Tottenham vs. Aston Villa: Team News, Predicted Lineups, Live Stream and TV Info

Tottenham welcome former boss Tim Sherwood and his new team, the relegation battling Aston Villa, to White Hart Lane this weekend in a clash that promises to be explosive. 

Sherwood is an acolyte of attacking football. Not one to focus on defensive organisation, or any organisation for that matter, the new Villa boss prefers to overwhelm his opponent. 

Spurs are in a funny position. Their major goal of Champions League football is likely out of reach at this point and host the desperate Villans; their motivation will be put to the test. 

In the reverse fixture, Villa were hard done by. Beaten by an unbelievably deflected Harry Kane free-kick after having been controversially reduced to 10 men. It seemed the sort of heroic defeat that defines the season of relegated clubs. 

This time around, Villa's season is on the line and Spurs stand in their way. Tottenham will need to be far better than they were against their last claret-clad opposition. The goalless draw with Burnley last weekend was a lame way to essentially give up on the quest for the top four. 

Sherwood needs to win this game, and he can if he targets the obvious weaknesses of his former club. 

Spurs are weak defensively, lack an effective midfield screen and look short on pace. Villa can defend deep, break hard and expose Tottenham. The presence of Christian Benteke as well as the absence of Hugo Lloris bring these two sides closer together. 

Form Lines 

Tottenham: Burnley 0-0 Spurs Spurs 4-3 Leicester Man Utd 3-0 Spurs QPR 1-3 Spurs  Spurs 3-2 Swansea  Aston Villa:  Villa 3-3 QPR Man Utd 3-1 Villa  Villa 0-1 Swansea  Sunderland 0-4 Villa  Villa 2-0 West Brom (FA Cup) 

Live Stream & TV Info

UK: Kick-off 3 p.m. BST Match not broadcast live. Highlights on Match of the Day BBC One, 10:30 p.m.  USA: Kick-off 10 a.m. ET. NBC SportsExtra. 

Predicted Formations 

BleacherReport.com

These are some likely lineups for this weekend's Premier League clash at White Hart Lane. If Kyle Walker misses out through injury, he'll be replaced by Vlad Chiriches, while Andros Townsend could possibly start ahead of Erik Lamela. 

Player to Watch per side 

If Mauricio Pochettino chooses to omit last week's most disappointing performers, Paulinho and Nacer Chadli, both Erik Lamela and Mousa Dembele are likely to return to the lineup. 

This pair are not certain of being part of Pochettino's team next season, although both are likely to stay, so impressive performances from both or either of them could be important in securing their future at White Hart Lane. 

Dembele's capacity to retain possession in high traffic areas will be crucial against the double-block of Sanchez and Delph. He bounces off defenders with ease and he should be able to use his strength to bring teammates into the game. 

Lamela just needs some more highlight moments to secure his place in the team. He was an important player for Pochettino earlier in the season but has dropped out of the first-team picture in recent months.

For Aston Villa, the hat-trick hero from Tuesday night's 3-3 draw with QPR Christian Benteke is the key man. He has been marked out as the man to save Villa from relegation and he will be key to their hopes of upsetting Spurs and keeping their season alive.

Key Battle  

The clash between Christian Benteke and Spurs' underperforming defence will decide this clash. If Benteke can't bring his power to bear, Spurs will find a way to win. If he is able to, Villa can take three points away from White Hart Lane.

Spurs have fought hard this season but they look tired and demotivated. They aren't up for a battle. Benteke can take this game away from Spurs. 

Odds 

Tottenham are firm favourites to beat Aston Villa. Oddsshark has them at 1.62 to win with Villa at 5.45. Harry Kane is at 3s to open the scoring while Benteke is at 8/1, according to Oddschecker. Both represent decent bets but Benteke's longer odds probably make him a better bet.