Tottenham receive unexpected boost as Aston Villa sweat over injury blow

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Spurs are set to get back to Premier League action this weekend, as they welcome Aston Villa to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Spurs will be hoping to make it two league wins on the bounce, following their narrow but deserved 2-1 victory over Leeds United just before the international break.

Aston Villa, on the other hand, will be chasing a third consecutive league win, after a sluggish start to the season that saw them collect only three points from their opening five league fixtures.

Despite their recent upturn, Unai Emery’s side could be facing an untimely setback ahead of their trip to north London.

Ollie Watkins injury casts doubt over Tottenham involvement

Tottenham Hotspur could very much have been handed a major injury boost, with Aston Villa forward Ollie Watkins nursing a knock following a nasty-looking collision with the goalpost while attempting to get on the end of a cross.

According to The Athletic, Watkins has been forced to withdraw from the England camp due to the injury and has since returned to Aston Villa for assessment.

The 29-year-old picked up the knock during England’s 3-0 win over Wales on Thursday and was substituted just before half-time, despite having grabbed a goal earlier in the game.

After the match, Watkins told reporters, “I’m fine,” yet he was seen limping through the mix zone rather gingerly and did not appear entirely comfortable.

Tottenham handed potential boost as Randal Kolo Muani nears return

Watkins has now scored two goals in his last four appearances for club and country, and his potential absence would undoubtedly be a major blow for Villa ahead of Sunday’s clash.

While Unai Emery may be sweating on his star striker’s fitness, Tottenham have been handed a timely boost of their own, with Randal Kolo Muani stepping up his recovery from a dead leg.

Muani, who has featured for only 13 minutes since joining Spurs, was recently involved in a behind-closed-doors match against Championship side Watford, where he played 45 minutes as he continues to build sharpness.

Thomas Frank will be hopeful that the Frenchman has finally shrugged off the knock that has kept him out for the past month, with his return adding further attacking depth for Tottenham ahead of a key run of fixtures.