Tottenham v Aston Villa: Team newspublished at 17:02 GMT 10 January
17:02 GMT 10 January
The positive news for Thomas Frank is that striker Dominic Solanke is fit enough to return to the Tottenham bench after undergoing minor surgery to resolve an ankle injury in September.
Defender Cristian Romero misses out through suspension.
Tottenham XI: Vicario, Davies, Van de Ven, Danso, Porro, Gray, Palhinha, Tel, Simons, Odobert, Richarlison.
Follow Saturday's FA Cup games livepublished at 11:27 GMT 10 January
11:27 GMT 10 January
There are 18 third-round ties in the FA Cup on Saturday - 16 involving Premier League and Championship teams, who all enter the competition at this stage - and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.
You can also listen to today's 5 Live commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Fulham v Middlesbrough" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Tottenham v Aston Villa", for instance.
Tottenham v Aston Villa: Key stats and player infopublished at 08:15 GMT 10 January
08:15 GMT 10 January
Noel Sliney BBC Sport senior journalist
Thomas Frank surely cannot afford any more negative cup headlines. The fallout of Tottenham's head coach unwittingly drinking from an Arsenal-branded cup before the midweek league defeat at Bournemouth has, rightly or wrongly, intensified the pressure on him.
A storm is brewing at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The boss was booed as he approached travelling supporters to applaud after Wednesday's stoppage-time defeat, while players Micky van de Ven, Pedro Porro and Joao Palhinha had frank exchanges with fans.
Since then, captain Cristian Romero appeared to accuse the club's hierarchy of telling "lies" in a since-edited Instagram post.
It has been three wins and six defeats in 13 games for Spurs. They did at least show some attacking intent against Bournemouth, a welcome change from the pragmatic and uninspired fare more typical of their season.
Tottenham rank in the Premier League's bottom five this season for the amount of shots and touches in the opposition box, and have incredibly only attempted 11 through balls. There are nine players alone in the league with a higher figure.
Addressing Tottenham's attacking shortcomings, Frank said: "I share the frustration, it's in the ethos of the club. It is something we are working very hard on. We are lacking some of the free-flowing offensive players that we had last season and that is part of the challenge."
Did you know?
Tottenham's home league form in 2025 was their worst on record, with 11 league defeats in the calendar year. However, they won eight of their nine home games in other competitions, drawing the other, scoring 22 goals and only conceding three.
Spurs won the last of their eight FA Cups in 1991. They have since reached eight semi-finals but lost them all. Their first win came 125 years ago, in April 1901, as a non-league club.
Tottenham have lost 12 of 18 penalty shootouts in all competitions, including their last two in the FA Cup. On both of those occasions, Spurs missed three penalties as they suffered fifth-round exits at home to Norwich in 2020 and Nottingham Forest in 1996.
Image source, Getty Images
Key Villa players - Morgan Rogers and Ollie Watkins
Rogers, a powerful ball carrier, has rapidly developed into Villa's biggest asset, encapsulated by three contracts in two years at the club. Signed for an initial £8m after Unai Emery became aware of Rogers' ability while analysing FA Cup opponents Middlesbrough. A poor start to this season reached a nadir with ironic cheers after he finally made a successful pass against Bologna in September. He and Declan Rice are the only players to feature in all 10 England games under Thomas Tuchel (six starts).
Meanwhile, Watkins has six Premier League goals since 1 December, which has only been bettered by Dominic Calvert-Lewin. He has been nursing a knee issue since Euro 2024, but has looked sharper of late, and he believes he can reach 20 goals this season despite "a slow start" of one goal in 19 games.
Team news
Tottenham winger Mohammed Kudus has been ruled out until April with the thigh injury he sustained last weekend. Rodrigo Bentancur is facing a spell on the sidelines after suffering a hamstring injury during Wednesday's defeat by Bournemouth, while Lucas Bergvall was also injured and will be assessed. Destiny Udogie and Dominic Solanke are back in training but not expected to feature.
For Aston Villa, goalkeeper Emi Martinez is a doubt because of the calf injury that forced him off at halftime in midweek. Pau Torres returned to the matchday squad against Crystal Palace and fellow centre-back Tyrone Mings could be fit.
Tel explores options away from Tottenhampublished at 08:12 GMT 10 January
08:12 GMT 10 January
Nizaar Kinsella Football reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Tottenham forward Mathys Tel is open to a loan in January in an attempt to make France's World Cup squad.
The 20-year-old made his loan move from Bayern Munich permanent in the summer for £30m but has since struggled under Thomas Frank.
Having been signed after an initial six-month spell under former manager Ange Postecoglou, Tel has started just five matches this season, scoring on three occasions.
Tel was also left out of Spurs' Champions League squad in September but was re-added to replace the injured Dominic Solanke in December.
