Final weekend’s win over Crystal Palace was overdue for Tottenham Hotspur after a tough stretch that successfully ended the hunt for fourth place. Champions League qualification was at all times an extended shot, but it surely seemed for a time frame that any European competitors was going to be tough to earn (which some, together with myself, are pleased with).
Nevertheless, these three factors make it practically sure that Spurs will end within the high seven, and maybe even sixth to snag a Europa League berth. Any kind of end result in opposition to Aston Villa, who sits simply three factors again, needs to be sufficient to maintain Tottenham forward given Villa’s last two fixtures: Liverpool and Brighton.
Even with a loss, Spurs are more likely to get extra factors in opposition to Brentford and Leeds than Villa will in its two, that means Saturday is just not essentially a must-win for these hoping for an additional competitors subsequent season, although a win particularly places that to mattress and will additionally go a great distance towards any effort to remain forward of Brighton.
Aston Villa (eighth, 54pts) vs. Tottenham Hotspur (sixth, 57pts)
Date: Saturday, Could 13
Time: 10:00 am ET, 3:00 pm UK
Location: Villa Park, Birmingham, England
TV: Peacock Premium (USA)
Villa has been a little bit of a nice shock this season, hovering close to the highest seven regardless of squarely midtable metrics. A shocking 8-2-0 stretch beginning in late February is what boosted the membership to the cusp of the European locations, however consecutive losses over the previous two weekends put a big damper on these possibilities.
Nonetheless, this season has been a hit and needs to be one thing to construct upon subsequent yr. Ollie Watkins ranks ninth with 14 targets scored, and the squad’s second half cost ought to present some optimism heading into the summer season. Nevertheless, the ultimate three fixtures are powerful, and it’s fairly doable the season ends on a little bit of a skid. Nonetheless, that ought to not fully erase the all positives.
Latest outcomes:
Spurs didn’t precisely dominate Palace, however a win is a win. Ryan Mason is displaying a bit extra flexibility in his ways, and whereas every little thing is certain to vary with a brand new supervisor subsequent fall, all supporters are in all probability prepared to maneuver onto one thing fully recent from the Antonio Conte/Cristian Stellini failures, so change is at all times welcome.
The most recent participant to get just a little revival was Emerson Royal, who put in a pleasant shift final weekend. It appears like adjustments are going to occur all throughout the backline, so these previous couple of matches are important for gamers like Royal, Clement Lenglet, and Ben Davies. Pedro Porro has an extended leash, however his growth is essential to this membership’s success, so a robust last month from him could be welcome as nicely.
In fact, the main target will proceed to be on the attacking band, with Richarlison proving his potential — with or with out precise targets — and Heung-Min Son calming down a few of the critics with an honest finish to the yr. All eyes stay most targeted on Harry Kane, although, as he climbs up the file books whereas additionally contemplating his future.