Aston Villa vs Tottenham Hotspur: Premier League team news and preview

With five days to go before the big European night, Tottenham Hotspur take a quick trip to Birmingham to face Aston Villa, hoping to head to Bilbao with a bit of momentum.

It’s hardly been a week since the 2-0 second-leg win over Bodo/Glimt in Norway, and it’s already been a chaotic one for Spurs. With two domestic fixtures squeezed in before the final, one already lost 2-0 to Crystal Palace, this upcoming clash is more of a formality for what will likely be a heavily rotated Tottenham team.

Aston Villa, on the other hand, are throwing everything into the final days of the campaign. Their entire season rests on winning the next two games and hoping results elsewhere allow them to secure Champions League qualification.

What time does Aston Villa vs Tottenham Hotspur kick off?

Location: Birmingham, England
Stadium: Villa Park
Date: Friday 16th May 2025
Kick-off Time: 7:30 pm BST
Referee: Peter Bankes
VAR: James Bell

How both teams go into Aston Villa vs Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham come into this one off the back of their home defeat to Crystal Palace (0-2), a performance that left fans unimpressed. Though the game held little significance, the Eagles – who also have a final to play – still looked far dominant, unlike Spurs. Before that was the 2-0 triumph in Norway (5-1 agg) which confirmed their place in the Europa League final against Manchester United.

With just one point from their last five league games, Ange Postecoglou’s side sit 17th in the table, just about clear of relegation danger – although the final looms far larger than domestic positioning now.

As for Villa, their supporters were vocally displeased about the fixture change, which handed Spurs a few extra days of rest before their final. One might call it jealousy, considering they’re set to finish the season trophyless after crashing out of the FA Cup semi-finals with a 3-0 defeat to Crystal Palace.

Unai Emery’s men do have some wind in their sails, though, after back-to-back 1-0 wins over Fulham and Bournemouth. They currently sit sixth, only behind Chelsea on goal difference, and are unbeaten in their last 20 home matches across all competitions. With two more victories and a bit of luck elsewhere, the Champions League is still in reach.

Tottenham’s head-to-head record vs Aston Villa

Aston Villa have won three of their last five Premier League games against Tottenham, though they’ve lost the last two. That’s more victories than they managed in their previous 21 against Spurs, where they went W2 D3 L16.

Tottenham have only won more Premier League away games against Manchester City (12) than they have against Aston Villa (11). In their last 9 visits to Birmingham, Spurs have left with 3 points in 8 of them.

These two have met twice this season already. The reverse fixture saw Tottenham storm back in the second half to win 4-1. However, the FA Cup 4th Round clash ended in a 2-1 defeat for the Lilywhites.

Interestingly, the last 22 meetings between these two sides have produced no draws.

Tottenham team news

Tottenham suffered a huge blow in their recent defeat to Palace, losing their only available No.10 – Dejan Kulusevski. The club confirmed that Kulusevski has undergone knee surgery and that means he won’t feature in Bilbao.

Captain Heung-min Son made his return off the bench in that same fixture and looked sharp. Expect him to build minutes ahead of Bilbao.

Ange Postecoglou has already indicated there’ll be no risks taken, and that key players will be “wrapped in cotton wool.” We expect sweeping changes for this one.

Longer-term absentees include Lucas Bergvall, Radu Dragusin, and James Maddison.

Aston Villa team news

Midfielder Jacob Ramsey is suspended after picking up two yellow cards against Bournemouth. Meanwhile, Manchester United loanee Marcus Rashford remains out with a hamstring issue.

Youri Tielemans remains a doubt after missing the last match due to a knock.

Predicted Tottenham line-up

Kinsky, Spence, Danso, Davies, Reguilon, Gray, Bissouma, Sarr, Odobert, Son, Moore

Kinsky started the previous game against Palace and could keep his spot, although Guglielmo Vicario remains an option.

The backline could see Cristian Romero and Pedro Porro swapped in for Davies and Reguilon to maintain some stability, though rotation is likely to be the theme.

Midfield remains light, and at least one starter from the final may have to feature unless Ange throws in a few academy names like Damola Ajayi, Luca Williams Barnett, or Callum Olusesi.

Up top, Mathys Tel or Richarlison are expected to lead the line in the final, so Son could get more minutes now. This could also be Timo Werner’s last dance in a Spurs shirt – something, at the very least, is likely.

Our prediction

Keep an eye on Mikey Moore. The youngster has impressed in recent cameos and looks hungry for his first league goal.

Truth be told, most Spurs fans won’t mind if this one doesn’t go their way. If there’s a time to stink up the pitch, better now than in Bilbao. That said, a win could see them jump to 14th depending on results for West Ham, Manchester United, and Wolves. A defeat keeps them parked in 17th.

Villa have all the motivation here. They’re at home, they’re unbeaten in 20 there, and they’re playing for a shot at the Champions League. But wouldn’t it be something to dash their hopes in their own backyard, especially after all that whining about the fixture switch?

Predicted score: Aston Villa 1-2 Tottenham Hotspur

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