Tottenham v Aston Villa preview: Spurs look to extend winning run
Sunday 8 January 2017 14:32, UK
Tottenham will be looking for a sixth straight win when they host Aston Villa in the third round of the FA Cup on Sunday (kick-off 4pm).
Spurs have hit form over the festive period and ended Chelsea's 13-match winning run with a 2-0 victory on Wednesday.
Even though Mauricio Pochettino plans to make changes for the clash with Villa, he hopes Spurs can go on a cup run.
"We want to go far in this competition too," he said. "We need to assess the players. We have to try to take best decisions to help the players and team achieve big things and go into the next round.
"Not only physically but mentally, maybe some players need rest after different competitions. I'm sure we will make some changes. But I would like to go far. We need to trust all our players. It's a collective and we must make everyone feel important and part of our success and failure."
Villa are 12th in the Sky Bet Championship having won two, lost one and drawn one of their last four matches.
"We couldn't have asked for anything more difficult," said Villa boss Steve Bruce. "They are one of the best teams in this country - and probably in Europe."
Team news
Erik Lamela is Tottenham's only absentee as he is out with a hip injury and has been allowed to undergo treatment with his former club Roma to accelerate his recovery.
Spurs are expected to rest several key players, with Vincent Janssen, Harry Winks, Ben Davies and Kieran Trippier all likely to come in.
Goalkeeper Sam Johnstone could be in line to start for Aston Villa after joining on loan from Manchester United on Thursday.
Opta stats
These two sides last met in the FA Cup in 1992 when Aston Villa progressed to the fourth round after winning 1-0 in a third round replay at White Hart Lane.
Spurs have lost just one of their last 16 encounters in all competitions against Villa (W12 D3), winning eight of the last nine.
Tottenham failed to score in their most recent FA Cup outing at White Hart Lane (0-1 loss to Crystal Palace, Feb 2016), this is after scoring in 22 consecutive home games, netting 60 goals (2.7 goals per game).
Villa have progressed to the fourth round in seven of the last eight seasons, losing out to Sheffield United in 2014 after a 2-1 loss at Villa Park.
Spurs have kept just one clean sheet in their last nine FA Cup games, dating back to January 2013.
Charlie Nicholas' prediction
Mauricio Pochettino will make plenty of changes but I don't see an upset here either. Steve Bruce isn't an indecisive man and he won't expect anything here.
Vincent Janssen and Kevin Wimmer will come in and the full-backs will change. I'd be amazed if Spurs don't make at least eight changes.
I've got a strong feeling that Villa will make the play-offs and, while they might want to maintain momentum, it's a tremendously punishing division and Bruce will give a couple of players opportunities as well.
Charlie predicts: 3-0 and Vincent Jansen to score first (18/1 with Sky Bet)
