Nuno’s preview and team news ahead of Villa
Sat 02 October 2021, 10:45|
Tottenham Hotspur
Touched by the reception of our fans as he conducted post-match interviews after Thursday night’s 5-1 win against NS Mura, Nuno Espirito Santo reiterated the ‘home factor’ as we prepare to take on Aston Villa in the Premier League at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday (2pm).
“It means a lot, and we are very thankful, we all appreciate it,” said Nuno, speaking pitchside, before describing Sunday’s test as a ‘huge, huge, game’.
“Villa have a talented squad, a very good manager in Dean, so it’s a tough, tough task we have ahead of us on Sunday, 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.”
Villa stunned Old Trafford with a late winner against United last weekend. They played well and had chances to score before Kortney Hause’s goal in the 88th minute. United had 28 efforts on goal, but only four on target, and their day was compounded by Bruno Fernandes skying a penalty into the Stretford End in added time.
Nuno added: “Villa 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. We’re at home and we have to be strong.”
Team news
Nuno reported that Ben Davies missed our UEFA Europa Conference League win against NS Mura on Thursday evening due to an appendix issue.
He said: “Ben has a problem with inflammation on his appendix. He is being taken care of, had scans, but he was in pain. We wish that he recovers soon and can join us.”
Meanwhile, Steven Bergwijn, out since picking an injury at Stade Rennais on 16 September and Ryan Sessegnon, injured on international duty at the start of September, look unlikely to feature against Villa.
