Aston Villa vs Tottenham predictions: Spurs unlikely to offer much at Villa
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- Aston Villa have scored at least twice in seven of their last eight home games
- Tottenham have picked up just one point from their last five games
- Recommended bet: Aston Villa - 0-1 3-way handicap
Aston Villa have a chance to break into the top five on Friday night, at least temporarily, as they welcome Tottenham to Villa Park.
While Villa are battling for a place in the Champions League, Spurs have nothing left to play for in domestically and they will view Friday’s game as a dead-rubber, at best.
This is Tottenham’s final fixture before next week’s Europa League final showdown with Manchester United and they will not want to expend too much effort, or risk any further injuries, in the West Midlands.
Team news
Villa will be without on-loan forward Marcus Rashford on Friday and midfielder Youri Tielemans is expected to sit out again after missing the win at Bournemouth.
Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou is expected to heavily rotate his starting XI ahead of next week’s final with United, although he will give a few of his key men minutes against Villa — either from the start or from the bench — to ensure they stay sharp and fit ahead of the big Europa showdown.
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Dejan Kulusevski may not be risked after he was forced off early in the defeat to Crystal Palace last time out.
The stats
Villa have won their last seven home games across all competitions.
Villa score on average 1.8 goals per-game at Villa Park in the Premier League.
Tottenham have managed just five points from their last 10 league games.
Four of Spurs’ last five Premier League losses have been by more than one goal.
Prediction
Aston Villa have a great chance to put some pressure on their rivals for a top five finish by claiming three points against Tottenham on Friday, and it is an opportunity they are unlikely to let slip away.
Chelsea sit fifth and they also play on Friday, but Newcastle and Nottingham Forest do not play until Sunday and Manchester City are not in league action this weekend due to the FA Cup final on Saturday. Therefore, a win for Villa would put them inside the top five for a period, whatever happens over the rest of the weekend.
The hosts have a clear goal, while Spurs will be looking to save their energy for next week’s Europa League final.
Tottenham’s league form has been woeful for some time as they have concentrated on their European quest and they are unlikely to change tact at this critical stage.
Villa have been in fine scoring form at home and Tottenham should offer very little resistance, with the hosts looking capable of winning with a -1 start against a Spurs side who may treat this game more as a training exercise.
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