Postecoglou names ultimate attacking XI with no CBs or DMs in Tottenham line-up
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Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou has been forced to field an unconventional line-up to face Aston Villa on Sunday afternoon. Injuries and suspensions has left the ex-Celtic boss without several key stars, especially in defence.
With Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero, Postecoglou has opted to play fullbacks Emerson Royal and Ben Davies as his centre-back partnership against Villa, with Pedro Porro and Destiny Udogie deployed in full-back.
Spurs are also without a natural holding midfielder up against Unai Emery’s side, with Oliver Skipp and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg overlooked by their manager and named on the bench. Instead, Rodrigo Bentancur and Giovani Lo Celso have been tasked with playing in Tottenham’s double-pivot, despite both stars being attacking-minded players that like to bomb forward.
Postecoglou has also brought Bryan Gil back into his plans to take on Villa, handing the Spaniard his first Premier League start of the season. The 22-year-old looks set to be deployed as a No 10 behind striker Heung-min Son, having played in a similar role whilst out on loan at Sevilla last season.
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Dejan Kulusevski and Brennan Johnson then complete Tottenham’s attack, and the duo will need to be willing to track back and provide their fullbacks with a helping hand defensively given that plenty of Villa’s joy so far this season has come from out wide.
Spurs were unable to name a full bench against Villa, with several academy graduates drafted in to provide an alternative option as well. Summer signing Alejo Veliz is the most proven forward on the bench, and the Argentine will be hoping to be given an opportunity on Sunday afternoon.
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