Tottenham Hotspur vs Aston Villa predictions and betting tips – Heavyweight FA Cup tie

Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa are having contrasting campaigns in the Premier League, but they will both put that to one side when they go head-to-head in the third round of the FA Cup this weekend.

The form book favours Villa, but Tottenham will not give up without a fight. Who will come out on top when these two teams go head-to-head in north London?

• Choose Aston Villa to qualify – 5/6 with Betfred
• Select under 2.5 goals – 8/9 with 247Bet
• Go for Donyell Malen to score any time – 15/8 with Tote

Tottenham Hotspur vs Aston Villa odds

Find the latest Tottenham Hotspur vs Aston Villa betting odds here. All odds are provided by our recommended football bookmakers and are subject to change.

Tottenham Hotspur vs Aston Villa predictions

Tottenham Hotspur finally ended their 17-year trophy drought last season, as Ange Postecoglou’s side triumphed in the Europa League.

That success was not enough to save Postecoglou, who was sacked having also led Tottenham to a 17th-place finish in the Premier League.

Opinion was divided on the decision to part ways with the Australian, but there is no doubt that Spurs were poorly managed for much of last term.

Postecoglou’s team at times played glorious football, but they also displayed a remarkable degree of naivety which cost them time and time again.

Still, with the benefit of hindsight an increasing number of Tottenham fans wish the club had stuck by Postecoglou instead of replacing him with Thomas Frank.

The latter is under real pressure heading into the weekend, when he no doubt would have hoped for a much kinder FA Cup third-round tie than this.

When Spurs were getting decent results earlier in the campaign, their supporters tolerated a style of play that could be described as functional at best.

That sort of approach seldom sits easy with Tottenham fans, to whom attractive, attacking football is valued as a core part of the club’s identity. However, a set of iffy displays were tolerated at the start of a manager’s tenure when Tottenham were winning a few games.

The problem for Frank is that results have been poor for weeks. A 3-2 defeat by Bournemouth on Wednesday night was just the latest in a series of setbacks Spurs have suffered of late.

Frank’s team have won only one of their last six Premier League games, and two of their last 12. That sequence has left them 14th in the table, behind the likes of Brentford, Fulham, Sunderland, Everton and Crystal Palace. 

Even though there is almost half a season to go, it is difficult to see Tottenham qualifying for the Champions League from here.

An FA Cup run might be enough to earn Frank a stay of execution, but a game against the third-best team in the Premier League is not ideal. 

Aston Villa were held to a goalless draw by bogey team Crystal Palace in the midweek round of Premier League fixtures, but they have lost only one of their last 14 matches in all competitions.

Villa have also already triumphed at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this season.

Tottenham Hotspur vs Aston Villa betting tips

Tottenham Hotspur host Aston Villa in an all-Premier League FA Cup third-round tie.

More misery for Frank

Aston Villa’s previous victory over Tottenham this season was a typically slender triumph in which Unai Emery’s team were simply more decisive than their opponents in the final third.

That has been the theme of Villa’s season, allowing them to significantly outperform their expected goals numbers.

It would not be at all surprising if Saturday’s showdown followed suit. Tottenham are stuck in a rut, while Villa know how to get results.

FA Cup replays have been removed from the format, so this tie and all others will be decided on the day. One way or another, Villa can come out on top against Spurs.

Choose Aston Villa to qualify at 5/6 with Betfred

Tight game on cards

Many of Tottenham’s matches this season have been dull affairs, but that was not the case last time out.

Spurs and Bournemouth shared five goals at the Vitality Stadium, as a last-gasp Antoine Semenyo effort won the game for the south coast side.

It was an entertaining encounter, but this is likely to be a return to the norm for Frank’s team.

Each of Tottenham’s three previous outings featured under 2.5 goals, and this one is likely to follow suit.

Select under 2.5 goals at 8/9 with 247Bet

Goal for incoming Malen?

Ollie Watkins is one of the Aston Villa players likely to be rested on Saturday, with Donyell Malen in line to start up front.

The former Borussia Dortmund man has emerged as an important squad player for Villa, with his ability to play out wide or through the middle making him a real asset.

Malen has chipped in with seven goals in the Premier League and Europa League this season, despite only starting nine matches in those two competitions.

Tottenham’s defence was exposed by Bournemouth on Wednesday and Malen should have some joy in north London this weekend.

Go for Donyell Malen to score any time at 15/8 with Tote

Tottenham Hotspur vs Aston Villa predicted lineups

• Tottenham Hotspur expected lineup: Kinsky; Spence, Romero, Van de Ven, Davies; Gray, Palhinha; Odobert, Simons, Tel; Kolo Muani.
• Aston Villa expected lineup: Bizot; Garcia, Konsa, Lindelof, Torres, Maatsen; Kamara, Tielemans; McGinn, Rogers, Buendia; Malen.

Where to watch Tottenham Hotspur vs Aston Villa

• Location: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, England.
• Date and time: Saturday 10th January, 5.45pm.
• How to watch: BBC One and BBC iPlayer, TNT Sports 1.

More FA Cup predictions

We have plenty more FA Cup predictions and picks – find our latest betting tips from expert punters in our match preview overview.

About the author

Greg Lea

Greg Lea is a freelance football writer from London. He predominantly covers the Premier League and has had work published by the Guardian, FourFourTwo, ESPN and others.

Follow Greg on X: @GregLeaFootball

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