Tottenham XI vs Aston Villa: Confirmed team news, predicted lineup and injury latest for Premier League

Tottenham will be boosted by the return of vice-captain Pedro Porro as they look to end their goalless and winless start to the Premier League season at home against Aston Villa.

Head coach Roberto De Zerbi will desperately want to head into an extended three-week international break with some momentum and knows his side have a good opportunity to kick-start their season by inflicting more pain on Aston Villa.

Unai Emery’s side are also without a league win this season but secured their place in the Carabao Cup fourth round with a 3-1 win over Coventry on Wednesday.

While Spurs’ main issues on the pitch have come in attack, they have also struggled for fitness again, with De Zerbi bemoaning an unstructured pre-season that has left his players physically off the mark.

The club’s revamped medical team have also taken a more cautious approach to player returns, keen to avoid a repeat of the injury crisis that has derailed their last two seasons.

De Zerbi has therefore struggled to name a settled starting lineup so far this term, with first-choice full-backs Porro and Destiny Udogie left out as a precaution as Spurs drew 0-0 at home to Everton last weekend.

Injury doubt: Tottenham could remain without Sandro Tonali against Aston Villa

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Dejan Kulusevski was not named in the squad to face Liverpool and has struggled to put together a full week of team training as he eases his way back to fitness after nearly a year-and-a-half out injured.

He is unlikely to be involved against Villa, while Wilson Odobert and Xavi Simons are long-term absentees.

Ukrainian winger Mykhailo Mudryk, who was signed on loan from Chelsea on Deadline Day, remains out with an ankle injury suffered in training.

De Zerbi described the injury, which came after Mudryk made his first competitive appearance in nearly two years against Nottingham Forest, as “stupid”, with the 25-year-old set to be out until after the international break.

Predicted Tottenham XI (4-2-3-1): Kinsky; Porro, Van Hecke, Van de Ven, Udogie; Bentancur, Gallagher; Savio, Fernandes, Marmoush; Solanke