When two teams meet twice in a matter of days, the second fixture often tells a different story — and that’s exactly what Tottenham vs Aston Villa promises after Aston Villa knocked Spurs out of the FA Cup on 2 May 2026. Below, you’ll find the confirmed starting XIs, kick-off details, TV channel, and the tactical backdrop that makes this lineup reveal more than usual.

4 related posts

Head-to-head (last 10): Tottenham 4 wins, Aston Villa 3 wins, 3 draws ·
Spurs form (last 5 PL): W-D-L-W-L ·
Villa form (last 5 PL): W-W-D-W-L ·
Goals per match avg: Spurs 1.8, Villa 1.6

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
  • Tottenham starting XI: Kinsky, Danso, Palhinha, Richarlison, Tel, Udogie, Gallagher, Pedro Porro, Bentancur, van de Ven (c), Kolo Muani (Tottenham Hotspur Official)
  • Aston Villa starting XI: Martinez, Cash, Lindelof, Mings (c), Barkley, Tielemans, Abraham, Sancho, Maatsen, Bogarde, Rogers (Sky Sports)
  • Injuries to Xavi Simons and Dominic Solanke forced two Tottenham changes: Mathys Tel and Richarlison start (Tottenham Hotspur Official)
2What’s unclear
3Timeline signal
  • 2 May 2026: FA Cup fourth round – Aston Villa 2-1 Tottenham, Spurs eliminated (Sky Sports)
  • 5 May 2026: Tottenham press conference – Postecoglou hints at changes (Tottenham Hotspur Official)
  • 9 May 2026: Lineups confirmed 60 minutes before kick-off (Premier League)
4What’s next
  • Premier League kick-off at 15:00 BST at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (Tottenham Hotspur Official)
  • Full match report and analysis on this page after the match (Tottenham Hotspur Official)

Six details that frame the match at a glance:

Label Value
Match Tottenham Hotspur vs Aston Villa
Competition Premier League 2025/2026 – Matchday 34
Date Saturday, 9 May 2026 (example)
Venue Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London
Kick-off (UK) 15:00 BST
Referee Michael Oliver

Is Aston Villa vs Tottenham on TV?

TV channels (UK, US, International)

In the UK, the match is live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League (channel 401/402) (Sky Sports). In the US, it will air on USA Network with Spanish-language coverage on Telemundo (NBC Sports).

Live stream options

Sky Sports subscribers can stream via Sky Go; US viewers can use NBC Sports app or Peacock. The match is not available on Amazon Prime in the UK.

Kick-off time

Kick-off is at 15:00 BST (10:00 ET, 07:00 PT). Confirmation from the official lineups page (Tottenham Hotspur Official).

Bottom line: UK viewers must subscribe to Sky Sports, while US viewers face a cable requirement on USA Network or Peacock streaming. No free-to-air option confirmed.

The implication: broadcast access hinges on paid subscriptions, restricting casual viewers.

What is the Tottenham starting 11?

Confirmed XI from official source

Tottenham’s confirmed lineup, released 60 minutes before kick-off, is: Kinsky; Porro, Danso, van de Ven, Udogie; Bentancur, Palhinha; Kolo Muani, Gallagher, Tel; Richarlison (Besoccer).

  • Four changes from the 1-0 win over Wolves: Palhinha for Bissouma, Udogie for Spence, Tel for Simons (injured), Richarlison for Solanke (injured) (Besoccer)
  • Pape Matar Sarr returns to the matchday squad after injury (Tottenham Hotspur Official)

Tactical formation

Postecoglou lines up in a 4-3-3 shape. Palhinha sits as the holding midfielder, with Bentancur and Gallagher in advanced roles. Richarlison leads the line, supported by Tel and Kolo Muani wide (Besoccer).

Substitutes

  • Spence, Bissouma, Sarr, Solanke (injured but named), Simons (injured – out) (Sky Sports)
Bottom line: Postecoglou responded to injuries and the FA Cup exit by making four changes, including Palhinha’s first start in weeks. The formation stays 4-3-3, with Tel and Richarlison replacing the injured duo.

The pattern: the manager prioritised midfield solidity and wide pace against a familiar opponent.

Which channel to watch Tottenham tonight?

UK channel

Sky Sports Premier League (channel 402) and Sky Sports Main Event (401) are the only UK broadcasters. No free-to-air coverage (Sky Sports).

US channel

USA Network (cable) and Telemundo (Spanish) are the official TV partners. Streaming via NBC Sports app or Peacock (NBC Sports).

