Tottenham Hotspur

Melissa Edwards
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Tottenham boss Thomas Frank has been speaking to the media before Wednesday's Champions League game against Monaco at Stade Louis-II (kick-off 20:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Cristian Romero has an abductor strain and will miss the match, alongside fellow defender Destiny Udogie, who didn't travel because of a "knee irritation".

• However, Frank said the club are "assessing" the pair day by day and fans should not be concerned about the injury to their captain.

• On how Xavi Simons is settling after his summer move: "He's a very good player coming into a new country, new club, new city. We're all getting judged every game but we need to see the bigger perspective. There were some good bits - asking him to arrive in the box, and he did. It's constantly going in the right direction."

• Brennan Johnson is yet to score this Champions League campaign and Frank believes getting the best out of the forward is about "making it fit".

• The boss said: "He's a very important player. Such important goals last season and top scorer. Started the season well here so it's down to making it fit. Brennan can play both left and right - Mo [Kudus] has done good on the right and, on the left, Wilson [Odobert] has done well."

• Spurs drew 2-2 with Bodo/Glimt in their last European away game but Frank is confident in his travelling team: "Away form has been very good. We've been good in the football foundation. We have a good base and middle and low block. We're one of the most progressive teams in the final third. We need to do the same tomorrow against a very good team."

• On his tactical set-up, he added: "It's not the system, it's the guiding principles. Performances have been, overall, competitive. We need to add extra layers though."

Ali Speechly
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

A Europa League trophy after a long silverware drought. Numerous internationals in the squad, including a World Cup winner as our captain. Young players with a point to prove and older players who know the drill.

So where is the confidence, composure and courage - especially in front of goal?

Defeat by Aston Villa was only our second loss in the league so far this season, but both of those have come at home.

If Thomas Frank wants to make the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium a fortress, he and his players have work to do.

A fortress is synonymous with being impenetrable and, in fairness, our defensive play is much more organised and robust under Frank - as evidenced by the two shots Villa were restricted to, both from outside the box.

Despite those shots resulting in goals, in their separate post-match interviews, Frank and Micky van de Ven insisted that the defence is doing its job. Instead, questions are being asked of the players in front of them.

The lack of a competent and clinical striker was painfully clear against Villa. What could previously be dismissed - if you covered your ears - as a faint alarm bell in the distance, muffled somewhat by the signing of Randal Kolo Muani, has now become a deafening klaxon.

However, we still have an abundance of attacking players in our squad who are capable of scoring goals - and we need them to feel confident in their ability to do so.

In particular, Xavi Simons has the look of a player who is desperate to score the perfect goal and is hesitating when the opportunity to do anything less than ideal presents itself.

Chances are being created but, as the Spurs fans trudged home in the rain, we were left wondering who is going to take them.

Find more from Ali Speechly at Women Of The Lane, external and on Instagram, external

Porto's Spanish striker Samu Omorodion Aghehowa, 21, is on Tottenham's list of transfer targets. (TBR Football, external), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Tuesday's full gossip column.

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We asked for your thoughts after Sunday's Premier League match between Tottenham and Aston Villa.

Here are some of your comments:

Spurs fans

Ralph: Spurs played great football across the backline from one side to the other, but they were too slow in attack and had no idea in front of goal. Villa were more positive and deserved to win.

Roger: With the exception of Mohammed Kudus, the quality and technique of our attacking players and strikers is nowhere near good enough for the Premier League. Our back six have more composure in front of goal. Even when we eventually get Dominic Solanke, Dejan Kulusevski and James Maddison back, it's likely to be a long time, if at all, before they hit top form.

Frank: So weak in front of goal. Plenty of chances missed by 'forwards' - not a clinical finisher in sight. At this rate they'll be lucky to end the season mid-table.

Villa fans

Cassie: Now, that was a great game. Villa played the way we knew they could. They didn't buckle after going 1-0 down, and Morgan Rogers took his chance and scored a beauty. It was a physical game, but we gave as good as we got. Onwards and upwards - well done, Villa.

Prit: We rode our luck at times but Villa definitely deserved this through true endeavour. If this match was six weeks ago, heads would have dropped after going a goal down, but not this time.

Steve: Starting to look like the top six club we had become over the past two seasons again! Finally playing with good confidence and following the gameplan. Great goals as well from two very talented players in Rogers and Emi Buendia. On the up again. UTV!

