Former Arsenal forward Paul Merson has issued a score prediction for Aston Villa’s trip to Tottenham on Sunday.
Aston Villa will turn their attention back to the Premier League after Crystal Palace knocked them out of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night.
Unai Emery made wholesale changes for that match but ahead of their clash against Tottenham, the big guns will return to the starting XI, including Ollie Watkins, Ezri Konsa and Morgan Rogers.
Villa are currently doing well in the league, having clinched five victories from their opening nine games to sit fourth in the table while Spurs are five points adrift in eighth.
It’s a fixture that could have huge implications on the top four race come May, and Paul Merson has now issued his prediction for the match.
Paul Merson predicts Tottenham vs Aston Villa
Villa have won three of their last four meetings against Spurs, including a 2-1 victory at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium last term when Pau Torres and Watkins both scored.
Emery’s men can put clear daylight between them and Ange Postecoglu’s side when they visit North London this weekend, and former Arsenal forward Merson thinks they will.
| Position | Team | Played MP | Won W | Drawn D | Lost L | For GF | Against GA | Diff GD | Points Pts |
| 1 |  Man CityManchester City | 9 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 20 | 9 | 11 | 23 |
| 2 |  LiverpoolLiverpool | 9 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 17 | 5 | 12 | 22 |
| 3 |  ArsenalArsenal | 9 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 17 | 10 | 7 | 18 |
| 4 |  Aston VillaAston Villa | 9 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 16 | 11 | 5 | 18 |
| 5 |  ChelseaChelsea | 9 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 19 | 11 | 8 | 17 |
| 6 |  BrightonBrighton | 9 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 16 | 12 | 4 | 16 |
| 7 |  Nottm ForestNottingham Forest | 9 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 11 | 7 | 4 | 16 |
| 8 |  TottenhamTottenham | 9 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 18 | 10 | 8 | 13 |
However, he must have made a mistake in his score prediction, as he put Tottenham to win 2-1 despite claiming Villa would clinch all three points.
“I thought it was a really bad result for Aston Villa when they lost to Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup during midweek. I know they play in the Champions League and compete well in the Premier League, but they should also look to win the cup,” Merson wrote in his column for Sportskeeda.
“That exit would have definitely been disappointing for Villa. I’m still going to back them to beat Tottenham though. Villa’s high line could face problems against Spurs, but I just can’t see them not scoring in this game. It’s going to be a big blow for Tottenham in their attempt to qualify for the Champions League if they lose this game.
“Villa can open up an eight-point gap over Spurs if they win and that may well be curtains for the north Londoners’ hopes about finishing fourth. I just think Villa have a bit more in them than Tottenham and fully expect them to win here.”
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Aston Villa team news vs Tottenham
In what is a rarity during a hectic fixture schedule, Emery has no injury concerns heading into this Sunday’s match, with Jaden Philogene returning in midweek after being shown a red card against Fulham.
Emery made 10 changes to the side against Palace, including starts for both Tyrone Mings and Boubacar Kamara. It was emotional to see that duo on the pitch together after spending so long sidelined.
However, it’s unlikely they’ll both start against Tottenham, especially with Youri Tielemans, Pau and Konsa all expected to return.
With a Champions League fixture away to Club Brugge next week, the Villa tactician has the luxury of selecting a fully fit squad, and it means he can rotate his side without any issues.
