Aston Villa at Spurs, positive things to be written and our manager
I don't think I've seen a prediction that has us winning today. I don't remember ever seeing odds of 9/1 for us to win before. I think it's rude and I also think it's worth a punt. You see, football us two teams and 90 minutes and anything can happen.
Sure, I understand. We're the promoted side, but it's not right, so yes, I've had a little bet.
But there are also not many tougher games to start the season. Spurs are expected to challenge this season and they play the right way and are led by a manager that wants to win games.
But there is a real feeling of optimism for this season. I don't mean by that that anyone thinks we're going to win the League, but I think most think we're going to approach every game in a way that we haven't for a long time. We have a manager that is going to approach every game, much in the same way that the Spurs manager does.
The optimism comes from that. It comes from the manager and how the players respond to him. You can't underestimate that and that is why I put my bet on today.And in case you wanted that price, you can get it here.
Either way, it's going to be nice today and I have a feeling that by the end of it, there are going to be some good things written and I don't mean about the result, although that would be nice, but I mean about our approach, some players and probably the away support.
In other news
You may know this, but because we were promoted last season our previous owner owed the owner before him £30mn and it turns out, he couldn't pay it. Our current owners picked up the bill and in return they took complete control of Aston Villa.
So that means he is finally out and it means it's a very good day for Aston Villa. And yes, for all of you that followed him and treated him like someone special, hold your heads in shame. He was a charlatan from day one and it still baffles me that so many fell for it.
But enough about him, he's gone and what's the opposite of dark day?
Match facts from the BBC
Head-to-head
- Aston Villa's only victory over Tottenham in their last 17 meetings was 1-0 at White Hart Lane in April 2015 thanks to a Christian Benteke goal.
- Spurs have won nine of the past 10 encounters, scoring 24 and conceding just three.
- Their most recent meeting was in the FA Cup third round in 2017, when Tottenham won 2-0 at home.
Tottenham Hotspur
- This is the first time since 2010 that Tottenham have played their opening league match of the season at home.
- They have lost just one of their six home games on the opening weekend of a Premier League season - against Manchester United in 1997-98.
- Spurs won only two of their final nine fixtures in 2018-19, keeping a solitary clean sheet (D1, L6).
- Mauricio Pochettino's side have lost 13 matches in all competitions in 2019, more than any other current Premier League team.
- Harry Kane has gone six competitive appearances without a goal for club and country since March. It's his longest barren spell since a nine-match streak between June and September 2016.
Aston Villa
- Villa have won their last three opening-day matches in the Premier League, which were all away: Arsenal in 2013-14, Stoke in 2014-15 and Bournemouth in 2015-16.
- Victory over Bournemouth on the opening day in 2015-16 was their last away triumph in the Premier League.
- Aston Villa could lose eight consecutive top-flight away matches for the first time since September to December 1964.
- They recovered 29 points from losing positions last season, five more than any other Championship side. They avoided defeat in 17 of the 26 league matches in which they fell behind.
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