Aston Villa vs Tottenham LIVE: Premier League team news and line-ups as Pedro Porro and Pau Torres return

Unai Emery spoke to Sky earlier, and the Spaniard praised Spurs’ “very offensive” style, calling them “fantastic”.

“We have to try manage the 90 minutes because the physical aspect is going to be important as they [players] demand a lot of what they are facing.

“We are being more consistent. We lost two matches to Manchester United and Newcastle United. It’s important to analyse ourselves and develop ourselves.

“We have to try show our potential and capacity against this team.”

Ange Postecoglou is speaking to Sky Sports.

“We know it’s a big game and it’s a team directly above us, they are a good side and these games are a good challenge – there is plenty of football still to be played,” he says.

“They try to condense the pitch. If we can sort of play the game in their half it negates that a little bit.”

Regarding his decision to replace Werner with Brennan Johnson, the Australian says: “I think we need the balance today and Brennan has done well for us recently”.

Villa frontman Ollie Watkins has been directly involved in 26 Premier League goals this season, which is the most of any player in the competition so far.

Spurs meanwhile are on a club record run of scoring in 38 consecutive matches, which stretches back to 4 March 2023 (a 1-0 defeat to Wolves).

The home side make three changes to the side that started the 0-0 draw against Ajax.

John McGinn, Leon Bailey and Matty Cash all start for the hosts, taking the place of Moussa Diaby, Morgan Rogers and Tim Iroegbunam.

Spurs make three changes to the team that started the comeback win against Crystal Palace.

Pedro Porro starts for the first time in a month after a muscle injury, while Brennan Johnson and Pape Matar Sarr also come back in. Emerson Royal, Rodrigo Bentancur and Timo Werner drop to the bench.

Here’s how the two sides line up this afternoon.

ASTON VILLA XI: Martinez; Konsa, Lenglet, Torres; Digne, Cash, McGinn, Douglas Luiz; Bailey, Tielemans; Watkins.

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR XI: Vicario; Porro, Romero, van de Ven, Udogie; Sarr, Bissouma, Maddison; Kulusevski, Son, Johnson.

Before the teams are released, a reminder of each side’s league position.

Villa sit in fourth – in the last Champions League qualification place – while Spurs sit five points behind them in fifth.

The home side have 55 points and Spurs have 50, though the North London side have a game in hand. Both sides have a comfortable lead on Manchester United and West Ham, who are in sixth and seventh on 47 and 42 points respectively.

Spurs’ next three games are against Fulham, Luton and West Ham, while Villa face West Ham, Wolves and Manchester City.

Villa are favourites for the game with the bookies, with a home win offered at 31/20. A draw is offered at 3/1, while an away win is at 8/5.

Villa are also favoured in the top four race, priced at 4/5 compared to Spurs’ 11/10.

Villa have beaten Spurs in three successive Premier League meetings for the first time since between 1994 and 1996. Villa won home and away last season, and won 2-1 away in November 2023, with goals from Pau Torres and Ollie Watkins.

Spurs will be hoping to avoid back-to-back away league defeats against Villa for the first time since 2004.