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Key occasions
The European Cup Aston Villa lifted in 1982 is on show at Villa Park tonight. Followers have been lining as much as take a photograph with the trophy alongside Tony Morley, who was within the beginning group for Villa’s overcome Bayern Munich in 1982.
Opta has crunched the numbers and listed below are the standout stats for this match:
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Spurs have received 11 away Premier League video games at Villa Park. Solely away to Manchester Metropolis (12) have they got a greater file.
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Villa are unbeaten in 20 straight dwelling matches throughout all competitions, their finest streak in 48 years.
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Aston Villa re unbeaten of their final 20 dwelling video games in all competitions (W 14 D 6). They final had an extended run between September 1976 and Might 1977 (24).
Regardless of Tottenham’s make or break recreation of the season coming subsequent week, Ange Postecoglou stated he’ll “put out a group that hopefully will get the job performed” in opposition to Aston Villa and “go on the market to attempt to win the sport.”
The pinnacle coach stated tonight’s recreation may very well be an opportunity for his gamers to show themselves for the ultimate.
It’s a possibility for them to place their title ahead for the large recreation the next week as a result of, as we have now already seen previously couple of weeks, as a lot as you wish to suppose there is a perfect beginning line-up issues occur and gamers need to be prepared for that.
Marcus Rashford isn’t concerned tonight, as anticipated. The striker, on mortgage from Manchester United, has didn’t recuperate from a hamstring harm he suffered final month. Rashford can’t play in Villa’s closing recreation of the season at his guardian membership United on 25 Might.
Rashford has made 17 appearances for Villa, scoring 4 objectives, since becoming a member of from Outdated Trafford in February and earned an England recall in March after a 12-month absence. It’s unlikely he’ll play for United once more whereas Ruben Amorim is the top coach owing to a breakdown of their relationship. One other mortgage deal is an choice. Villa have a £40m choice to purchase the participant however his future stays unclear. Rashford has made clear he needs a Champions League membership and is reluctant to hitch a group in London.
In our 10 issues to look out for this weekend Ben Fisher wrote that Aston Villa may use their “anger” and the rescheduling of this fixture to inspire them to a win. The Premier League agreed to convey ahead Tottenham’s journey to Villa Park by 48 hours as a way to assist them put together for a Europa League closing (earlier than they even reached stated closing).
The flipside to all of that is Villa can get on the entrance foot, kicking off 45 minutes earlier than Chelsea entertain Manchester United and two days earlier than Nottingham Forest head to West Ham and Arsenal host Newcastle. Victory for Villa may hoist them as excessive as fourth earlier than a final-day journey to Outdated Trafford and, psychologically, that would show a knockout blow.
Learn extra from Ben and the remainder of our writers on what to maintain a watch out for this weekend.
Crew information
Aston Villa (4-2-3-1): Martínez; Money, Konsa, Torres, Maatsen; McGinn, Kamara; Onana, Asensio, Rogers; Watkins
Subs: Olsen, Diasi, Bogarde, Digne, García, Mings, Barkley, Bailey, Malen
Spurs (4-2-3-1): Kinsky; Spence, Danso, Davies, Reguilón; Grey, Sarr; Odobert, Son, Moore; Tel
Subs: Vicario, Porro, Bissouma, Cassanova, Bentancur, Olusesi, Johnson, Richarlison, Solanke
Referee: Peter Bankes
Preamble
Howdy and welcome to the penultimate matchday of the 2024-25 Premier League season. The champions have been determined. These going again to the Championship have been determined. However second place, Champions League spots and qualification for subsequent’s season’s Europa and Convention League nonetheless hold within the steadiness.
Aston Villa, who host Spurs tonight at Villa Park, have an outdoor probability of ending second however they would want to win tonight and their closing recreation of the season and hope a number of outcomes go their approach for that to occur.
As a substitute Unai Emery’s males shall be concentrating on a end within the prime 5 which ensures Champions League soccer subsequent season. Solely 5 factors at present separate Arsenal in second and Villa in sixth. As issues stand, Liverpool, Arsenal, Newcastle, Manchester Metropolis and Chelsea occupy the highest 5, however Villa together with Nottingham Forest are well-placed to capitalise on any slip ups.
As for Tottenham, full focus is understandably on the Europa League closing in opposition to Manchester United. Ange Postecoglou’s aspect are a lowly seventeenth within the desk and the supervisor will seemingly relaxation a lot of his starters tonight.
Be part of me for group information and buildup earlier than the 7.30pm BST kick-off. And, as all the time, be happy to ship me an e-mail along with your ideas, questions, predictions, complaints and rituals. I wish to hear all of it!
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