Aston Villa vs. Tottenham Hotspur | FA Cup | Fourth Round | Pre Match

Already reeling from one dose of knockout heartache, Tottenham Hotspur could see another shot at silverware pass them by when they travel to the West Midlands for Sunday's FA Cup fourth-round date with Aston Villa.

Ange Postecoglou's sorry side were smashed 4-0 by Liverpool in Thursday's EFL Cup semi-final second leg, while the Lions have had a week to reflect on their 2-0 loss to near neighbours Wolverhampton Wanderers. The nature of the loss at Anfield was particularly painful for Spurs, who had harbored hopes of securing their first major trophy in over a decade. A 1-0 first-leg victory had given them a sliver of hope, but Liverpool's relentless pressing and clinical finishing left them with no chance. Cody Gakpo's early opener set the tone, and by the time Mohamed Salah converted a penalty, the writing was on the wall. Dominik Szoboszlai and Virgil van Dijk rounded off a humiliating evening for Postecoglou's men, who now face an uphill battle to salvage their season.

Tottenham had shown signs of resurgence in their 2-0 Premier League win over Brentford last weekend, but they remain firmly outside the European qualification spots. Their inconsistent form in the league has been a major concern, and their FA Cup third-round tie against non-league Tamworth did little to inspire confidence. Despite securing a 3-0 win, Spurs were taken to extra time and only managed to break through late against a spirited opponent. The struggle against Tamworth raised questions about their ability to handle the pressure of knockout football, and those concerns were brutally exposed by Liverpool in midweek.

Despite their woes, Tottenham can take some solace in their recent FA Cup record. They have won four of their last five fourth-round ties, although their one defeat in that run came against Manchester City last season. Postecoglou will be desperate to ensure his side does not suffer another early exit, but Aston Villa present a formidable challenge. Unai Emery's men secured their place in the fourth round with a dramatic 2-1 victory over West Ham United, thanks to late goals from Amadou Onana and Morgan Rogers. The win provided a brief respite from their inconsistent form, which has seen them win just two of their last six matches in all competitions.

Villa's Champions League campaign has been a bright spot in their season, and their 4-2 triumph over Celtic ensured their progression to the last 16. However, their struggles in the Premier League have continued, with their latest setback coming in a 2-0 defeat to Wolves. The loss highlighted their vulnerability on the road, but Villa Park has been a fortress for them this season. They are unbeaten in 10 home matches since October, although their defensive frailties remain a concern. They have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last six home games, and their record against Tottenham in recent meetings is far from encouraging.

Spurs have scored four goals in each of their last two encounters with Villa, winning both matches comfortably. However, prior to that, Emery's men had won all three meetings in 2023, demonstrating their ability to trouble the North London side. The hosts will be eager to make amends for their recent setbacks and will take confidence from their strong home form. With both teams desperate for a morale-boosting victory, Sunday's clash promises to be a fiercely contested affair.

In addition to their demoralizing loss at Anfield, Tottenham suffered yet another injury setback, with Richarlison limping off with a calf issue. The Brazilian joins a lengthy list of absentees, including Guglielmo Vicario (ankle), Radu Dragusin (knee), Wilson Odobert (hamstring), Dominic Solanke (knee), James Maddison (calf), Micky van de Ven (fitness), Destiny Udogie (hamstring), Cristian Romero (thigh), Timo Werner (thigh), and Brennan Johnson (calf). The injury crisis has severely hampered Postecoglou's ability to field a consistent lineup, and the manager faces a selection dilemma for Sunday's encounter.

Unless Son Heung-min is deployed as a central striker, Mathys Tel could be handed his full debut after coming on for Richarlison against Liverpool. The Bayern Munich loanee will be eager to make an impression, while Pedro Porro and Lucas Bergvall could be introduced to freshen up the midfield. With so many key players unavailable, Spurs will need their fringe players to step up if they are to stand a chance against a well-drilled Villa side.

Villa have injury concerns of their own, with Ollie Watkins (groin), Pau Torres (ankle), Matty Cash (unspecified), Tyrone Mings (knee), and Ross Barkley (calf) all ruled out. However, they could be boosted by the inclusion of Marcus Rashford, who joined on loan from Manchester United. Rashford did not feature in United's third-round win over Arsenal, making him eligible to play, but his lack of match fitness suggests he may only make a substitute appearance. Another January arrival, Marco Asensio, is also in contention for a debut, while Axel Disasi is cup-tied and unavailable for selection.

With Watkins sidelined, Emery will have to decide who leads the line for Villa. Donyell Malen and Leon Bailey are both options, while Asensio could also be deployed in a central role. The hosts will be looking to exploit Tottenham's defensive vulnerabilities and capitalize on their home advantage. With both teams struggling for consistency, the outcome of this tie remains uncertain, but Villa will fancy their chances of progressing to the fifth round.

As the two sides prepare to battle it out for a place in the next round, the stakes could not be higher. For Tottenham, it is an opportunity to keep their faint hopes of silverware alive and restore some pride after their humbling defeat at Anfield. For Villa, it is a chance to build momentum and prove they belong among England's elite. With both teams eager to make a statement, expect a fiercely contested and entertaining encounter at Villa Park on Sunday.