Rogers has scored against Tottenham in both meetings between the sides this season, in the FA Cup and the Premier League. He’s one of Villa’s most important attacking players, racking up 17 goal contributions in the Premier League this season which is a record only bettered by Ollie Watkins (23) in the Villa squad. 

Rogers has had 19 shots on target across his 35 Premier League appearances this season (0.58 per 90). This alone isn’t particularly standout, but Rogers should get more space and time here against a Tottenham backline that have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last 11 Premier League outings.

Villa have had eight shots on target against Tottenham across the two = meetings this campaign with Rogers pitching in with three of those.

Porro has won 31 fouls across his 32 Premier League appearances this season, 27 of those have been starts - taking his average to 1.11 fouls won per 90. Porro’s eight goal contributions this season also suggest that the full back isn’t static down his side of the pitch and will push up high when he gets the opportunity to do so.

Porro has been fouled in each of the two meetings between the sides this season. On both occasions he was up against Jacob Ramsey who has committed five fouls across the two meetings, four of which came in the FA Cup game at Villa Park. Ramsey is suspended for this game so it’s likely that Rogers is placed on that side, Rogers is averaging 1.43 fouls committed per 90 in the Premier League this season. 

Villa exceeded their foul average of 10.9 fouls committed per 90 in each of the previous games v Spurs, committing 11 fouls in the cup tie and 14 in the league game. Porro’s battle against Rogers should stand out here with a few fouls traded between the two players.

Ben Davies is likely to line up as part of the backline here, as Ange Postecoglou keeps Micky Van de Ven and Cristian Romero fresh for the Europa League final. Davies committed two fouls against Crystal Palace last time out and has a strong fouls record across the season as a whole.

Davies has committed 16 fouls across his 15 Premier League appearances this season (1.18 per 90). The majority of those performances have been as a centre back which is where he is expected to line up again here, putting him up against Ollie Watkins.

Watkins is averaging 1.11 fouls won per 90 in the Premier League this season and will cause Davies problems with his smart runs in behind the high Tottenham backline. Villa are the most fouled side in the Premier League so we can expect the 32-year-old to be roped into a few duels as he has been all season.

Watkins scored his 16th Premier League goal of the season against Bournemouth last time out, which was a crucial victory in the context of the race for Champions League football.

Unsurprisingly, he’s Villa’s top scorer in the Premier League this season and has marginally outperformed his xG of 15.1. He’s also pitched in with seven assists in the Premier League, showing his creative side and importance to Villa ensuring that they actually find the back of the net, which has been a bit of a problem with the goal burden mainly on Watkins throughout the campaign. 

Tottenham have failed to keep a clean sheet in any of their last 10 Premier League matches and have managed six shutouts all season - only Fulham and the three relegated sides have kept fewer clean sheets than Spurs this season which is a record that will encourage Aston Villa, who have scored 32 goals at home this season (1.77 per game). 

Only Morgan Rogers (nine) has picked up more yellow cards for Aston Villa than John McGinn (seven). McGinn was heavily involved in both meetings this season, committing three fouls across the two games and only narrowly avoiding a caution. 

McGinn has committed 43 fouls across his 32 Premier League appearances this season (1.86 per 90). This record is informed by McGinn’s tireless running which ensures that opposition players don’t get a second of time, especially when Villa are playing at home. He can overstep the mark as his card and foul record suggests, but this energy should aid our selection here.

McGinn is likely to be in a battle with Pape Sarr who is quite strong when it comes to winning fouls. Sarr is averaging 1.74 fouls won per 90 in the Premier League this season and was fouled twice in the initial league meeting between these sides. 

It’s clear that Tottenham’s focus is on the Europa League final and this should show in the result. Aston Villa are in a position where they must pick up all three points or risk handing the initiative to their Champions League rivals in the race for a spot at Europe’s top table next season.

Tottenham are without a clean sheet in their last 10 Premier League games and have only kept six all season.

Aston Villa have only lost one of their 18 games at Villa Park this season, which makes this an even tougher assignment for the North Londoners who are sure to rotate to avoid risk of further injuries before the Europa League final against Manchester United next week.