It remains unclear whether Spurs will sanction a move having seen fellow attacker Brennan Johnson join Crystal Palace for £35m last week.
Tel has yet to make his debut for the national team but has 12 goals in 20 games in the Under-21s and recently became captain.
Sutton's predictions: Spurs v Aston Villapublished at 18:45 GMT 9 January
18:45 GMT 9 January
Poor old Thomas Frank. He looked so happy at Brentford but Spurs have a habit of turning happy managers into total miseries.
He really needs a win here, and a good run in the cup too, but when you compare the two teams, and the way they are playing, then there's only one winner here - and that's Villa.
Is Frank doomed to failure at Spurs?published at 17:41 GMT 9 January
17:41 GMT 9 January
Phil McNulty Chief football writer
Image source, Getty Images
Not yet - but Frank is struggling desperately on several fronts to prove he can cope with the huge expectations and high-profile at Spurs after operating so successfully in the more calm and organised conditions of Brentford.
Frank was surrounded by stability at Brentford, a structure formed by owner Matthew Benham and director of football Phil Giles. He has stepped into a high-stakes environment at Spurs, where even winning the Europa League, the club's first trophy in 17 years, did not spare predecessor Ange Postecoglou the sack.
It has left him vulnerable to a combination of poor results, a deteriorating relationship with many supporters unconvinced he has the pedigree or playing style to manage Spurs, and a lack of discipline from his players that has publicly undermined his authority.
Spurs - as a club and fanbase - is currently a joyless place.
They are reasonably placed at 11th in the Champions League table, with a chance of reaching the top eight to automatically qualify for the knockout phase, but there has been no improvement in the Premier League.
They are currently 14th on 27 points, while after 21 games last season they were 13th with 24 points under Postecoglou.
Frank's Brentford played long and quick to put opponents under pressure with the quality of forwards Ivan Toney, Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa to carry out the gameplan successfully. Frank's communication and strategy was clear.
None of this has happened at Spurs, leading Frank to crisis point before the FA Cup meeting with Villa.
Spurs to celebrate 'ground-breaking' 1901 FA Cup win with special kitpublished at 14:11 GMT 9 January
14:11 GMT 9 January
Image source, Tottenham Hotspur FC
Tottenham have launched a campaign to pay homage to their 1901 FA Cup-winning team to mark the 125th anniversary of the historic achievement.
By winning the world's oldest football cup competition, Spurs became the first and remain the only non-league team to lift the trophy.
The club played in the Southern League Division One at the time, but against the odds, on 27 April 1901, they overcame top-flight Sheffield United 3-1 in the FA Cup final replay at Burnden Park in Bolton.
On Friday, Spurs launched a campaign to celebrate what is described as a "ground-breaking" historic achievement and hope to educate younger generations on the "significance" of that win.
As part of this, the team will take to the pitch wearing a limited edition retro kit that pays homage to the heroes of 1901 for the first time against Aston Villa in their third-round FA Cup tie on Saturday (17:45 GMT).
The shirt will feature a heritage crest and will have no player surnames on the back with just the number visible - as would have been the case in 1901.
The club have also said there will be a range of activities to mark the anniversary between now and April, including taking the 1901 trophy on a tour of local schools and the launch of The Spurs Legacy Cup later this year.
Tottenham's troubles in attackpublished at 11:58 GMT 9 January
11:58 GMT 9 January
Matthew Hobbs BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty Images
Tottenham's 3-2 defeat by Bournemouth on Wednesday added to the air of frustration surrounding Thomas Frank's team.
The result left Tottenham languishing in 14th position in the Premier League table with just seven wins from 21 league matches.
The latest loss came against a Bournemouth side on a club-record run of 11 top-flight games without a win. But with the scores level heading into stoppage time, Antoine Semenyo netted a late winner for the hosts.
While losing games late on is bound to attract criticism, Spurs' labouring attack appears to be causing the most angst.
Frank's approach can be seen as unnecessarily risk-averse and, while Tottenham's manager may point to the ongoing absence of key threats like James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski and Dominic Solanke, the data supports the suspicion that Spurs simply are not clicking in attack.
Tottenham have played by far the fewest through balls of any Premier League side this season, while they rank in the competition's bottom five sides for shots, expected goals and touches in the opposition box.
Spurs may yet replenish their squad in the January transfer window, but one win in the past six matches in all competitions represents a bleak winter for them so far.
'Saying what he thinks' or 'not his place'? Fans on Romeropublished at 08:46 GMT 9 January
08:46 GMT 9 January
Image source, Getty Images
We asked for your views on Cristian Romero's comments after he appeared to take aim at the Tottenham hierarchy on Thursday.
