Tottenham still haven’t solved the problem of who will play back-up to Harry Kane should the striker find himself injured again, but Mauricio Pochettino did add an attacking option to his squad this window.
Giovani Lo Celso and Ryan Sessegnon both joined on deadline day after the club-record signing earlier in the summer of midfielder Tanguy Ndombele.
Sessegnon has been ruled out of the game (and will be out for three-to-four weeks with a hamstring issue), along with Dele Alli, Ben Davies, Juan Foyth and Heung-min Son (suspended). And we think the game on Saturday evening will come too soon for a start for Lo Celso, but we do expect Ndombele to get his competitive debut.
Goalkeeper
Paulo Gazzaniga put in some solid performances in pre-season but it would be a major surprise if he dislodged Hugo Lloris from the number one spot. We expect the Frenchman to start.
Defenders
With Davies and Sessegnon out, Danny Rose should start on the left with Kyle Walker-Peters on the right. Serge Aurier is back in training but tomorrow’s game would be a stretch and we’re keen to see Walker-Peters get a run in the side. Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen should start in the middle.
Midfielders
Big things are expected from 22-year-old Tanguy Ndombele, maybe not straight away, but he should be a regular starter and we’re expecting to see him on Saturday alongside Harry Winks. Moussa Sissoko was transformed last season into one of the side’s best and most consistent players and he should get the nod with Christian Eriksen playing the creative role. Eriksen could well leave before the end of the European window, we’d be surprised if he doesn’t, but in Lo Celso, Pochettino already has his replacement.
Attackers
Harry Kane should start up front with help from Lucas Moura. Tottenham didn’t manage to sign Paulo Dybala and that will be a big disappointment for Tottenham fans. He would have been a brilliant addition to the squad and he would have solved the striker conundrum with his versatility. Instead, Lucas must prove that he can find the form Pochettino knows he has in him more consistently.
Key battle
John McGinn has been a revelation for Aston Villa and he will represent the first big test in the Premier League for Ndombele. Villa fans will be convinced that their £2.8m buy can make Ndomble’s big price tag look silly, but the Spurs man wasn’t a top Poch target for nothing. This battle will be fascinating.
TiF Verdict
Aston Villa boasted the biggest net spend of any team in the Premier League this summer but they’re going to find out that money won’t buy immediate success against top sides like Tottenham.
Tottenham 2 – 0 Aston Villa
Watch it!
The game is being shown on Sky Sports in the UK and it kicks off at 5.30pm on Saturday.
This is the starting XI we expect Pochettino to put out to face Villa:
