Follow live coverage as Aston Villa face Tottenham Hotspur today in the Premier League. Another top-flight season will be covered in full right here with The Independent, as reigning champions Manchester City look to make it an unprecedented five titles in a row come the end of 2024/25.
The likes of Arsenal and Liverpool will be chasing Pep Guardiola's side, but just as fascinating will be the race for Champions League places, with more teams than ever before having designs on top-four finishes. Chelsea remain big-spending, Manchester United's latest rebuild continues and both Tottenham and Newcastle will expect improvements this year - yet it was Aston Villa who snared fourth last term.
Meanwhile, it's Southampton, Leicester City and Ipswich Town who made it back to the elite after promotion last year and each will have hope they can make it more than a one-year stay. Follow the latest live action from the Premier League below:
Aston Villa FC 1 - 0 Tottenham Hotspur FC
Aston Villa vs Tottenham Hotspur
20:51SHARP SAVE! Kinsky to the rescue again - Villa should lead 2-0! Watkins seems set to score the hosts' second goal at Villa Park, but Davies dives in and puts him off. The striker's low shot is then palmed away by Kinsky at full stretch!
Aston Villa vs Tottenham Hotspur
20:51Yellow Card Mathys Henri Tel
Aston Villa vs Tottenham Hotspur
20:48Assist Oliver George Arthur Watkins
Aston Villa vs Tottenham Hotspur
20:47Asensio wins another corner-kick, this time on the right, and he then curls the dead-ball towards the penalty spot. Spurs clear their lines, but Villa build again, and Maatsen has a 20-yard shot blocked behind by Danso.
Aston Villa vs Tottenham Hotspur
20:46Tottenham's period of pressure ends when a crossfield pass zips over the head of Son, who has been impressive today. Surely he's proven his fitness ahead of next week's Europa League final.
Aston Villa vs Tottenham Hotspur
20:44Son and then Reguilon both fail to pick out a colleague inside Villa's box with crosses from the left, as Spurs enjoy their best spell of the second half so far.
Aston Villa vs Tottenham Hotspur
20:41In the aftermath of Tel and Konsa's coming together, Reguilon and Onana confront each other angrily and also go head to head. The referee has his work cut out to cool tempers, but eventually play resumes.
Aston Villa vs Tottenham Hotspur
20:41Substitution Pape Matar Sarr Yves Bissouma
Aston Villa vs Tottenham Hotspur
20:40The referee is quickly on the scene as Tel and Konsa go head to head in midfield. Team-mates of both men help to calm down the flashpoint, which was sparked by Konsa hauling over his opponent.
Aston Villa vs Tottenham Hotspur
20:39Influential in the first half, Asensio is back on the ball again. He draws Spence into conceding a corner on the left, but the playmaker's subsequent set-piece delivery is lofted straight towards Kinsky.
Aston Villa vs Tottenham Hotspur
20:34Aston Villa kick off, and we are back under way in Birmingham!
Aston Villa vs Tottenham Hotspur
20:31Aston Villa have won four of their last five games in the Premier League after going in level at the break, which bodes well for their chances of victory today. After surviving a few early scares, they have since minimised Tottenham's threat, so Emery will not be too concerned just yet. Furthermore, the home side have much more depth on the bench by comparison with injury-hit Spurs, who might wind down their efforts as the game goes on - the visitors have at least one eye on a season-defining clash in Bilbao.
Aston Villa vs Tottenham Hotspur
20:25Needing three points in their quest for Champions League qualification, Aston Villa are being frustrated on home turf by Tottenham, as the scoreline remains 0-0 at half-time. Rogers came closest to scoring for Villa, drawing a fine save from Spurs 'keeper Kinsky, while Odobert tested Martinez with a neat flick and Son fired narrowly over the top. The hosts have had a 72% share of possession and lead the xG with 0.81 to their visitors' 0.28, yet Tottenham are posing a persistent threat on the counter. Emery's men must try to match - or better - Chelsea's result against Tottenham's fellow Europa League finalists, Manchester United, so they will surely throw everything forward in search of a second-half goal - and that will suit Spurs.
Aston Villa vs Tottenham Hotspur
20:19HALF-TIME: ASTON VILLA 0-0 TOTTENHAM
Aston Villa vs Tottenham Hotspur
20:19There will be just one minute added to the end of this fluent first half, which has flown by with very few stoppages.
Aston Villa vs Tottenham Hotspur
20:18After Maatsen wins a corner by thumping his cross straight into Gray, Asensio takes it short. Eventually, McGinn sends the ball in, but Cash can't control his header, allowing Spurs to extinguish any threat.
