Sky Sports pundit states his prediction for Tottenham v Aston Villa
Charlie Nicholas is backing Tottenham Hotspur to ease to a comfortable victory over Aston Villa on Saturday
Charlie Nicholas is backing Tottenham Hotspur to ease to a 3-1 victory over Aston Villa in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon.
Spurs will be desperate to lay down a marker in the top-four race, with Arsenal, Chelsea FC and Manchester United all in action on Sunday afternoon.
Tottenham finished in fourth place in the Premier League last season to ensure their continued participation in the Champions League.
Spurs have bolstered their squad with four new signings in the summer transfer window.
Mauricio Pochettino signed Lyon midfielder Tanguy Ndombele in a club-record £54m deal as well as Leeds United starlet Jack Clarke last month.
Tottenham were busy on transfer deadline day as Spurs finally signed impressive English teenager Ryan Sessegnon from Championship side Fulham.
The north London side also recruited Real Betis playmaker Giovani Lo Celso on a loan deal for the season.
Aston Villa, meanwhile, signed a staggering 12 players after their Championship play-off final victory over Derby County back in May.
Former Arsenal midfielder Nicholas is confident that Spurs will ease to a straightforward victory over Aston Villa at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday.
“Aston Villa have done a lot of business. Villa are a big club. Dean Smith likes to play with a nice, attacking style. His number two is based upon a strong defensive unit and John Terry knows what that is about,” Nicholas told Sky Sports.
“They have a bundle of energy in midfield and decent options up front. They create a lot of chances and miss a lot of chances too. They look promising and I don’t see them being in the relegation battle.
“Harry Kane always tends to start slow and people ask questions. It has taken time for Tottenham to adjust to this stadium and it will take them time to break Villa down, perhaps the 70th to 75th minute. Spurs’ goals will come late on.”
Tottenham have finished in the Premier League’s top four in the last four seasons.
Spurs lost 2-0 to Liverpool FC in the Champions League final last term.
