Spurs and Villa juggle injuries as Kolo Muani nudges into the frame
Tottenham and Aston Villa meet at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday afternoon with both sides striding into the fixture with a bit of swagger. Spurs are coming off a tidy 2-1 success over Leeds, while Unai Emery’s lot have rattled off four on the bounce in all comps, capped by a 2-1 grind past Burnley. It’s a proper test of depth, mind you, with injuries forcing both gaffers to get creative.
Team news: Tottenham
Plenty for the home dugout to juggle. Dominic Solanke remains sidelined after a minor ankle op before the international break, and long-term knee issues keep James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski out of the picture. There’s a glimmer for Radu Dragusin, who’s edging back from last year’s ACL trouble, but Yves Bissouma is a major doubt after a nasty ankle-ligament twist on international duty.
The headline, though, is the Kolo Muani chatter. The forward has been working with the group for a fortnight and, by all accounts, is sharpening up nicely. Kota Takai is also back amongst it and could make the bench, while Ben Davies is expected to sit this one out.
Injuries and return timeline: Spurs
Maddison (knee) – projected 01/06/2026. Kulusevski (knee) – 22/11/2025. Solanke (ankle) – 01/11/2025. Dragusin (knee) – targeting 19/10/2025. Takai (foot) – 19/10/2025. Kolo Muani (thigh) – 19/10/2025. Bissouma (knee/ankle ligament) – timeframe unclear. Davies (muscular) – timeframe unclear.
Manager’s message from the Spurs camp
In his presser, Thomas Frank struck an optimistic note on the new faces in training, stressing Kolo Muani has stepped up over the past two weeks and is in the conversation for minutes. Solanke is progressing post-surgery, but there’s no rush. The boss was blunt about Bissouma: the ankle ligament issue means a spell out. The theme? Pick the strongest XI from what’s available, not what’s ideal.
Team news: Aston Villa
Emery’s side arrive with momentum and reinforcements on the horizon. The expectation is that Ollie Watkins, fresh from scoring for England before clattering the post and sitting out the Latvia game, should be fine for Sunday. Youri Tielemans, Andres Garcia and Tyrone Mings all missed the Burnley win but could be back in the travelling party. Emiliano Buendia took a knock in that Burnley match yet has trained this week.
Injuries and return timeline: Villa
Mings (ankle) – aiming for 19/10/2025. Buendia (head) – 19/10/2025. Andres Garcia (other) – 19/10/2025. Watkins (knee) – 19/10/2025. Tielemans (calf) – 19/10/2025.
Emery’s update
The Villa boss suggested Watkins should be good to go, with Buendia training normally across the week. Mings has been building up individually and is bidding to rejoin full sessions ahead of the squad decision for London.
How they might set up
Don’t expect anything too exotic: Spurs will likely lean on a high-tempo press and quick transitions, especially with midfield legs at a premium minus Bissouma. Villa are well-drilled and streetwise under Emery, switching gears smoothly between a high line and compact blocks, with width arriving early and often.
For punters eyeing a flutter, form lines point to a tight contest decided by fine margins. Have a look at the best betting sites for prices, but remember this could swing late if the benches come into play. Kolo Muani being in contention for Spurs and Watkins trending available for Villa are the two big selection levers that could move the market.
Predicted line-ups (to be confirmed)
Tottenham: A rotated attack if Kolo Muani is passed fit for minutes off the bench, with midfield reshuffled in Bissouma’s absence and Dragusin nearing, but not guaranteed, involvement.
Aston Villa: Watkins to spearhead if cleared; Tielemans and Buendia in the mix to bolster creativity; Mings an outside shout depending on the final training check.
Pundit’s verdict
Villa’s rhythm under Emery has been excellent, but Spurs at home – even patched up – can still turn the dial with their energy and crowd. If Watkins starts, Villa carry the cleaner cutting edge. If Kolo Muani gets on the pitch and shakes off the rust, Spurs gain a wild card. Edge-of-the-seat stuff either way.
