Tottenham XI vs Aston Villa: Confirmed team news, predicted lineup, injury latest for Premier League

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Evening Standard

·15 May 2025

Tottenham XI vs Aston Villa: Confirmed team news, predicted lineup, injury latest for Premier League

Ange Postecoglou has lost yet another attackign star ahead of the Europa League final

Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou faces a difficult balancing act for Friday's rearranged visit to Aston Villa in the Premier League, which comes just five days before the season-defining Europa League Final against Manchester United in Bilbao.

Postecoglou has suggested he cannot afford to risk any more injuries after Dejan Kulusevski had surgery on his knee cap on Wednesday, joining Lucas Bergvall (ankle) and James Maddison (knee) on the sidelines.

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But the Australian will want to get minutes into some of his stars, particularly as only three players from the XI for the Europa League semi-final decider - including Kulusevski - kept their places for the 2-0 defeat to Crystal Palace last weekend.

The absence of Spurs' three creative midfielders is a major concern ahead of the final and Pape Matar Sarr, who is likely to fill in at No10 in Spain, likely needs the game-time against the Champions League-chasing Villains.

Postecoglou has said Heung-min Son will be involved after the South Korean returned from a foot injury for the 2-0 defeat to Crystal Palace last time out and the Spurs captain is set to play a half.

"He'll definitely play tomorrow, whether we start with him or not we'll have a look at," Postecoglou said of Son. "He reacted well to playing the other day, no issues with his foot, he's trained well. If not a starter, he'll definitely play at least half the game."

Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven will be vital to Spurs' chances against United and could play 45 minutes each at Villa Park, while right-back Pedro Porro is likely to be protected for the final.

Rodrigo Bentancur and Yves Bissouma may also share duties against Unai Emery's side, with Archie Gray pushing for another midfield start. Dominic Solanke and Brennan Johnson could be rested, paving the way for another opportunity for Wilson Odobert.

Richarlison, whose chances of starting the final have been lessened by Son's return to fitness, is pushing to play through the middle, while Mathys Tel is likely to be Son's understudy.

Timo Werner is sidelined with a hamstring injury, Dane Scarlett will miss the rest of the season after groin surgery and Radu Dragusin (knee) remains out.

Tottenham predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Vicario; Spence, Romero, Danso, Udogie; Bissouma, Gray, Sarr; Odobert, Son. Richarlison

Injured: Kulusevski, Bergvall, Maddison, Dragusin, Werner, Scarlett

Time and date: 7.30pm on Friday, May 16, 2025

Venue: Villa Park

TV channel: Sky Sports