FA Cup: Spurs Seek a Cup of Solace

Tottenham Hotspur vs Aston Villa

The big guns enter the 2025/26 FA Cup this weekend, as the oldest knockout competition in world football reaches its iconic third round.

This is the cup and the stage with the most romance, where minnows meet the aristocrats of the Premier League, and giant killings are on everybody’s mind. Sixth-tier Macclesfield Town have a dream draw as they take on 2025 Cup winners Crystal Palace. But there will be a distinct absence of romance at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday evening when Thomas Frank’s Spurs welcome Unai Emery’s Aston Villa.

Spurs are in a rut. The Whites visited Bournemouth on Wednesday night, and facing a team in free-fall, this was a chance to claw their way into the top half of the table. But they fluffed it, losing 3-2. Meanwhile, high-flying Villa took the trip to Crystal Palace and came home with a point from a goalless draw.

The early FA Cup 2026 betting odds make Spurs and Villa the seventh and eighth favourites to lift the trophy, and the victors in North London will be on track to go deep into the competition. Arguably, Tottenham need this more than Aston Villa.

 

Talking Points

The pressure mounts on Frank

After winning their first piece of silverware in 17 years, lifting the 2025 Europa League, the Tottenham board moved to sack manager Ange Postecoglou and replace him with Frank, who came from Brentford with an impressive reputation. The Danish head coach started well but has struggled to gather any momentum or consistency in his results.

January offered an opportunity to gather points with a relatively kind run of fixtures. But Frank’s return to Brentford on New Year’s Day turned out to be something of a tame affair, as the Bees and Spurs played out a goalless draw. And next up, Tottenham conceded a late equaliser to Sunderland.

On Wednesday, Tottenham had their best chance of a win when they visited struggling Bournemouth, and they got off to a great start when Mathys Tel opened the scoring.

But the Cherries roared back to take the lead until Joao Palhinha levelled with a spectacular overhead kick. Any thoughts of a Spurs victory totally dissipated when Antoine Semenyo won the game for Bournemouth deep into stoppage time.

Tottenham have won just two of their last 12 league games, and Tel’s goal against the Cherries was their first in open play since early December. Spurs need to find a spark and the diversion of the FA Cup might just provide that.

 

January is a big month for Villans

After a slow start to the campaign, Aston Villa have been on a magnificent run since October and find themselves in the Premier League title race in third place, level on points with Manchester City. While Spurs can hardly buy a win, Villa have racked up an astonishing 12 victories from their last 14 games in all competitions, quite often edging tight games as Emery displays his tactical nous week after week.

With plenty to play for, January could be a huge month for Villa if they can keep up the pace at the top of the table and progress in the cup. But Emery will also have one eye on the January transfer window, as he looks to add to his squad while keeping hold of his prize assets.

One player sure to feature heavily in the FA Cup 2026 highlights is attacking midfielder Morgan Rogers, and rumours circulating West London suggest that Chelsea are considering a move for the player, with an eye-watering fee of £130 million being touted.

With 24 goals and 23 assists in 97 games, Rogers has become one of the most sought-after stars in the league, and Emery will do all he can to keep him and Villa’s other stars at the club.

 

History

These two proud clubs are FA Cup royalty. Tottenham have won the tournament eight times, most recently in 1991, while Aston Villa are seven-time winners of the FA Cup, though the last time was in 1957.

Tottenham have won 28 of their last 58 encounters with Villa losing 18, and there have been 12 draws. At home, the Whites have won 16 to Villa’s eight, and there have been five draws.

But Villa have won the last three meetings all in 2025, including a 2-1 victory in the FA Cup in February and another 2-1 triumph in October, a league clash at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

The visitors are stronger in terms of recent form with five wins, one draw, and one defeat from their last seven outings, while Tottenham have won two, drawn two, and lost three in that time.

 

Betting Tip

Spurs are at SBOTOP odds of 2.40 to get a much needed win, with Villa at 2.63, and the draw at 3.30. This is a fascinating clash which could go either way.

I think it will be tight, and if Emery works his magic, another 2-1 win to Villa at odds of 9.25 may well be on the cards.

   

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