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Spurs take Aston Villa midweek in their penultimate match of the 2020/21 Premier League season. The objective for the hosts is simple – win and stand a chance to play in the UEFA Champions League next season. Lose, and they drop down to the Europa League.
A spot in next season’s tournament is at stake for Spurs. They need to win maximum points from their remaining matches and hope that Chelsea and Liverpool slip up. Should they lose their match against Aston Villa, the numerical difference between them and the leading pack will be unassailable which, in turn, could further impact Kane’s future.
Aston Villa are fighting for a top ten finish. The Villains are eleventh at the moment: a marked improvement from last season when they avoided the drop on the final matchday. Nonetheless, recent results have snatched the opportunity of European qualification from them, with a top-half finish now the focus. The Villains are four points behind tenth-placed Leeds United at the moment and need to win both of their matches to leapfrog them in the table. They take on Chelsea in their final game of the season.
Key Players
The news currently circulating regarding the future of Harry Kane will certainly displease Spurs’ fans. It has been revealed that the Englishman has repeatedly asked the club to be allowed to leave this summer. Nevertheless, before any further decision on his future can be taken, Kane must focus on the task at hand. His job is to get Tottenham to the Champions League, and his goals and assists this season have ensured that they remain in contention going into the final two matchdays.
Like Kane, Gareth Bale’s future at Spurs remains unclear. Bale returned this summer on a one-year loan deal from Real Madrid, although it remains to be seen whether the player or the club is keen to make his stay permanent. The Welshman has hit form for Tottenham lately, despite starting slowly. He has scored 14 goals across all competitions and has had a hand in two assists.
Thanks to his current form, Ollie Watkins will be watching keenly when Gareth Southgate announces his 26-man squad for the UEFA Euros. The striker was called up to the National Team in the previous international window – a key milestone in a fantastic individual season. Watkins has had a hand in 20 goals for Aston Villa this season, scoring 15 and assisting 5. He has been key for his side lately, with talisman Jack Grealish out injured for some time.
Villa were able to hit the mark with all of their summer signings ahead of the 2020/21 season – partially the reason behind their success this term. Bertrand Traore was one of the players who arrived at Villa Park last summer. The Burkina Faso international had had a stint in the Premier League previously with Chelsea, although Villa provided him the opportunity to play more regularly. Traore responded by scoring seven goals across all competitions and supplying five assists.
Prediction
The news and analysis around Tottenham will likely be focused on Kane from here on out. It is a development that could have lasting implications for Spurs and whoever steps up to sign him – if they are allowed to by Daniel Levy in the first place. As such, it is easy to forget that the London outfit will duly be involved in two of their most important games this season. Lose either of them, and they are out of the running for the UEFA Champions League.
The match against Aston Villa midweek will decide whether Ryan Mason’s squad is a contender for the top four spots heading into the final matchday. Spurs are the slight favorites in this match, owing to their superior squad strength. However, results of late have been mixed, with a win over Wolves following a loss against Leeds United. They are unpredictable even when they shouldn’t be.
Aston Villa, meanwhile, have suffered in the absence of their talismanic captain, Jack Grealish. Whether the Englishman remains at the club for another season is another major question altogether. The Villains lost their latest league match 3-2 against Crystal Palace but have the capacity to spring a surprise over Spurs.
