Spurs win today and they go into the top four. That should be enough to write to know that this isn't going to be an easy game and that it's going to need better than Liverpool to get something out of this.
If we play with the same purpose and mindset, we will be in a good place, but we need to be better in the final third and more specifically, with the chances we create. And I think we will create chances.
Fingers crossed, we will see Emi back in goal and I think we are better with him starting. Nothing against Robin Olsen, I'm a fan, but Emi has a stature about him that I think makes us just a little better. I'm also starting to get a little fed up of all this speculation about him, it's not nice and I'm not sure where it's coming from.
All that said, it is an important match, it's eleven against eleven and anything can happen. Oh yes, the transfer window is open too!
December winner
Finally today, if your name is Michael Carlström and your FPL team name is lag…anda, reach out to me please. You finished top of the league for December.
The manager
Match facts from the BBC
Head-to-head
- Tottenham have won 12 of their last 14 Premier League meetings with Aston Villa, losing the other two.
- However, Villa's last two victories against Spurs have come away from home, most recently in May 2021.
- The last time the two sides faced each other on New Year's Day was in 2008 at Villa Park, in a game won 2-1 by the Villans.
Tottenham Hotspur
- Tottenham have won only two of their last six league games (D1, L3).
- Spurs have won 14 points from losing positions this season, the most in the Premier League.
- They have been trailing at half-time in seven of their last eight matches in all competitions, including each of their last five.
- Antonio Conte's side could set an unwanted club record of conceding two or more goals in seven successive Premier League fixtures.
- The North Londoners have won seven of their last eight games played on New Year's Day, and are level with Arsenal on 10 as the team to record the most Premier League victories on the day.
- Harry Kane has scored five Premier League goals on 1 January and needs one more to overtake Andrew Cole and Steven Gerard to become the outright top scorer on New Year's Day in the competition.
- Kane's six headed goals this season is the most of any player in the top flight.
Aston Villa
- Aston Villa's victory over Brighton in their last away game was their first in the Premier League this season (D2, L5).
- Unai Emery is looking to become the first Villa manager since John Gregory in 1998 to win his first two Premier League away matches.
- Emery is unbeaten in three previous league meetings with Tottenham while Arsenal manager.
- The Spaniard could set a record of 55 Premier League games managed without being involved in a goalless draw. He's currently level with former Spurs boss Ossie Ardiles.
- The Villans have lost each of their last five league games in London, and have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last 13 top-flight visits to the capital.
- Ollie Watkins is looking to become the first Englishman since Daniel Sturridge in 2012 to score in three successive Premier League visits to Spurs.