Spurs under 18’s versus Aston Villa: (match preview)

 

Our high flying under 18’s resume league action on Saturday when they host Aston Villa at Hotspur Way. Matt Wells side will be hoping to get the better of David Hughes side who have also started the season in good form, with four wins from their opening seven league matches. Top of the table Tottenham Hotspur tore Norwich City to shreds in their last game despite the fact that Wells had fielded a weakened side. And their ruthless, fast paced and downright attacking approach to the new season has resulted in them outplaying each of the eight teams who they have come up against, so far this campaign. The last time these two teams met was on a chilly spring morning at Villa’s Bodymoor Heath training last season. That particular Spurs side totally embarrassed what was actually a strong Aston Villa team by beating them 5-0. Aston Villa did beat us in the reverse fixture at Hotspur Way earlier on in the season but on that particular day in the midlands they played as poorly as any under 18 team that I have ever seen. There defence in particular was atrocious and lacking in any sort of defensive cohesion. David Hughes side are yet to win on the road in the league this season and they’ll have their work cut out if they want to change that on Saturday. With our free scoring youngsters in such a rich vein form, with the likes of Clarke, Shashoua and White all chipping in with goals. Wells side have so many different ways from which they can hurt Aston Villa. Taking into consideration that our under 19’s are playing PSV in the UEFA youth league the following Wednesday, it would be safe to assume that Wells and McDermott will rest a couple of players for the Aston Villa game at the weekend. This could present a couple of our youngsters who haven’t featured much this season with an all important start. I’m particularly hoping to see centre half Jubril Okedina starting against Villa. Okedina has put in some strong performances off the bench in recent games.

Aston Villa have a number of attacking talents in their youth set up, some of which include in form French centre forward Dimitri Sea, American Indiana Vassilev and wide man Colin Odutayo. Despite having a poor historical record against Aston Villa over recent years, Spurs will be hoping to record their third straight win on the bounce against David Hughes side, when these teams meet on Saturday afternoon. I will be at Hotspur Way reporting on our league encounter with the Villains.

 

My predicted lineup: (4-2-3-1) Oluwayemi, Tainio, Okedina, Statham, Cirkin, White, Bowden, Markanday, A.Shashoua (c), Clarke, Parrott.

Subs from: Kurylowicz, Walcott, Thorpe, Patterson, Mukendi.

Injured/unavailable: Enock Asante.

Doubtful: Rodel Richards (possible involvement with the development side) and J’Neil Bennett (possible involvement with the development side) and Malachi Walcott (injury).

Previous meeting: Spurs 5-0.

My score prediction: Spurs 3-1.

My one to watch: French teenager Dimitri Sea was one of the very few Villa players that caught my eye during our last meeting with Aston Villa at this level. The powerful centre forward scored seven league goals for the Villains last season. And the clinical Parisian has started this season in fine form and already has three league goals to his name.

 

ICYMI: https://superhotspur.com/2018/10/07/spurs-under-18s-7-0-norwich-city-match-report/