Tottenham Hotspur head into a decisive clash with Aston Villa knowing survival is still within reach, especially after West Ham’s defeat to Brentford handed them a timely boost.
Despite spending most of the season in the relegation zone, Spurs now have a real opportunity to climb out — but they’ll have to do it under difficult circumstances.
Roberto De Zerbi is dealing with a growing injury list, with Xavi Simons ruled out with an ACL injury and Dominic Solanke unlikely to return soon after a hamstring setback. That leaves the Spurs boss searching for attacking solutions ahead of the Villa trip.
In Solanke’s absence, Richarlison is expected to lead the line, potentially alongside Mathys Tel and Randal Kolo Muani in a reshaped front three.
Richarlison has divided opinion among supporters, but his numbers tell a strong story. The Brazilian is currently Tottenham’s top scorer this season, registering 15 goal contributions, including 10 goals across all competitions. He also made an impact off the bench in the recent win over Wolves, helping Spurs secure their first victory of 2026.
Speaking ahead of the game, De Zerbi was full of praise for the forward — not just for his footballing ability, but also his personality.
“He’s a great guy, very sensitive and pure,” De Zerbi said. “You can understand what he feels straight away from his face and his eyes. I like him both as a player and as a man.”
However, the manager was clear that the team must do more to get the best out of him.
“We have to create the right conditions for him to score. I want all our attackers to be in positions where they can attack space, take shots, go one-on-one, and provide assists. In the second half against Wolves, we didn’t do that well enough.”
With Spurs fighting for survival, the responsibility now falls heavily on Richarlison’s shoulders. His experience in relegation battles during his time at Everton could prove crucial in the weeks ahead.
Staying fit will be key. Injuries have disrupted his time in North London, but if he can remain available and find form, he could play a decisive role in Tottenham’s bid to stay up.
A strong performance — or even a goal — against Aston Villa could be exactly what both player and club need at this critical stage of the season.
