Conor Gallagher Faces Spurs Test as Udogie and Sarr Near Return
conor gallagher is not the name driving Tottenham’s latest team update, but the club’s injury picture shifted again before Sunday’s trip to Aston Villa. Roberto De Zerbi said Destiny Udogie and Pape Sarr should return to the squad, while Dominic Solanke was ruled out and James Maddison was not expected to play.
That leaves Tottenham trying to build on a 1-0 win at Wolves last Saturday, their first victory in 16 Premier League matches. They go to Villa Park with at least eight other injuries still in the mix, and De Zerbi kept the tone pointed after another week of absences and pressure.
De Zerbi tightens Tottenham selection
Solanke will not make the trip to Aston Villa, and De Zerbi said he was unsure whether the striker would feature again in Tottenham’s battle against relegation. Antonin Kinsky will keep his place in goal, while Maddison is not expected to play but should be among the substitutes again for his leadership qualities.
Udogie and Sarr offer the clearest boost. Both should return to the squad, giving Tottenham two more options in a group that has been stretched by injuries across the pitch. Ben Davies, Cristian Romero, Dejan Kulusevski, Mohammed Kudus and Wilson Odobert are also out.
Wolves win changes nothing easy
Last Saturday’s 1-0 result at Wolves stopped a run that had dragged on through 16 Premier League matches. It did not clear the wider problem. Xavi Simons suffered a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in that game, and Guglielmo Vicario remains sidelined after a hernia operation.
The return of two players is useful, but Tottenham are still short-handed enough that selection remains a weekly puzzle. De Zerbi said the team have the quality to win at Villa Park, then added: “The most important challenge now is to silence the voice inside of us, inside the players, the staff and the fans,” “The losers cry.” and “The losers think negative.”
Villa Park and the pressure
Sunday’s match now carries the weight of a side trying to move away from the bottom-end fight while carrying at least eight injuries beyond the latest absentees. With Solanke out, Maddison limited, and Udogie and Sarr only returning to the squad, Tottenham still have to find enough on the day to turn one win into a run.
De Zerbi’s line leaves little room for drift. Tottenham need the returning players available, Kinsky settled in goal, and the rest of the group to absorb another test at Villa Park without adding to the injury list that has already reshaped the season.
