Thomas Frank set for next Tottenham challenge as big contrast exposes key flaw amid positive start | OneFootball

Tottenham have struggled at home in the Premier League since victory in the corresponding fixture last season

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Southampton went crashing down to the Championship, Burnley have just come up from the second tier, and United were just about the only team Spurs could be confident of beating last season.

Ange Postecoglou was in charge for most of those home woes, but it has not exactly been a flying start under Thomas Frank either.

After easing past Burnley on the opening weekend of the season, Spurs were deservedly beaten by Bournemouth and then just about scraped a point against bottom-of-the-table Wolves.

By contrast, Spurs have won three of their four Premier League away matches, drawing the other, and have the best record in the division.

Despite a largely positive start under Frank, there has been a tense edge to much of the action on home soil. Spurs have rarely been at their fluent best, often either trailing or holding a narrow lead, and anxiety has grown around the stadium.

That has been audible when Guglielmo Vicario has made mistakes with his distribution or when fans feel the ball has not been progressed quickly enough up the pitch. There were boos at full-time after both the Bournemouth and Wolves matches.

Frank made a point in his press conference on Friday of calling for the Spurs fans to stick with the team when they are struggling.

Joao Palhinha rescued a point for Tottenham at home to Wolves last month

AFP via Getty Images

"We need the fans, especially, especially in the tough moments," Frank said.

"So we need that. But when our fans are behind the team and the stadium is rocking, I think it's one of the best places in the world."

The onus is on Spurs to make a fast start against Villa and ensure any tension does not build. There have been glimpses of the attacking unit starting to click into gear and a more cohesive performance going forward would make a big difference to the mood in the stands.

Particularly under Frank, Spurs are more comfortable away from home, when the pressure is not on them to take the game to the opposition. This is a side that backs themselves to sit solidly in their shape and wait for their moments on the counter or from set-pieces.

A more ambitious gameplan is needed for most home matches and that is the next challenge for Frank.

The Spurs boss accepted his players must raise the excitement levels, but he also wants to seem them "guided" by supporters rather than "shouted at". Unless the home form improves significantly, that feels far from guaranteed.

"It's very rare you play a perfect game throughout the season," Frank said.

"I've said before, play 60 [matches], play ten perfect games. So that means there's 50 left where we can't excite every single minute.

But when our fans are behind the team and the stadium is rocking, I think it's one of the best places in the world

Thomas Frank

"I'm very aware that we also need to play positive and attacking and happy football, whatever you call it, that can get people off their seat.

"I think that's very important as well. So that, of course, we need to do what we can. I also think we need to bring energy from ourselves.

"But I also think it's fair to say when it's not going well enough, we need their help. That's very simple. So I don't know how you react, if you want to be shouted at or want to be guided. So I think it's the same with any other player."