Pundits Shay Given and Troy Deeney join host Mark Chapman to bring you the action and talking points from Sunday's Premier League fixtures.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Tottenham 1-2 Aston Villa

• Liverpool 1-2 Man Utd

Tottenham and Arsenal are among the Premier League clubs interested in St-Etienne's 17-year-old striker Djylian N'Guessan. (Caught Offside), external

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Michael Emons
BBC Sport journalist

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Tottenham would have gone second with a win and third with a draw, but instead are now sixth after losing 2-1 at home to Aston Villa, despite taking a fifth-minute lead.

They suffered only their second league defeat since Thomas Frank replaced Ange Postecoglou, whose Europa League triumph was not enough to keep him in a job.

In some regards, the poor result after a good performance on Sunday, was similar to those league matches last season under Postecoglou, who was sacked by Nottingham Forest on Saturday after only 39 days in charge of them.

Frank received a setback just before the match as club captain Cristian Romero suffered an injury in the warm-up, with Austria international Kevin Danso drafted in for his first league start of the season, while Micky van de Ven was handed the armband.

However, they still managed to take an early lead through Rodrigo Bentancur's half-volley and thought they had gone 2-0 ahead in the sixth minute only for Mohammed Kudus to be judged offside as he had started his run too early before arrowing a low strike into the bottom corner.

After Rogers' equaliser, Tottenham arguably had the better chances. Mathys Tel failed to connect with a close-range volley after referee Simon Hooper allowed play to continue, despite the ball earlier hitting him, and Van de Ven wasted another opportunity by heading over.

Villa's winner - only their second shot on target - came against the run of play and Tottenham could still have levelled.

Striker Randal Kolo Muani - on his first Premier League appearance since his season-long loan from Paris St-Germain - and Brennan Johnson failed to convert chances as Emery's men took the points, with Spurs now having just one point from their past three home league games.

Thomas Frank spoke to Sky Sports after Tottenham's defeat against Aston Villa: "It was exactly the game I expected it to be, against two good teams, very tight. There weren't too many chances. I think overall it could've gone either way. I think 1-1 would've been a fair result. Villa scored two goals from outside the box in moments where you wouldn't expect them to score. Fair play for their moments of quality. We also easily could've won."

On Cristian Romero pulling out in the warm-up: "Minor abductor injury. He felt a little bit the past few days. We expected him to be fine but he wasn't. I don't think it is too big.

"There were two big teams on the pitch. We started very well. Villa produced two goals out of nothing and we had four or five moments where we couldn't produce. If you told me before the game that these players will be shooting from these positions I'd have said 'happy days'."

How can Spurs fix home form: "I think we just win."

Defender Micky van de Ven spoke also spoke to Sky Sports after Sunday's defeat: "A tough game, a tight game. We know they're a really tough team to play against."

On Cristian Romero pulling out in the warm up: "We knew he was a doubt during the week already. But of course it's always bad when he pulls out in the warm-up. But I think Kevin [Danso] came in and did really well.

"I don't think we did enough. If we'd done enough we wouldn't have lost this game. I don't think we gave too much away, they scored two goals from outside the box. But I think we can also create more for ourselves.

"We always give 100% to the fans and the club and everyone."

Did you know?

• Since the start of last season, Tottenham Hotspur have dropped more points from winning positions at home in the Premier League (19) than any other side, losing five times after leading at home in the division in this time, also a league-high tally.

• With just four points in four home Premier League games this season (W1 D1 L2), this is Tottenham's poorest home start to a league campaign since 2008-09, when they had one point from their opening four at home.

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Spurs' performance

What did you make of Villa's display?

Come back on Monday for a selection of your replies

Thomas Frank makes one change to the Tottenham side that began the 2-1 win at Leeds as Djed Spence replaces Destiny Udogie at full-back.

France forward Randal Kolo Muani is among the substitutes and could make his Premier League debut following his season-long loan move from Paris St-Germain as he has recovered from an injury that has restricted him to one Champions League appearance this season.

Tottenham XI: Vicario, Spence, Romero, Van de Ven, Porro, Bentancur, Palhinha, Odobert, Simons, Kudus, Tel.

Subs: Kinsky, Gray, Danso, Matar Sarr, Byfield, Bergvall, Johnson, Kolo Muani, Richarlison.

Two changes for Aston Villa from the side that beat Burnley 2-1 on 5 October.

Ollie Watkins, who picked up an injury while on international duty with England, is among the substitutes, while Lamare Bogarde also drops out. In come Evann Guessand and Amadou Onana, while Jadon Sancho and Harvey Elliott are among Villa's other options on the bench.

Aston Villa XI: Martinez, Digne, Torres, Konsa, Cash, Onana, Kamara, McGinn, Rogers, Guessand, Malen.

