Aston Villa v Spurs - the stats

We take on our final Premier League game before March’s international break on Sunday evening as we travel to Aston Villa (7.30pm kick-off).

Ahead of the trip to Villa Park, we take a look through the key numbers behind the game.

Park life

In recent years, we have enjoyed our meetings with Aston Villa. In our last 19 encounters with the Villans in all competitions, we have lost just once and have come out on top in 11 of our last 12 fixtures. At their home of Villa Park, which we visit this Sunday, it has been over 13 years since we last tasted defeat – that was a 2-1 reverse back in January, 2008. Since that loss, we have won eight times in 10 visits to Villa’s 124-year-old home (D2), including each of the last five. Only once before in our history have we won more away games in a row against a single top-flight opponent – that, coincidentally, was also against Villa (a run of seven games between 1950 and 1956).

Five from five at Villa Park

Last time out

A late, late Heung-Min Son winner secured all three points for us on our last visit to Villa Park back in February, 2020. We had got off to a difficult start in the West Midlands as Toby Alderweireld put through his own net within the first 10 minutes of the encounter, yet he soon atoned for that own goal as, on 27 minutes, the Belgian international fired us level in spectacular fashion.

On the stroke of half-time we then got ourselves in front as Sonny scored his first of the game. After Steven Bergwijn was brought down in the box, we were awarded penalty which our number seven had the responsibility of taking. His initial effort was saved by Pepe Reina but he flicked home the rebound to give us the lead at the break. Eight minutes into the second half, however, the scores were back level as Bjorn Engels headed in for the hosts.

As the seconds ticked away, we looked to be heading towards a draw in Birmingham but, deep into stoppage time, a mistake from Engels at the back allowed Son in and he made no mistake when one-on-one with Reina, coolly slotting home to send the Spurs faithful into raptures as we claimed a dramatic victory on the road.

Villa’s form

It has been, without question, a great season so far for Aston Villa. From a side which just about held onto their Premier League status last year with a point on the final day away to West Ham to one that now, with 11 games of the current campaign to go, sit ninth and just five points adrift of the European places, the Villans have turned their fortunes around.

Yet, despite having won eight of their first 13 games this term, the men in claret and blue have struggled in recent weeks, winning just four of their last 14 games. They have also won only one of their last four games at home – a 1-0 victory over Arsenal in February.

That downturn in form has largely been due to their drop-off in front of goal. In their first 13 Premier League games of the season, Villa were averaging a striking 2.1 goals per game but, in their last 14 games, they have scored just 12 goals and not more than two goals in a single fixture. At the other end of the pitch though, their defensive strengths continue to impress as they have kept 14 clean sheets this season. To put that into context, only two other teams have managed more shutouts in the competition than the Villans this term – Manchester City (16) and Chelsea (15). Many of those clean sheets for the Birmingham-based side have come at home, including five in their last seven outings at Villa Park.

We, meanwhile, have endured a tough run on the road recently having won just one of our last five Premier League away games outside of London (W1, L3) – our last win away from the capital came against Sheffield United (3-1) in January. We also last tasted victory over a team in the top half of the Premier League on the road over 15 months ago - a 2-1 win over Wolves at Molineux in December, 2019.

Heroes and Villans

Harry Kane has enjoyed his last few outings against Aston Villa having scored five goals in his last three Premier League games against them. That run includes back-to-back braces in his last two such matches against the Villans. Gareth Bale, meanwhile, also has fond memories of facing the men in claret and blue having scored the first league hat-trick of his senior club career in his last appearance against them – a 4-0 victory for us at Villa Park in December, 2012.

Villa captain Jack Grealish, meanwhile, could return for the Villans when they face us on Sunday evening. The talismanic figure for Dean Smith's side has missed their last five Premier League games - a period in which they managed just one victory. With Grealish in the side, Aston Villa have won 50 per cent of their games, compared to just 20 per cent without him.