Aston Villa vs Tottenham Hotspur
20:16Kinsky is alert to the danger, snuffing out a firm cross from the left flank by Maatsen, as Spurs edge towards half-time with the score still goalless. Given the circumstances - such as injuries and other priorities - they've acquitted themselves well so far.
Aston Villa vs Tottenham Hotspur
20:15When Asensio's delivery from the left is cleared, Spurs strike hard on the counter. Once again, Son streaks away down the left flank, causing Villa to hurriedly back-track, but his low cross swings along the box without picking out any team-mates.
Aston Villa vs Tottenham Hotspur
20:12McGinn sends in a free-kick from around 40 yards out, and Konsa rises highest in the penalty area. However, the defender's downward header skips tamely off the turf and straight towards a waiting Kinsky.
Aston Villa vs Tottenham Hotspur
20:11JUST WIDE! Continuing his bright start to this match, Asensio comes so close to opening the scoring. He drifts inside from the right and holds off a couple of light challenges before curling a shot narrowly past the left-hand post!
Aston Villa vs Tottenham Hotspur
20:09Though they've carved out a couple of chances and could easily be in front, Tottenham still have just a 12% chance of winning this game, according to Opta's live win predictor. Aston Villa now have a 67% chance of claiming maximum points to boost their Champions League hopes.
Aston Villa vs Tottenham Hotspur
20:07In an increasingly rare foray forward, Spurs briefly threaten when Reguilon slings a dangerous cross into the Villa box, but it eventually comes to nothing.
Aston Villa vs Tottenham Hotspur
20:05Yellow Card Archie James Francis Gray
Aston Villa vs Tottenham Hotspur
20:04Villa's latest attack ends as Asensio and Rogers combine on the left, before the latter's lofted cross is miscontrolled over the right byline by Kamara. The hosts are totally on top.
Aston Villa vs Tottenham Hotspur
20:02Asensio beats two men with some deft footwork and then slips a throughball into the feet of Watkins, but the latter's low shot is charged down by an alert Danso - that's a vital block.
Aston Villa vs Tottenham Hotspur
20:01Allowed to advance from centre-back, Konsa reaches the final third before lofting a lovely ball up towards Asensio. Under pressure, the Spanish playmaker contrives a smart flicked attempt, but he can't find the target.
Aston Villa vs Tottenham Hotspur
19:59Tel crunches into a challenge on Rogers, drawing loud boos and whistles from the home fans, but the referee elects to keep his yellow card in his pocket this time.
Aston Villa vs Tottenham Hotspur
19:58Hurrying his attempt, Watkins pokes a tame effort straight at Kinsky from the edge of the box. Still, in such an open game, it looks like he'll have further chances to score his 17th Premier League goal of the season.
Aston Villa vs Tottenham Hotspur
19:56In some respects, history is on Tottenham's side today. They have won their final away fixture in each of the last four seasons - averaging four goals per game - and before Arsenal won here in August, they were the last side to leave Villa Park victorious in a Premier League match. In fact, they've beaten Villa in both of their last two league meetings, scoring eight times.
Aston Villa vs Tottenham Hotspur
19:55Yellow Card Matthew Stuart Cash
Aston Villa vs Tottenham Hotspur
19:53SUPER STOP! Denying Rogers what seems set to be the opening goal, Kinsky flies across his goal and fingertips the forward's flicked finish behind for a corner! It's a truly excellent save by Tottenham's stand-in goalkeeper, keeping the scoreline at 0-0!
Aston Villa vs Tottenham Hotspur
19:51Aston Villa may have had a 67% share of possession so far, but Tottenham are creating the better chances. Often slicing through their hosts on the break, the away side look to pose a real threat.
Aston Villa vs Tottenham Hotspur
19:49SHARP SAVE! Martinez makes a crucial save. After Tel sweeps a low cross along the box, Odobert cleverly flicks the ball towards the target, but he's denied by Villa's Argentinian goalkeeper! That's the best chance yet.
Aston Villa vs Tottenham Hotspur
19:48CLOSE! When Cash and Asensio make a mess of an attacking free-kick, Spurs raid forward on a rapid counter. In trademark style, Son races at a pair of Villa defenders, then lashes a powerful strike narrowly over the crossbar! It looks like Tottenham's skipper is in the mood to impress!
Aston Villa vs Tottenham Hotspur
19:45After a counter-attack led by Son earns Spurs their first corner, the visitors' captain swings the set-piece delivery in. However, it drifts too close to Martinez, who then comfortably claims it.
Aston Villa vs Tottenham Hotspur
19:44McGinn wriggles away from two defenders before rolling the ball back towards Maatsen on the edge of the area. Invited to strike on his weaker right foot, the Dutch left-back fires wildly over the top.
