After a favourable result yesterday, Tottenham can boost their hopes of preserving their Premier League status when they take on Champions League-chasing Aston Villa this evening.
Spurs won their first league game of 2026 last weekend and know if they can follow that up with another victory in the Midlands, the reward will be to climb out of the bottom three after West Ham were heavily beaten by Brentford.
Villa's upcoming Europa League semi-final second leg may prove a factor, though Unai Emery's side know they can all-but confirm a top-five finish with a win.
Follow the game LIVE below with our dedicated match blog, featuring expert insight and analysis from Sam Tabuteau.
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Roberto De Zerbi says he does not know if James Maddison will be able to play for Tottenham between now and the end of the season.
Maddison has been out since August with an anterior cruciate ligament injury suffered during the final game of Spurs’ pre-season tour of Asia.
The 29-year-old has not played a competitive fixture in exactly a year - Spurs’ Europa League semi-final first-leg against Bodo Glimt - but has been named on the bench in each of their last two games.
De Zerbi has been hesitant to say that Maddison is fit enough to play in Spurs’ remaining four games, instead suggesting that he has been providing a leadership role within the squad.
Tottenham forward who will 'star' in relegation scrap
Roberto De Zerbi has hinted that Mathys Tel could play a starring role for Tottenham in the final month of the Premier League season.
Tel has struggled for minutes this season after signing permanently from Bayern Munich last summer, following an initial six-month loan.
The 21-year-old has yet to start under De Zerbi, having also failed to nail down a regular starting berth under Igor Tudor and Thomas Frank.
He could, however, be handed an opportunity for more minutes following the news that Xavi Simons will miss the remainder of the season with an anterior cruciate ligament injury.
Roberto De Zerbi delivers impassioned rallying cry
Roberto De Zerbi remains adamant Tottenham have what it takes to win their remaining Premier League games as he delivered an impassioned rallying cry ahead of another crunch clash in the relegation fight.
Before last weekend’s 1-0 win over Wolves, Spurs’ first league win in 118 days, De Zerbi had insisted that his side were capable of winning each of their last five games.
Speaking ahead of visiting Aston Villa, he delivered a passionate monologue, detailing the negative coverage around the club and how it was his job to ensure none of that filtered into the dressing room.
Tottenham handed huge relegation boost as West Ham thrashed
West Ham’s Premier League survival is no longer in their own hands after Brentford boosted their European bid with a 3-0 win.
The Hammers, who could have moved five points clear of trouble with a victory, will now find themselves back in the bottom three if Tottenham beat Aston Villa on Sunday.
Brentford looked ripe for the taking having not won in six matches, but they have become West Ham’s bogey team since they were promoted and have now won eight of their 10 Premier League meetings.
Richarlison took Dominic Solanke’s place against Wolves, and the Brazilian is expected to start at Villa Park.
Rumours suggesting that Randal Kolo Muani has suffered a hamstring injury are believed to be inaccurate, and the French forward is expected to bolster Roberto De Zerbi’s attacking options.
Without Xavi Simons, De Zerbi has a decision to make about who replaces him.
He could opt to risk James Maddison, who has been named on the bench in the last two games, but has not played a competitive game in nearly a year.
Predicted Tottenham XI (4-2-3-1): Kinsky; Porro, Danso, Van de Ven, Spence; Bentancur, Bissouma; Kolo Muani, Bergvall, Tel; Richarlison.
Roberto De Zerbi has said Pape Matar Sarr is available to start against Aston Villa on Sunday, though he is yet to pick his starting lineup.
Spurs can drag themselves out of the relegation zone with a win at Villa Park, after West Ham’s derby loss to Brentford.
Sarr has been not appeared for Tottenham since the 1-0 defeat by Sunderland on De Zerbi’s debut with the club.
He has since been sidelined with a shoulder injury.
De Zerbi revealed on Friday, though, that he has returned to full first-team training and could be in from the off as injury-ravaged Spurs chase a vital three points.
Tottenham have new hope in relegation fight
But Roberto De Zerbi wants to “silence the voice inside of us” and focus on “ourselves and the quality of my players” heading into the final month of the season.
Even after recording their first Premier League win of the calendar year against Wolves last weekend, the overwhelming feeling around the club has once again been one of negativity.
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Source: This article was originally published by Evening Standard
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