Aston Villa v Tottenham LIVE: Team news as Spurs battle for Premier League survival

Unai Emery makes the big decision to start Ollie Watkins on the bench. That may be down to Villa’s upcoming Europa League semi-final second leg against Nottingham Forest.

The first leg was Villa’s last outing and from that line-up only Morgan Rogers, Youri Tielemans, Matty Cash and Emi Martinez keep their places.

This is a second string team from Villa who are resting their main players for the clash with Forest in a few days.

Roberto de Zerbi makes three changes to the Tottenham line-up that defeated Wolves in their last outing.

Xavi Simons, Yves Bissouma and Dominic Solanke drop out with Mathys Tel, Joao Palhinha and Richarlison brought in.

Tottenham XI: Kinsky; Porro, Danso, Van de Ven, Udogie; Bentancur, Palhinha, Gallagher; Tel, Kolo Muani, Richarlison

Aston Villa XI: Martinez; Cash, Lindelof, Mings, Maatsen; Bogarde, Tielemans; Barkley, Sancho, Rogers; Abraham

We’ll have the team news from Villa Park for you in the next little while. Xavi Simons will not be involved after a cruel injury blow ahead of the World Cup.

“They never came to us. We did, Ossie (Ardiles) and myself, after the Forest game, we felt there was a real problem there.”

He added: “Ossie and I made it clear that we would go in there if they wanted us to go in there with probably a younger legend (as coach) as well.”

Roberto De Zerbi is the man tasked with steering Spurs to safety, but a pair of club legends had their eyes on the role, too. Glenn Hoddle and Ossie Ardiles were a great midfield double act – but I think Tottenham made the right call…

Unai Emery is confident that Roberto De Zerbi is the man to take Tottenham forward after two terrible seasons in the Premier League.

De Zerbi’s first task is to ensure Spurs don’t get relegated and if he achieves that Emery is backing him to impose an identity on Tottenham.

“De Zerbi has maybe the highest challenge of his career, to try and save them,” Emery explained. “With time, he’s going to build a strong team with his idea and style, making an impact.

“He did it here with Brighton and as well in Marseille. He has only coached three matches with Tottenham, and he will need time.

“The most important thing for them is to try to compete and escape from the bottom. He will get success during his time with Tottenham, I’m sure.”

Unai Emery was not best pleased at all by some of the officiating on Thursday, evening calling for more VAR. A rarity.

More from the Aston Villa boss who explained: “When we won two weeks ago in the last minute against Sunderland, I was positive. Last week when we lost against Fulham, I was not so positive about everything we’re doing and the points we need to get fifth, fourth or third in the league.

“There are some teams behind us performing well, like Brighton for example or Chelsea with their capacity to win a lot of matches at the end of the season. We must focus on our own matches and trying to get points.

“The first one is on Sunday against Tottenham, and I am positive and delighted with how we are arriving in the moment we’re in now, playing in the semi-final with a second leg to play and in the position we are in the league.

“It’s really fantastic with the consistency we are achieving, but we still have the last challenges to play.”