Here are some of your thoughts:
Anon: Romero is saying what he thinks and understands, and to be honest, is probably right. He's the only player showing any grit and determination in games and Iwish we had 10 more of him. Thomas Frank and the rest of his contingent need to have the courage to own up to their shortcomings in running the club.
Brian: No problem with his rather throwaway comments. Something has to happen, and it's not all down to a decision about Frank's future. I thought we were entering a new era of leadership. Well, let's have it.
Clare: I don't think there's anything wrong with Romero coming out and saying this. He's obviously so fed up with the hierarchy (as all Spurs fans are too).
However, not all fans were on board with Romero's need to air out the club's dirty laundry.
Richard: Saying these things in public is not his place nor helpful to the plight of the club; it just drives division and generates more negative media coverage. However, his point is spot on and a positive demonstration of support from the board in words and transfer of intent is sorely lacking. The vacuum raises questions about whether they're really behind Frank.
Ricky: If I mess up at work, I put my hands up, I don't post on social media that my boss is telling lies. Romero and the other players should look very hard at themselves and their own performances rather than point fingers at the owners and directors when we play badly.
Jeffrey: He needs to take a close look at himself, first a captain who never shows leadership on the field and can be a liability.
Paul: Player power has gone too far. When-so called leaders are prepared to approach our fans, almost to challenge them, then it says more about the weak mentality of the squad (entitled) and for me it shows on the pitch.
Gossip: Tottenham agree terms with Santos left-backpublished at 07:04 GMT 9 January
07:04 GMT 9 January
Tottenham have agreed personal terms with 19-year-old Brazil and Santos left-back Souza before a potential move to the Premier League. (Fabrizio Romano), external
The 27-year-old stated on the social media platform "other people" should be coming out to speak and adding that they "only show up when things are going well, to tell a few lies".
However, Romero has since deleted that post and uploaded a new - almost identical statement - omitting the part about telling lies but still appearing to criticise senior figures at the club.
After apologising to the fans and taking responsibility as a team, he went on to say: "At times like this, it should be other people coming out to speak, but they don't - as has been happening for several years now. They only show up when things are going well.
"We'll stay here, working, sticking together and giving our all to turn things around. Especially at times like this, keeping quiet, working harder and moving forward all together, is part of football."
Spurs have won just one of their past six Premier League games and sit 14th in the table.
Supporters have expressed their frustrations in recent weeks, and tensions began to spill over at the Vitality Stadium as Micky van de Ven and Joao Palhinha exchanged words with Spurs fans, while Pedro Porro also had to be talked into stopping an argument with supporters by goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario.
So how do you feel about Romero's comments? Is the captain right to come out and say something publicly, or is it too much distraction?
Frank on Kudus injury, Bournemouth fallout and Romero's postpublished at 15:21 GMT 8 January
15:21 GMT 8 January
Phil Cartwright BBC Sport journalist
Tottenham boss Thomas Frank has been speaking to the media before Saturday's FA Cup third round tie against Aston Villa at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (kick-off 17:45 GMT).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Mohammed Kudus will be out until at least the end of March because of a thigh injury sustained against Sunderland. Lucas Bergvall and Rodrigo Bentancur will be assessed further on Thursday after they went off injured in the loss at Bournemouth, while there is a hope that Dejan Kulusevski might return to training in about four weeks' time.
Asked about confrontations between players and fans after the Bournemouth game and how the relationship between the two can be improved, Frank said: "The away fans were very good throughout the game. They were backing us, singing and supporting exactly as they should do and we hope they would do. Everyone will be happy when we win more games, it's as simple as that."
On captain Cristian Romero's social media post which appeared to criticise the club's hierarchy, Frank added: "After he became captain, he's done a lot of good things right. I said when I made him captain that even though he's an experienced player, he's still a young leader."
Frank continued: "A lot of things he's done well, on and off the pitch, I'm happy with and I was happy with his performance last night. He was a true captain in many ways throughout the game. Also when you're a young leader, sometimes you make a mistake and it's good to keep it internally. Johan [Lange] and I had a good conversation with him this morning about everything, which we keep internally."
Frank believes Spurs deserved more than the five points from their past five Premier League games and added: "It's my job to deal with all of the scrutiny, it's no problem, I can face all of the questions and I will take all of the blame. It's also my job to look through everything."
He added: "It's almost a perfect storm. In a storm, some people are building fences and hiding behind it, others are building windmills and getting stronger, getting more energy and learning from it."
Frank reiterated that the club are "working very hard" to try to improve the squad in January, but added that January is a "very difficult window".
He stressed that "even though there is noise, the club is very aligned".
'From chaos to turgid on a weekly basis'published at 12:15 GMT 8 January
12:15 GMT 8 January
Bardi Fan writer
Image source, Getty Images
There is a famous Oscar Wilde quote: "Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery that mediocrity can pay to greatness."
On Wednesday, Tottenham could not even manage flattery.