Aston Villa vs Tottenham Hotspur
19:42Following a brief flurry of activity, the hosts have resumed their unhurried dominance of the ball, with all 11 Spurs players back inside their own half. With much more motivation on their side, Villa are taking the initiative.
Aston Villa vs Tottenham Hotspur
19:40CHANCE! After Kinsky flaps at a high cross, Watkins plays a one-two then shoots tamely at the Spurs goalkeeper from the edge of the box. Moments later, McGinn drives an attempt high over the crossbar. Villa are building momentum.
Aston Villa vs Tottenham Hotspur
19:38For the first time, Tottenham have an extended spell on the ball, and they work it out wide to Son. He initially races past Cash and into the box, but his tame shot is delayed too long, allowing the Villa full-back to shut it down.
Aston Villa vs Tottenham Hotspur
19:36In the early stages, Villa are patiently keeping possession in their own half, probing for any gaps in the Spurs side. Pau Torres eventually pumps a long ball forward, but Kinsky comes off his line to gather it cleanly.
Aston Villa vs Tottenham Hotspur
19:34Aston Villa know that failure to win today could effectively end hopes of reprising this term’s Champions League adventure, but three points will see them move into the Premier League's top five at Manchester City’s expense. Meanwhile, Spurs intend to qualify for Europe's top tournament by winning the Europa League next Wednesday.
Aston Villa vs Tottenham Hotspur
19:32Tottenham kick off, and we are under way at Villa Park!
Aston Villa vs Tottenham Hotspur
19:31Both teams are out on the pitch in sunny Birmingham, so kick-off in this Premier League contest is now just moments away!
Aston Villa vs Tottenham Hotspur
19:28As expected, Postecoglou rotates his squad ahead of the Europa League final, bringing in Reguilon, Moore and fit-again skipper Son Heung-min. For only the fourth time ever in a Premier League match, Spurs have named as many as four players aged under 21 in their starting XI; they are without Dejan Kulusevski, James Maddison, Lucas Bergvall and Radu Dragusin due to injury.
Aston Villa vs Tottenham Hotspur
19:22Emery makes three changes to the Aston Villa XI that started last week: Pau Torres, Maatsen and McGinn come in for Mings, Digne and suspended midfielder Jacob Ramsey, who was sent off against Bournemouth. With Marcus Rashford still sidelined by injury, Watkins starts at Villa Park for the first time since becoming his club’s leading Premier League goalscorer.
Aston Villa vs Tottenham Hotspur
19:22SUBS: Guglielmo Vicario, Yves Bissouma, Richarlison, Dominic Solanke, Brennan Johnson, Pedro Porro, Rodrigo Bentancur, Dante Cassanova, Callum Olusesi.
Aston Villa vs Tottenham Hotspur
19:17TOTTENHAM (4-2-3-1): Antonin Kinsky; Djed Spence, Kevin Danso, Ben Davies, Sergio Reguilon; Pape Sarr, Archie Gray; Wilson Odobert, Son Heung-Min, Mikey Moore; Mathys Tel.
Aston Villa vs Tottenham Hotspur
19:17SUBS: Robin Olsen, Axel Disasi, Tyrone Mings, Ross Barkley, Lucas Digne, Andres Garcia, Donyell Malen, Lamare Bogarde, Leon Bailey.
Aston Villa vs Tottenham Hotspur
19:12ASTON VILLA (4-2-3-1): Emiliano Martinez; Matty Cash, Ezri Konsa, Pau Torres, Ian Maatsen; Boubacar Kamara, Amadou Onana; Morgan Rogers, Marco Asensio, John McGinn; Ollie Watkins.
Aston Villa vs Tottenham Hotspur
19:07Already with at least one eye on next week’s Europa League final in Bilbao, where a date with destiny awaits, Tottenham languish 17th in England’s top flight, having lost 20 times this term - the London club’s worst such tally in the Premier League era. Last time out, Ange Postecoglou’s ailing side lost 2-0 at home to Villa’s FA Cup conquerors Crystal Palace, while they have taken just one point from their last five league road trips.
Aston Villa vs Tottenham Hotspur
19:07Sitting sixth and just two points off a Champions League place with two games left to play, Aston Villa’s final pair of Premier League fixtures come against opponents distracted by an upcoming European final. After last week’s 1-0 win over Bournemouth, Villa have won eight of their last 10 top-flight matches, with two defeats taking place on the road. In fact, Unai Emery’s men are unbeaten in 20 games at Villa Park, where they also knocked Spurs out of this season’s FA Cup.
Aston Villa vs Tottenham Hotspur
19:02Hello and welcome to live coverage of today's Premier League clash between Aston Villa and Tottenham!
Aston Villa vs Tottenham Hotspur
17:30Follow all the goals and latest action from the Premier League here with The Independent. Team news and line-ups coming up shortly…