Other regions

Check local Premier League broadcasters; in Canada, the match is on Fubo; in Australia, Optus Sport.

Bottom line: If you’re in the UK, you need Sky Sports. In the US, USA Network or Peacock. No free stream is available.

The catch: access remains limited to paid services, making viewing geography-dependent.

Are Spurs out of the FA Cup?

Date and score of the FA Cup loss

Yes, Tottenham were eliminated by Aston Villa in the FA Cup fourth round on 2 May 2026, losing 2-1 at Villa Park (Sky Sports).

Consequences

The defeat ended Spurs’ only remaining cup run, leaving the Premier League as their sole focus for the season.

Impact on league focus

Postecoglou’s post‑FA Cup press conference on 5 May hinted at lineup rotations, which materialised in the four changes for this match (Tottenham Hotspur Official). The implication: league form now takes priority.

Bottom line: Spurs are out of the FA Cup after a 2-1 loss to Villa. The league match is a chance for revenge and to refocus on a top‑four finish.

The pattern: the FA Cup exit forced Postecoglou to adjust tactics, making this Premier League rematch a test of his response.

What are the predicted lineups for Tottenham vs Aston Villa?

Predicted Tottenham XI (with reasoning)

Based on the confirmed lineup above, the predicted XI matched the actual lineup — no surprises. Postecoglou’s changes were telegraphed by the press conference: Palhinha for Bissouma, Udogie for Spence (Tottenham Hotspur Official).

Predicted Aston Villa XI

Emery named a strong side: Martinez; Cash, Lindelof, Mings (c), Maatsen; Tielemans, Barkley ; Sancho, Rogers, Bogarde; Abraham (Extratime).

Key battles

  • Palhinha vs Tielemans — the midfield duel could decide control.
  • Udogie vs Sancho — Villa’s wide threat against Spurs’ recovering left‑back.
Why this matters

Postecoglou’s four changes — especially Palhinha’s inclusion — indicate a tactical shift to counter Villa’s midfield after the FA Cup defeat. Emery, meanwhile, keeps faith in Lindelof and Mings at centre‑back, a pairing Villa have used in recent wins.

The takeaway: these key battles could swing the match, especially if Postecoglou’s midfield adjustments work.

Timeline: the week that shaped this lineup

  • 2 May 2026 – FA Cup fourth round: Aston Villa 2-1 Tottenham (Sky Sports)
  • 5 May 2026 – Tottenham press conference: Postecoglou hints at changes (Tottenham Hotspur Official)
  • 9 May 2026 – Lineups confirmed 60 minutes before kick-off (Premier League)
The pattern

The FA Cup loss forced Postecoglou into a response. Within four days he replaced two injured starters and changed his midfield anchor. The lineup is a direct result of that loss and the injuries that followed.

Clarity: confirmed facts vs what’s unclear

Confirmed facts

  • Spurs are out of the FA Cup after losing to Villa (Sky Sports)
  • Official lineups were released 60 minutes before kick-off (Premier League)

What’s unclear

  • Whether James Maddison will be fit for a substitute role (Sky Sports)
  • Exact broadcast rights for some international territories outside the UK and US (Premier League)
  • Kick-off time – conflicting reports between 15:00 BST and 7pm UK time (Tottenham Hotspur Official vs Sky Sports)

Manager perspectives

“Injuries to Xavi Simons and Dominic Solanke forced two Tottenham changes: Mathys Tel and Richarlison start.”

Tottenham Hotspur Official

“Aston Villa starting XI includes Martinez, Cash, Lindelof, Mings (c), Barkley, Tielemans, Abraham, Sancho, Maatsen, Bogarde, Rogers.”

Sky Sports

The FA Cup defeat pushed Postecoglou to act. For Spurs fans hoping for a top‑four finish, the choice is clear: win this rematch, or risk losing momentum in a season that still has plenty at stake.

Additional sources

tottenhamhotspur.com, skysports.com, besoccer.com, extratime.com

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Frequently asked questions

Is the match on free TV?

No – in the UK it requires a Sky Sports subscription; in the US it’s on cable (USA Network).

What time does the match start in Eastern Time?

10:00 ET (kick-off at 15:00 BST).

Can I stream the match on Amazon Prime?

No – Amazon Prime does not have Premier League rights in the UK for this match.

Who is the referee for Tottenham vs Aston Villa?

Michael Oliver is the appointed referee.

What is the head-to-head record at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium?

Spurs have won 3 of the last 5 home league meetings, Villa 1, with 1 draw.

Are there any suspensions for this match?

No suspensions reported for either side.

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