Notebook – Spurs v Aston Villa

This afternoon, we return to Premier League action with Aston Villa making the trip to N17 (2pm kick-off).

Here in the Notebook, take a look at the fixture’s key points of note.

1 - Defeating the Villans

Our recent record over Aston Villa is a strong one. In our last 12 meetings in the Premier League, we have come out on top in 10. However, our most recent encounter did end up in defeat, as we fell to a 2-1 home loss to the Villans back in May.

2 - Targeting Villa

When we face Villa, we usually find the back of the net. Just once in our last 16 league meetings against the West Midlands side have we failed to score – that was a 1-0 defeat at White Hart Lane in April, 2015.

3 - Capital fortunes

Despite having historically struggled on their Premier League trips to London, in recent times, Villa have enjoyed a strong run of form in the capital. Having enjoyed just three wins in 29 top-flight fixtures in London prior to the start of the 2020/21 season, they have since won three of their seven away games in the capital.

4 - In-form Ings

Danny Ings has been a real thorn in our side in recent seasons. In his last six appearances against us in all competitions, the England frontman has six goals to his name, including four in his last three. However, it is worth noting that Ings has been on the losing side in four of the five games he has scored against us, including in each of the last three.

5 - Nuno on Villa

To get the better of Aston Villa this afternoon, Nuno believes our focus will have to be solely on our own game.

“Villa have a talented squad, a very good manager in Dean (Smith),” he said to Spurs TV as he looked ahead to today’s game. “They are a team that plays good football, but also very solid, so a tough opponent. They have energy in the midfield, they are stable behind, good players up front. We’ve analysed Villa as a whole but now, more than anything, we have to be focussed on ourselves and what we have to do to be better.

“It’s a tough, tough task we have ahead of us, but we will be ready. We have to improve a lot of aspects in our game but at home, in front of our fans, let’s play a good game.”

6 - Team news: Davies out of Villa clash?

Ben Davies looks likely to miss today’s clash with Aston Villa. The full-back was not in the squad for Thursday night’s 5-1 win over NS Mura due to an appendix issue. Steven Bergwijn and Ryan Sessegnon remain doubtful.

7 - Nuno’s Villa record

Nuno Espirito Santo has enjoyed a strong record against Aston Villa since first facing them at the start of the 2019/20 season. Taking on the men in claret and blue four times in his career, all coming during his tenure at Wolves, Nuno has lost just once, winning twice and drawing the other.

8 - All or nothing

It has been 13 Premier League games at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium since we last recorded a draw – a 1-1 draw with Fulham in January, earlier this year. Since then, we have won eight and lost five of our 13 outings.

9 - Sonny on song

Heung-Min Son has once again enjoyed a strong start to a league campaign. So far this term, our South Korean star has three goals to his name in the Premier League and two of them have come at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. At our stunning home, our number seven has been involved in 10 goals in his last 11 appearances (six goals, four assists).

10 - Kane’s Villa hits

Fresh off the back of his midweek hat-trick against NS Mura, Harry Kane will be looking to open his account in the Premier League this weekend – especially as we’re facing an opponent which he enjoys scoring against. In eight top flight appearances against Aston Villa, Harry has found the back of the net seven times, including his memorable last-minute free-kick against Villa back in November, 2014. He has also scored six times in his last five outings against the Villans.