It’s been a season of peaks and troughs for Tottenham Hotspur so far, with the majority of their highs arriving on home soil.
Their Jekyll and Hyde nature was on full display over their previous two outings as they overcame Manchester City in the Carabao Cup just days after producing an utterly drab display at the winless Crystal Palace last weekend.
What iteration of Ange Postecoglou’s Lilywhites will be on display this weekend?
Aston Villa represent a tough challenge for Spurs, who are set to be without key recovery defender Micky van de Ven after he tweaked his hamstring in midweek.
Here’s how Sunday’s hosts could line up against Villa in what’s bound to be an enthralling Premier League fixture in north London.
GK: Guglielmo Vicario – He does put your heart in your mouth at times, but Vicario is at least showing a willingness to claim the high ball. He’s improving in possession, too. The Italian could be busy in this one.
RB: Pedro Porro – The Spaniard enjoyed some midweek respite as Archie Gray got the nod at right-back. Issues defending the back post aside, Porro has enjoyed a strong start to the season.
CB: Cristian Romero – Postecoglou hinted that fatigue played a role in Romero’s early withdrawal against Man City and the vice-captain should be fine to feature on Sunday. Tottenham desperately need him.
CB: Radu Dragusin – Dragusin was excellent in the week and will enjoy a decent run in the team following Van de Ven’s injury.
LB: Destiny Udogie – Just when you think he’s going to enjoy the night off, Dragusin gets himself sent off or Van de Ven’s hamstrings begin to twitch. Udogie can’t catch a break.
CM: Yves Bissouma – Postecoglou has a tough call in midfield with Rodrigo Bentancur and Pape Matar Sarr both impressing in midweek. Bissouma, though, was good off the bench and is likely to return to the starting XI.
CM: James Maddison – Had Maddison started Wednesday’s game, a double pivot with more legs may have been more likely in this one. However, with the Englishman failing to get on against City, he’ll surely get the nod on Sunday.
CM: Dejan Kulusevski – Tottenham’s star of the season so far was excellent again on Wednesday night and Villa’s primary aim will undoubtedly be limiting Kulusevski’s influence from between the lines.
RW: Brennan Johnson – The Welshman has gone cold after the October break, but he continues to find himself in positions to score. Don’t be surprised if he’s back on the scoresheet very soon.
ST: Dominic Solanke – Richarlison’s tidy midweek cameo offers Postecoglou an alternative up top, but he’s not going to be dropping Solanke for Villa’s visit. He’ll earn his night off in Istanbul next Thursday.
LW: Son Heung-min – Son terrorised West Ham for 15 minutes and dipped…seemingly. The Spurs skipper has missed the last three games through injury, but there’s hope he’ll be fit to start Sunday’s important clash.