Subs: Bizot, Lindelof, Maatsen, Barkley, Bogarde, Buendia, Elliott, Sancho, Watkins.

There are two games in the Premier League on Saturday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Tottenham v Aston Villa (14:00) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Liverpool v Man Utd (16:30) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

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After a slow start to the season, Aston Villa are on a good run of results with four straight wins now.

I am still not convinced by their performances, though, and this will be a good test of where Unai Emery's side are really at and whether they have actually turned a corner or not.

I don't watch Tottenham and feel like they will score a barrel-load of goals, but they have got a good balance to their team and I am backing them to find a way to win this.

Sutton's prediction: 2-1

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Noel Sliney
BBC Sport senior journalist

Thomas Frank seeks his first win against Unai Emery at the sixth attempt when their in-form sides meet on Sunday. BBC Sport examines some of the key themes going into that match.

Pragmatism is bringing points for Spurs, at an average of two per game so far under Frank. Their tally of 14 points from seven matches is as many as they managed in the last 19 league fixtures of Ange Postecoglou's reign.

A more compact Spurs look defensively sound, with only Arsenal conceding fewer top-flight goals this season. The next step for Frank is to improve his side's attacking cohesion.

Tottenham have been clinical in the league this season – scoring five more goals than expected given the quality of chances they have had, and boasting a shot conversion rate only bettered by Manchester City. However, only one in every 13 of their passages of play - 7.8% - has ended in an attempt on goal. Only five teams have a lower percentage, while it is Tottenham's lowest figure for six seasons.

A long-term injury to Dominic Solanke has robbed Spurs of a focal point at the apex of their attack; he would be a natural fit for their more direct style under Frank.

Xavi Simons added some ingenuity in the number 10 role away to Leeds before the international break, but it was Mohammed Kudus who again stood out. The £55m summer signing scored his first goal for the club and, as so often this season, provided the bulk of their attacking threat. He has made the most successful dribbles in the division, provided a joint-high four assists and ranks in the top five for most chances created and most instances of carrying the ball at least five metres upfield.

Sunday's match against Aston Villa is the start of a tough-looking run of fixtures for Spurs. They next travel to Everton, who are unbeaten at home, before successive games against Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal.

Villa have responded to their longest winless start to a season since 1964 with four straight victories – a current run only matched by Arsenal among Premier League teams.

Like Spurs, Villa are showing signs of finding a better balance in attack, albeit they have faced obliging opponents of late. Their growing confidence will be put to the test over the coming weeks, with three successive Premier League fixtures against Champions League sides. After Spurs, they host Manchester City and then face Liverpool at Anfield.

Emery will be aware of the need for improvement against the top teams – Villa only earned one point from their six away league fixtures last season against current Champions League sides.

Sean Byrne
BBC Sport researcher

Tottenham boss Thomas Frank has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League game against Aston Villa at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. (kick-off 14:00).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• He gave an update on injuries: "Randal Kolo Muani has trained for two weeks with the team - he looks better and better - and he's in contention for the weekend. Yves Bissouma unfortunately had a situation with the national team and has a ligament issue in his ankle so he'll be out for a few weeks."

• On the latest with Dominic Solanke's recovery: "Dom's progressed well post-surgery. The good thing is he is progressing, but he is still training on his own. I don't want to be too negative or get too excited. How long he takes [to return], I don't know."

• On potentially having to rotate the squad due to injuries: "We all have an idea in our heads what the strongest team is with everyone available but I have to create the strongest team with what players are available now."

• On improving Tottenham's home form: "We would like our home to be a fortress. That is the aim. If we can make it an unbelievably difficult place to come, then the job is half done. This needs cohesion between the team and the fans. Every game of football goes up and down with good and bad spells so we need the fans. When the fans are behind the team and the stadium is rocking, it is an unbelievable place."

• On the new structure at Spurs spearheaded by the re-appointment of Fabio Paratici as sporting director: "Positive about the return of Fabio Paratici. Obviously, he worked as a consultant for the club so I've met him a few times over the last few months. I'm looking forward to working together. I'm in no doubt we will all create a good team. I'm used to working with two sporting directors - I did so at Brentford. I think you need two sporting directors now. I think they will complement each other well. It is the perfect match."

• On Aston Villa's forward progress as a club: "I'm not surprised because I see a lot of the same things from the last few seasons. They are very good in the build up with fantastic players: Morgan Rogers, Ollie Watkins, Donyell Malen... it is a top team. They are growing. In an unbelievably tight game on Sunday, I hope and believe we can (get the win) in what will be a tough game."

Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Listen to full commentary of Tottenham v Aston Villa on Sunday from 14:00 BST on BBC Radio 5 Live

Nicolas Raskin is on Tottenham's radar, but that should not stop Rangers' new head coach building a team around the 24-year-old Belgian midfielder. (Daily Mail), external

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The 25-player shortlist for the Golden Boy award was revealed on Wednesday, with nine players from the Premier League selected.

The award, created by Italian newspaper Tuttosport, is given to the best under-21 footballer each year, with Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal last year's winner.

For a player to be considered for selection in 2025, they must have been born on or after 1 January 2005 and belong to a squad in one of Uefa's top 25 leagues.

Arsenal's Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri have both been selected after their breakthrough seasons in 2024-25.

Lewis-Skelly played 40 times across all competitions and also made his England senior debut, while Nwaneri appeared 37 times and scored nine goals.

Chelsea are represented twice, with summer arrivals Estevao, who scored his first goal for the club with a dramatic late winner against Liverpool before the international break, and defender Jorrel Hato making the shortlist.

Tottenham Hotspur also feature, with midfielders Lucas Bergvall and Archie Gray being chosen.

Manchester United defender Leny Yoro, Manchester City full-back Nico O'Reilly and Liverpool centre half Giovanni Leoni - a wildcard choice - have also been selected.

An international jury of 50 journalists will decide the winner, which will be revealed at a news conference in November.

Chris Collinson
BBC Sport statistician

Image source, Getty Images

While most teams' expected goal difference marries up quite closely to their actual one, it is clear that Tottenham are by far the hottest side in the league in terms of form.

Not only have they been the most ruthless side in front of goal by scoring five more goals than expected given the chances they have had, at the other end goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario has had to be at the top of his game, preventing more goals than any other keeper in the league (2.9).

While this is obviously great in the short term, Thomas Frank will want to quickly improve his new club's dominance in games as the former manager of stats-savvy Brentford will likely know that significantly overperforming your xG does not last forever.

Read more on what expected goals tell us about the start to the season

Chris Collinson
BBC Sport statistician

Image source, Getty Images

The Premier League table is starting to take shape and while results are obviously what matter most, they don't tell the whole story in terms of how teams have been playing so far.

Expected goals (xG) tells us how much teams have been dominating games by creating lots of good chances up front and restricting opponents to few, bad ones at the back.

Penalties are excluded because they distort a team's numbers on how threatening or vulnerable they are in general, especially at this early stage.

Below is a graphic showing how good teams have been in attack and defence, with the most dominant teams in the top-right corner and the least impressive in the bottom-left corner.

Arsenal and Manchester City have been the most dominant sides, with the Gunners having the best defence and fourth-best attack and City the joint-best attack and fourth-best defence.

High-flying Crystal Palace are the only side to rival City's attacking threat, while Newcastle are living up to their name by being almost as impregnable at the back as Arsenal.

Both Manchester United and Chelsea have one of the top five attacks in the league but worryingly also rank in the bottom five defensively.

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Liverpool's back-to-back defeats following five straight wins gives a more accurate picture of how they have been playing, while Tottenham have needed to be very efficient to make up for their lack of dominance in games.

Aston Villa's early-season struggles are no longer to do with finishing - they have now scored six non-penalty goals from an xG of 6.0 - but simply because they have not been playing well.

While promoted sides Leeds and Sunderland have adapted quite well to the top-flight, Burnley have struggled to make the jump so far with both the worst attack and the worst defence.

Read more on what expected goals tell us about the start to the season

Tottenham are preparing a blockbuster move to bring Harry Kane back to north London from Bayern Munich next summer and are ready to meet the 32-year-old England captain's release clause and wage demands. (Teamtalk), external

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Sami Mokbel
Senior football correspondent

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One of the biggest unkept secrets in English football is finally out: Fabio Paratici's official return to Tottenham Hotspur has been confirmed.

Of course, since severing ties with Spurs because of his suspension, the Italian - renowned as one of Europe's leading sporting directors - has been working on a consultancy basis for the club.

BBC Sport has reported regularly over the year that the wheels were in motion towards Paratici returning to the club on an official basis in 2025, though there was a dalliance with AC Milan in the summer.

Given his links to Daniel Levy, the Italian's return looked unclear when the former executive chairman left Spurs last month.

So it is testament to Paratici's reputation that the club's new-look ownership team have retained their commitment to re-employing the administrator.

The attraction to Paratici is clear. He has one of the most extensive contacts book in the game - who he doesn't know probably isn't worth knowing.

It will be interesting to see how he works with joint sporting director Johan Lange, but either way, Paratici's know-how and understanding in the transfer market will continue to be invaluable for Tottenham.

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