FOOTBALL LONDON
Ryan Mason has named the team that he believes can help Tottenham beat Aston Villa and secure European football next season.
Spurs currently lie in sixth place but with Brighton & Hove Albion just behind them in the table with two games in hand and Mason’s side must hold off them and Villa if they want to grab a Europa League place. Spurs know a win at Villa Park would all but secure at least Europa Conference League football for next season.
Mason has selected the same side as last week to counter the Villains’ attacking threats while giving them problems of their own. Spurs played with a 4-4-2 out of possession which switched to a 3-4-3 with the ball against Crystal Palace and have stuck with that.
Mason’s line-up, particularly with Pedro Porro in front of Emerson Royal, should give the team a solid defensive base to better handle the attacking ability of Emery’s side.
Clement Lenglet is fit for selection and has been training this week after his shoulder injury which forced him off against Palace and he remains in the back four but Eric Dier misses out through injury. Youngster Matthew Craig instead takes his place on the bench.
Here is the Tottenham team Mason has selected:
Forster; Emerson, Romero, Lenglet; Porro, Skipp, Hojbjerg, Davies; Richarlison, Kane, Son. Subs: Austin, Craig, Sanchez, Perisic, Sarr, Bissouma, Danjuma, Kulusevski, Lucas.
