Tottenham head into the weekend desperate to keep their survival push alive—yet not everyone believes they will continue their momentum at Villa Park.
With the Premier League season entering its decisive stage, results matter more than performances for Spurs. At this point, the mission is simple: win, gather points, and climb out of the relegation zone as they remain locked in a tense battle with West Ham United.
Spurs were left frustrated two weeks ago when a late defensive lapse allowed Brighton to snatch a last-minute equaliser at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Kevin Danso’s failure to clear inside the six-yard area gifted Georginio Rutter a tap-in that stunned the home crowd. But Tottenham responded exactly how a struggling side must—by grinding out a gritty 1-0 win away at Wolves.
Now, the challenge is to build on that step forward.
Roberto De Zerbi and his squad know what is at stake when they travel to Villa Park on Sunday. The fixture is a must-win encounter, especially with West Ham holding a slender lead above the drop zone. Should the Hammers slip up at Brentford and Spurs claim three points, Tottenham could finally escape the bottom three.
Chris Sutton predicts a setback for Spurs
Despite Tottenham’s renewed hope, not everyone is convinced they can take the next step.
Writing for the BBC, Chris Sutton predicted that Spurs will struggle at Villa Park, arguing that last week’s win over Wolves may not be as significant as it seems.
“Tottenham probably need to win three of their last four games to stay up but, although they finally won in 2026 when they beat Wolves last week, I am not sure it has given them any momentum.”
Sutton pointed out that Wolves have been one of the league’s poorest sides this season and insisted Spurs “made hard work” of the victory. He believes Aston Villa, even with a Europa League semi-final to juggle, will still have too much quality on Sunday.
“What helps Spurs here is that Villa have their Europa League semi-final against Nottingham Forest to contend with… Even so, I still feel like Villa will be too good. This defeat will send Spurs one step closer to the drop… 2-0 Villa.”
Why Sutton doubts Tottenham
Sutton’s pessimism stems from Tottenham’s inconsistency and their struggles in high-pressure matches. He notes that De Zerbi’s side have shown little to suggest they can match a motivated Aston Villa team chasing a Champions League spot.
Tottenham’s recent record at Villa Park does little to inspire confidence either. The Lilywhites have lost three of their last four visits, and Unai Emery’s men have already completed a league double over them this season—winning both games 2-1 in north London.
De Zerbi himself has yet to establish a strong record against Villa, losing three of the four matches he has overseen against the West Midlands club.
Spurs face a defining moment
While Sutton’s prediction won’t sit well with Tottenham supporters, the situation remains in Spurs’ hands. Villa’s involvement in Europe could force squad rotation, which may offer De Zerbi’s team a slim advantage.
But Spurs must show courage, composure, and resilience—qualities they have displayed only in flashes this season.
If they can rise to the challenge and claim victory, the relegation picture could shift dramatically. If they fall short, as Sutton predicts, survival becomes an even steeper climb.
One thing is certain: Tottenham cannot afford another slip as the clock ticks toward the final chapter of a tense Premier League season.