By mirroring the tactics of a Bournemouth side on a horrendous run of form, we did not just look mediocre, we looked like a team that has finally forgotten its identity.
For the second time in a week, we lost the lead in a game that we failed to control from a position of power. There is no control or plan - we swing from chaos to turgid on a weekly basis.
But yet somehow we still manage to score the spectacular. For the fourth time this season, one of our players has flown through the air to score a memorable acrobatic goal.
A moment of inspiration from a loose ball that has bobbled up into an area as one of our players decided to improvise. It was a scintillating and joyous moment, but despite how beautiful the sight was, it summed up our attacking play.
We are a set of individuals playing parallel to each other. Each player is vibing, doing what he thinks is correct or what he feels like.
One full-back is smashing it long, the other carrying it 30 metres. One centre-back is trying risky passes through the lines, the other bulldozes his way through anyone crazy enough to stand in his way. And our wingers are expected to pluck the ball out of the sky and "be Gareth Bale". Sometimes Mathys Tel can do it, but not often enough to save Tottenham.
Thomas Frank has failed to imprint on this team an identity or a way of playing that we can get behind. There is a carelessness to our play and this is echoed by the fact that our manager does not even realise he is drinking from an Arsenal cup.
We were never asking for much from this season, just something to believe in. The occasional glimpse of progress, a battling victory or a bullish fightback. But we have seen nothing. Supporting Tottenham has become a test of faith. We are asked for blind faith, as what we are served up is football that is hard to get behind, even for our away fans who are the real litmus test of faith.
If you lose the away fans - a group of hardcore set of believers in Tottenham that travel hundreds of miles, midweek, on a freezing night in early January - then you are on an icy stretch of road.
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Simon: Now that's a 'drop the mic' moment. Thank you, Antoine Semenyo for all the great memories. The Cherries proving too much against a valiant Spurs comeback.
Stephen: What a way to say goodbye to our star man. It couldn't have been better scripted. Cherries have gone through a rough patch, but the class has always been there. Time to start climbing up the table without our talisman. We have the players to do it and there will be new recruits joining this window.
James: I love Semenyo. He will be remembered. Hopefully, Bournemouth fans will remember him as a faithful legend rather than a traitor.
Patrick: All I want to say to Semenyo is thank you. We so needed that and your legacy over the past three years will not be forgotten.
Spurs fans
John: Another disappointing night for us all. The result proved, if it was further needed, that we are just not good enough at the minute. No lack of effort for the most part. Two fabulous goals but a dreadful lack of awareness, especially when Djed Spence came away with the ball on the counter, and just, without looking to see who was available, passed inside to a grateful Cherry. After a few passes, Antoine Semenyo showed his class.
Terry: Tottenham seem to have forgotten how to win games. I think Frank is getting what he deserves from his players, absolutely nothing. He makes the team selections and it just isn't working. Or should I say, his appointment as manager just isn't working. Things need to change, I wonder what will. Best of luck Spurs, you are going to need it.
Kevin: Absolutely awful game management again by Thomas Frank. Get back to 2-2 and throw away the game. Randal Kolo Muani should not be playing - he showed no interest or effort. The squad isn't good enough, however I'm not sure the manager is up to the task.
Tristen: Us fans need to understand how average this squad is. Thomas Frank has a tough job polishing this bunch as most of the squad are Championship players. Well done to Bournemouth and a great sign-off for Semenyo. Good luck to him!
Spurs 'not showing levels they are capable of' - Corsiepublished at 08:25 GMT 8 January
08:25 GMT 8 January
Image source, PA Media
Former Scotland captain Rachel Corsie told BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast that Tottenham are not fulfilling their potential under boss Thomas Frank after late defeat at Bournemouth:
"I don't think, at either end, they're showing the levels that we know some of those players are capable of.
"Someone like Cristian Romero - we've seen many times the passion he shows, he's a charismatic character but [Antoine] Semenyo gets the ball on the edge of the box and what's he likely to do? He's going to shoot because he's a forward and he's very much on form. There's not enough intensity to identify the danger.
"Those are simple things that, when you've seen Thomas Frank's teams play elsewhere, you know he demands a certain standard of how they press the ball. You see little things like that and it's hard to understand where those little habits come from.
"It's not singling Romero out, it's just an individual example of what I saw [in the Bournemouth game]. But all these little habits, for some reason, seem to be consistent things that linger around Spurs."
Former Premier League goalkeeper Shay Given agreed, recognising the pressure Frank will be experiencing:
"I think he's a really good manager and coach. I said last season that when the big jobs came up, he was never linked with them. Now he's in that position, he's in a big job and at a big club.
"He can't go home, put his head on the pillow and have a good eight hours' sleep. He'll be tossing and turning all night for the next training session and the next game."
