The final game of the depressing 2013-14 season is upon us – and it will be met with relief by many Villans, who will head to White Hart Lane more interested in the fancy dress of the supporters than expectant of any fancy football from the players.
The fact that the Villans will be playing in the Premier League again next season owes more to other teams’ failings than the capability of the Villa squad so it is no wonder that rumours regarding managerial changes and takeovers remain rife.
Despite his valiant efforts to convince people that he has soldiered on and battled bravely to keep the Villans in the Premier League, Lambert is a man whose future is uncertain. As much as he would like to send the claret and blue faithful home happy, a win seems unlikely for a side that has lost seven of its last eight games and failed to win away from home since the turn of the year.
Spurs have only been involved in one goalless draw all season, against Everton in early November, so they may well see this game as an opportunity to bounce back from last weekend’s humiliating third loss of the campaign to West Ham and end the season in style with a convincing win. Given that their opponents worked hard, to no avail, against Manchester City on Wednesday, Spurs’ mission may well be accomplished with ease.
Recent form:
Aston Villa: LWLDL
Tottenham Hotspur: LWWDW
Team news:
Joe Bennett’s ankle injury means he will not feature in the final game of the season.
Marc Albrighton is doubtful due to a groin problem.
Gabby Agbonlahor, who missed Wednesday’s game because of a knee injury last weekend against Hull, is expected to return to the starting line-up.
Possible line-up:
Guzan
Lowton Vlaar Clark Baker Bertrand
El Ahmadi Delph Westwood
Agbonlahor Weimann
The opposition:
Tim Sherwood will probably take charge of Spurs for the last time tomorrow since heavy defeats to the Premier League’s top sides and an exit from the Europa League at the hands of Benfica have seriously damaged the slim chance he had of being offered the manager’s position on a permanent basis. He may hope to go out on a high ahead of talks with Daniel Levy but many of his players will be keenly aware of the rumours regarding Sherwood’s successor and may feel the need to impress any new manager.
For Spurs, the Premier League season is all but over and Sherwood will be aiming to avoid defeat to ensure Europa League qualification for the fourth consecutive season. Spurs would fail to qualify for the Europa League if they lose and Manchester United beat Southampton, something that would please their fans if not Levy.
Kyle Walker will not feature in the final Premier League game of the season due to a pelvic injury.
Andros Townsend remains sidelined, as do Spurs’ record signing Erik Lamela, Mousa Dembele and Nacer Chadli.
Jan Vertonghen and Étienne Capoue have returned to training and will be hoping to play, although it is doubtful that Vertonghen will be ready to do so.
Younes Kaboul will miss the game through suspension, following his red card last weekend.
Match information:
Referee: Jonathon Moss
Venue: White Hart Lane
Kick-off: 3p.m.
Tickets: Away allocation has sold out
Last meeting: October 2013 at Villa Park – Aston Villa 0 – Tottenham Hotspur 2
Predictions:
2-0 – Mark Lawrenson
3-1 – Paul Merson
4-1 – AnneMc
