Tottenham Hotspur manager Thomas Frank continues to deal with a growing injury crisis as his side prepares to face Aston Villa in the Premier League this Sunday.
The North London club will host Unai Emery’s men at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, hoping to build momentum and secure their fifth win of the season.
However, the task has become more complicated with several key players ruled out or facing late fitness tests after the international break.
Tottenham head into the match in mixed spirits. Their recent 2-1 victory over Leeds United provided a much-needed boost, with Mathys Tel and Mohammed Kudus both finding the back of the net.
That result showcased the team’s attacking depth, but Frank’s concern lies with the number of injuries piling up across the squad.
Over the international break, the Spurs manager kept a close eye on his players’ involvement with their national teams, praying to avoid fresh setbacks. Unfortunately, luck wasn’t on his side.
Yves Bissouma became the latest casualty after sustaining an ankle injury while representing Mali. The midfielder appeared in severe pain before being stretchered off, leading to fears of a lengthy layoff.
Reports from Mali’s camp suggest he is expected to be sidelined for at least two to three weeks, depending on his recovery progress.
His absence will be a major blow to Frank’s midfield setup, as Bissouma’s physicality and composure in possession have been vital to Spurs’ structure this season.
Adding to the list of concerns, striker Dominic Solanke remains unavailable as he continues to recover from an ankle procedure he underwent at the end of September.
Frank confirmed after Tottenham’s Europa Conference League trip to Bodo that the surgery went well but emphasized that Solanke’s return timeline will become clearer after the international break.
His absence has limited Tottenham’s attacking options, forcing Frank to rely on younger players and new signings in key moments.
There is some positive news, however. Randal Kolo Muani has resumed full training and could be in contention to feature against Villa. His pace and creativity could provide a much-needed spark in the attacking third, offering Spurs an extra dimension in transition play.
Similarly, versatile defender Kota Takai has returned to full fitness after battling a plantar fascia problem and might be available for selection.
Dejan Kulusevski, on the other hand, remains a major doubt. The Swedish winger is still undergoing rehabilitation for a knee injury and has not yet rejoined full team training.
Frank has repeatedly underlined his importance to the squad, describing him as a “key, key player” who offers intelligence and balance in wide areas. “Instead of putting an exact month on his return, I just want him back as quickly as possible,” Frank said, acknowledging the work both the medical staff and Kulusevski himself are putting into his recovery.
Meanwhile, centre-back Radu Dragusin is making steady progress after suffering an ACL injury earlier this year. Frank confirmed that the defender has been training on grass for the past three weeks but admitted it would still take a few more weeks before he is ready to feature competitively.
His return will be a welcome addition to a defense that has struggled with depth since the start of the campaign.
Long-term absentee James Maddison remains on the sidelines as well. The midfielder, who suffered a devastating ACL injury during pre-season, isn’t expected to return to action until next summer.
Despite being out for the season, Maddison has remained in high spirits, regularly updating fans about his recovery journey through his YouTube channel.
His absence continues to be felt in Tottenham’s creativity, with Frank yet to find a player capable of replicating his vision and technical brilliance in midfield.
As Spurs prepare to take on a confident Aston Villa side, Thomas Frank will have to make some difficult selection choices. The team’s resilience has been tested early this season, and this match will be another opportunity for the younger players and new recruits to step up.
With the injuries mounting, Tottenham’s depth and tactical adaptability will be key to keeping their top-four ambitions alive as the campaign intensifies.
