Aston Villa face Tottenham Hotspur at home on Sunday night as Dean Smith's side looks to continue their impressive form against North London teams this season. 

As for Spurs, they will want to bounce back after a shambolic midweek performance against Dinamo Zagreb in the Europa League and Derby defeat against Arsenal.

Team News

Villa have been without their talisman Jack Grealish for five games and he hasn't trained this week, however, the Villa boss is 'hopeful' that the 25-year-old can feature on Sunday. 

Matt Cash who was on the bench against Newcastle United is fit and in contention once again. Winger Bertrand Traore who took a whack in the ribs last time out, will train on Saturday and should be fit for Sunday. Apart from Wesley's long term injury, there are no fresh injury concerns ahead of the clash for Villa.

Tottenham will be without their South Korean star Son Heung-min after he picked up a hamstring injury in last weeks North London Derby. Following a lengthy spell on the sidelines with back and hamstring injuries Giovani Lo Celso is available for selection. Erik Lamela will also miss out having been sent off against Arsenal.

Team Lineups

Aston Villa: Martinez, Targett, Mings, Konsa, Cash, Nakamba, McGinn, Sanson, El Ghazi, Watkins, Traore.

Tottenham: Lloris, Sanchez, Alderweireld, Reguilon, Aurier, Højbjerg, Ndombele, Bergwijn, Moura, Bale, Kane.

Ones To Watch

If he plays, Jack Grealish would be the obvious one for Villa, however, Dean Smith has transformed the back four this year with Ezri Konsa being at the heart of the tremendous turnaround. The 23-year-old, who has been in the form of his life this season, picks his moments to commit tackles, blocks and interceptions. Aston Villa assistant John Terry has worked closely with the defender giving him wise words along the way.

Dean Smith believes there is still a lot to come from the lad: “He has been excellent; he’s not hit his ceiling and there is plenty more to come from Ezri."

As for Spurs, their star striker Harry Kane hasn't been performing in recent weeks therefore he will want to bounce back against Villa and prove his quality as a player ahead of the England international break. The 27-year-old has scored 16 goals in the Premier League and registered 13 assists this year.

A word from the managers 

 

Dean Smith feels as though they could have done better against Newcastle: “We didn’t feel like we justified ourselves at Newcastle and we want to put that right.” He also thinks that Spurs' result midweek will have a positive impact on Jose Mourinho's team on: “The result [against Dinamo Zagreb] doesn’t help us. I would expect them to react in a more positive way.”

 

Tottenham boss Mourinho had nothing but good words to say about Aston Villa's progress: “They are the team I enjoy the most to watch and they are a team with a lot of very good players and they’re very well-coached, of course. That’s what is waiting for us.”

Where to watch 

The game will broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League with kick-off being at 19:30.