Tottenham Still Faces Squad Challenges Ahead of Aston Villa Clash

Tottenham Hotspur return to Premier League action today, eager to secure their first win and open their scoring account this season. The Spurs host Aston Villa, a side that, like them, has struggled in the early stages of the campaign.

Desperate for goals and victories following a disappointing start, manager Roberto De Zerbi still faces selection challenges due to injuries affecting several key players.

De Zerbi left Sandro Tonali out of the squad for the recent Carabao Cup match against Liverpool, but the Italian midfielder is expected to be available for today’s game. James Maddison came off the bench at Anfield and is also ready to feature.

“Porro, Tonali, and Maddison are all fit to play. As always, we need to assess their physical condition,” De Zerbi said ahead of the clash with Aston Villa.

However, other injured players continue to pose problems. Dejan Kulusevski has been sidelined for 16 months due to a knee injury. Although he has participated in some team training sessions, he recently suffered a setback.

Summer loan signing Mykhailo Mudryk is out until after the international break with an ankle injury.

Wilson Odobert ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament back in February, with his return now projected for late this year, around November or December.

Meanwhile, Xavi Simons is recovering from a serious knee injury sustained in April, which will keep him out at least until spring 2027.

Notably, for the first time in the club’s 144-year history, Tottenham have started a Premier League season with four consecutive matches without scoring a single goal.