Spurs have experienced a dip in form in recent matches and with only seven games left to play it seems unlikely that Tottenham will be able to seal a Champions League spot. Manager Mauricio Pochettino himself appears to be pessimistic of his team's chances but has insisted that they will do their best to push their way in the top four.
“I think it is difficult [to qualify] but we have seven games, we will try,” Pochettino said. “It is true that it is not easy.”
Former Man United defender Gary Neville has also voiced similar opinions and has claimed that Tottenham players look less sharp than they did earlier in the season. He also criticised them for their performance against Burnley last time out which ended in a 0-0 draw.
"It's mathematically possible but with a performance like that today (against Burnley), I think you'll find it's difficult really," Neville said on Sky Sports' The Gary Neville Podcast.
"They look a little bit depleted as well. I saw them before Christmas play at home against Everton, and they were really sharp and they looked fiery in that game.
"If I'm looking at them in this last month, you think of the game at Old Trafford, they've gone out of Europe, and they've lost the Capital One Cup.
"They've had a couple of heavy blows in this last four, five weeks and I think at this point in the season, it looks to me like they've just gone over the top a bit.
Aston Villa on the other hand have relegation still in their sights and will be looking for three vital points when they face Tottenham. They were against QPR in a relegation showdown last time out a match which ended in a 3-3 draw. Villa twice went behind in the match but were rescued by Belgian international Christian Benteke, who's hat-trick ensured that Tim Sherwood's men were able to earn a single point from the match.
Tottenham will be without defender Kyle Walker whereas first choice keeper Hugo Lloris is also unlikely to return. Vertonghen however is likely to recover from his illness in time to face Aston Vlla.
Sherwood who will face his former side for the first time after being relieved of his duties at the end of last season will have a number of injury concerns. The likes of Sinclair, Westwood and Hutton are unlikely to feature, with Herd a long term absentee. Defenders Cissokho and Senderos on the other hand are likely to face Spurs.
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