How Aston Villa could line up against Tottenham Hotspur

By Ben Knapton | 17 May 2021 18:48, Last updated: 04 Jun 2025 23:31

Aston Villa captain Jack Grealish could make a long-awaited return to the starting lineup for Wednesday's Premier League clash with Tottenham Hotspur in North London.

The England international enjoyed a 30-minute cameo off the bench last time out, but he was unable to prevent Villa falling to a disappointing 3-2 defeat to Crystal Palace.

With Trezeguet already sidelined for the long term, Dean Smith has revealed that Matty Cash and Morgan Sanson will miss the remainder of the season due to hamstring and knee injuries respectively, but Tyrone Mings has a chance of returning in time for Wednesday.

Mings's return to fitness should see him link up with Ezri Konsa in the heart of the Villa defence as Kortney Hause makes way, while Ahmed Elmohamady will again feature at right-back in Cash's absence.

Jacob Ramsey continues to earn more Premier League game time week after week, but the need for defensive stability against Harry Kane and co could see Marvelous Nakamba reintroduced alongside Douglas Luiz in the middle.

John McGinn should continue further up the field ahead of Ross Barkley, while Bertrand Traore and Ollie Watkins are also set to keep their places in Smith's attacking quartet.

The Villa boss has a big call to make on the left, though, as Anwar El Ghazi has struck three goals in his last five Premier League games, but a fit-again Grealish ought to be given the nod.

Aston Villa possible starting lineup: Martinez; Elmohamady, Konsa, Mings, Targett; Luiz, Nakamba; Traore, McGinn, Grealish; Watkins

> Click here to see how Tottenham Hotspur could line up for this clash