FA Cup: Villa and Spurs Meet in an All-Premier Clash

Aston Villa vs Tottenham Hotspur

The oldest cup competition in the world is back on this weekend and FA Cup: Aston Villa vs Tottenham is one of the SBOTOP picks of the Fourth Round.

At eighth and 14^th in the Premier League table neither team are where they really want to be. Last week Unai Emery’s Aston Villa lost 2-0 away to Wolves but Spurs picked up an impressive, and much needed, 2-0 win away to Brentford. Ange Postecoglou’s men are on their annual silverware hunt and had a Carabao Cup semi-final second leg on Thursday night, taking a 1-0 first leg lead to Anfield. But Liverpool hit them for four and that dream is gone… so it’s on to the FA Cup.    

These are two teams fancied to go deep into the competition, sixth and seventh favourites to lift the trophy, with Spurs at odds of 10.00 and Villa at 17.00. But only one of them will be in the draw for the fifth round so let’s take a look at the two sides, and the latest Aston Villa vs Tottenham betting odds… and make a call.  

 

Talking Points

New boys set for Villa debuts

Villa were busy in the January transfer window with the recruitment of forwards Marcus Rashford on loan from Manchester United and Donyell Malen from Borussia Dortmund, as well as loan deals for Paris Saint-Germain’s Marco Asensio and Chelsea centre back Axel Disasi. Dutch striker Malen has already made two appearances as substitute in a draw with West Ham and the loss to Wolves and he will be pushing for a start against Tottenham. And while Disasi is cup-tied and will have to wait until Villa play Ipswich Town in their next league game, there could well be an appearance by Rashford and Asensio.

If Rashford can find his best form for Villa it could well turn out to be an astute signing and the Aston Villa vs Tottenham highlights might just give us a clue. Since making his Old Trafford debut a decade ago the 27 year old has made 287 appearances and scored 87 goals and he’s a readymade replacement for the departed Jhon Duran, who has departed for the Saudi Pro League. Rashford has blown hot and cold for a while now and Emery, a superb man manager, could be the coach to get the best out of him. As for Asensio, Villa have picked up a proven attacking midfielder who played almost 200 games for Real Madrid, winning three La Liga titles and he has represented Spain 38 times. He can play as a winger or sit behind the front two and Asensio will be a good fit for Emery’s quick passing attacking unit.  

 

Spurs must show their savvy side 

Tottenham’s visit to Brentford last week looked, on paper, like a hugely difficult test against one of the best home sides in Europe but Postecoglou’s men pulled off a classic away win. The Whites went into the break 1-0 to the good thanks to a Vitaly Janelt own goal and then they sat deep in the second half to preserve that lead. Spurs withstood an onslaught of 20 shots and then Pape Sarr wrapped up the win three minutes from time.

This was not the swashbuckling Spurs we’ve come to know under Postecoglou but they picked up all three points.

Spurs defended well, making 49 clearances during the game and to register a clean sheet was testimony to their determination to hang on. If the Aussie coach can find a way of attacking with the verve his team is known for while introducing more game management then they will pick up more hard fought wins.  

But then it’s no surprise Spurs dipped into the transfer market to pick up another forward, bringing 19 year old Mathys Tel on loan from Bayern Munich. With 60 games already for the Bavarians the France U21 star could be at Spurs longer than the six month loan period, as the club has an option to trigger a £45m option to make his move permanent.          

 

History

Tottenham and Aston Villa are FA Cup royalty, with eight and seven titles respectively. But it’s been a while since either of these two teams won the cup, back in 1991 for Spurs and in 1957 for Aston Villa. 

With 28 wins to 18 Tottenham have had the better of their encounters with Villa and the last two meetings have been one–sided affairs as Spurs won 4-0 on their visit to Villa Park last season and, in November, hammered the Villains 4-1 as Dominic Solanke scored a brace to end a seven match unbeaten run for Emery’s team.   

Villa have won two, drawn two and lost two of their last six games but they are unbeaten at Villa Park in ten. Meanwhile Tottenham have won three and lost three of their last six.   

 

Betting Tip

Villa are priced at 1.52 to make it through to the fifth round with Tottenham at 2.38 and, for this match a home win in 90 minutes is priced at 1.80 while an away win is 3.26 and the draw is 3.50.

Spurs need to pick themselves up after a 4-0 mauling by Liverpool on Thursday and then fight like they did against Brentford. I think that may be too much to ask.    

   

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