Aston Villa vs. Tottenham: Key Issues and Decisions That Will Shape EPL Game
Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur will both hope to turn the corner on Sunday after a rough few weeks between them. Both clubs' managers have spoken this week about their belief in their respective teams' ability to do just that in the upcoming Premier League clash.
"I'm sure on Sunday we will come out here with a reaction," Villa's boss Paul Lambert told AVFC.co.uk's Paul Brown after Monday's loss to Queens Park Rangers left them without a win in five games. "The confidence will be fine."
His counterpart Mauricio Pochettino described this week as "a good point to move forward" for Tottenham after consecutive league losses.
"I think we haven’t luck in different games because I think we deserve more points on the table that reflects our situation, but it’s a period that we need to be strong," Pochettino reflected at his press conference prior to the League Cup win over Brighton & Hove Albion. "We need to be calm and follow in our way, work hard. Because we are sure that this dynamic will change."
Over the following pages we examine the key issues and decisions that will shape this contest between two sides decidedly hungry for three points.
Quotes obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted.
Villa Continue Goal Hunt as Lambert Takes Pressure off Benteke
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The initial positivity generated by the 10 points earned in their opening four matches has since fallen away for Aston Villa. Since beating Liverpool 1-0 at Anfield, Villa have lost five in a row without scoring.
The 13 goals they conceded in those games has not painted a flattering picture of the Villa defence either. As Bleacher Report's Adam Bundy pointed out, a lack of continuity in the position has proved detrimental.
But those at the back have not been helped by their team-mates up front.
Lambert's side held firm for 82 minutes at home against Manchester City before the champions scored twice late on. In a more "winnable" game, they fell behind to QPR on Monday, but had chances to equalise before Charlie Austin sealed the win with his second of the night.
Christian Benteke was involved in arguably the best opportunities. The striker headed just wide from a deep Ashley Westwood cross on 20 minutes. In the second half, he beat Richard Dunne in the air to knock the ball down for Ciaran Clark, who might have done better from six yards.
Benteke—who scored 34 goals in his first two seasons in England—has already looked like his team's most potent attacking weapon, despite just returning from injury. Lambert has been keen to take the pressure off him, though, even though he has probably realised his team's health might hinge on the Belgium international leading the way.
"The injury he had was really severe," Lambert told BBC Sport, referencing the ruptured Achilles Benteke suffered in April. "He might have to wait for six or seven games before he's really up to speed."
"I know we'll be alright in that department because when Benteke comes up to speed, and with Gabriel Agbonlahor, Andreas Weimann, Charles N'Zogbia and Darren Bent, we've guys with goals in them. That'll happen."
Lambert's optimism about the rest of his attacking options might not be matched by Villa supporters, given their recent struggles. Perhaps he will be proved right at Villa Park this weekend.
Will Villa's Recent Tottenham Hoodoo Continue?
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That Darren Bent was Tottenham's striker the last time they lost to Aston Villa shows just how long ago it was.
The Villa side that beat them 2-1 in September 2008 featured Brad Friedel, James Milner, Stiliyan Petrov and Ashley Young. Of the 11 league meetings with Spurs since then, they have recorded just three points—in part a reflection of the decrease in quality at the club since Martin O'Neill's tenure.
That is a bigger issue in itself. However, as it relates to Sunday's game, breaking this hoodoo would show the team shares its manager's expectations. Lambert told his club's official website:
"It's a tough game, a really tough game. I thought Tottenham were a good team last year and nothing has changed my opinion this year. They are one of the top sides. But we are at home and we have to put a show on.
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Given Villa lost three times to Spurs last season, Lambert knows only too well the quality of this Tottenham team. Two of the players who helped put his team to the sword last season, Paulinho and Roberto Soldado, might not even be starting this time.
The Scot will also know Spurs are going through a rough patch of their own as they work to establish their identity under Pochettino's management. There might not be a better time for Villa to end the bad run against them and record a much-needed win this season.
Or as Lambert put it, "to put a show on."
Can Tottenham Find Their Match-Winning Mentality?
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"Mentality" has been the watchword around Tottenham since their loss to Newcastle, brought up by Pochettino himself post-match.
"We need to work hard in our mentality," the head coach said. "Because it is not tactical, it is not physical, it is concentration and mentality. We need to work hard. We need to be more strong, like a team. This is our challenge."
It could be argued Pochettino underestimated the relationships between these areas, but he was right about the team's mentality at least somewhat underpinning everything.
Speaking prior to the Brighton game, the Argentinian admitted it would take "more time to change the habits" here. Lapses in concentration have been the most obvious problem throughout the season. Against Newcastle, Pochettino also viewed his players' response after they conceded, trying "to fix the problem, but in an individual way," as in need of addressing.
He was also keen to point out the youth of his team, and that cultivating a winning mentality would come from continuing to work on the game plan he has set out, even if there are some bumps along the way.
"Our style is to always play, always our philosophy is to take a risk when you play because if you saw the goal that we scored against Newcastle we start to play [like that].
This is our style. We believe in this style. For improvement you need time on our style. It is true that we conceded a goal. To pass and to build from the back is not easy. Sometimes a rash decision to play. This is the process we need to understand.
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Things have not worked out in the last two league games against Manchester City and Newcastle. Even so, the evidence was there that Spurs are a good side in the making under Pochettino. What made the defeat at the hands of the Magpies all the more frustrating was that the Lilywhites had played so well in the first half.
Stick or Twist for Pochettino
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Part of the process of finding that winning mentality may have to include Pochettino making changes to his team.
Ahead of the League Cup earlier this week, the 42-year-old emphasised that he had to balance his resources on the three fronts Tottenham are battling. "I understand that the Premier League maybe for all is the most important competition. But I need to pick in every game."
After another good cup display in midweek against Brighton, though, cases have been made by players there to get their chance in the league. It leaves the coaching staff with some big decisions to make, specifically whether to stick or twist.
Consistency has its merits, particularly in defence where Spurs have not been as stable as many would have hoped. A slight dilemma has appeared at right-back where the fit-again Kyle Naughton impressed on Wednesday. He had played well prior to his injury, and Pochettino must decide whether to recall him or stick with Eric Dier.
The young defender getting caught out for Sammy Ameobi's equaliser last week will not be held against him. Still, his head coach will have to judge whether it is best to allow Dier to try and regain his confidence quickly, or move him out in favour of Naughton's comparative experience.
Further up the pitch, good cup performances from players such as Mousa Dembele, Harry Kane, Soldado and Benjamin Stambouli will have had some of Spurs' less consistent or effective league performers sweating over their places.
Straight swaps could be in the cards within the 4-2-3-1 formation that has been predominantly used in the league (for instance, the in-form Kane who netted his eighth goal this week for the quieter Emmanuel Adebayor).
Or changes could be made to facilitate alterations to this setup that do not sacrifice the core principals of Pochettino's philosophy (a move to two recognised strikers up front perhaps, or reshaping the midfield).
As noted earlier, Pochettino described this week as "a good point to move forward." The nature of how he intends to that will become apparent at Villa Park.
