Tottenham predicted XI vs Aston Villa - Striker call made as defender dropped

Thomas Frank has a welcome managerial headache when Aston Villa visit the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday in the Premier League.

The Dane has used the international break to reflect and recharge following a positive start to life in the Spurs dugout, but with the games coming thick and fast, it's crucial his side continue building momentum to ensure they keep the pace at the top of the table.

If the Villa game had come immediately after the trip to Leeds, it's highly likely Frank may well have named an unchanged side.

But his ranks have been bolstered by the return of Randal Kolo Muani, who is finally available again after missing the last five matches with a dead leg.

Frank has plenty to ponder in attack but in defence, there are unlikely to be too many changes.

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Cuti Romero did not feature for Argentina against Puerto Rico so the captain is well rested and is poised to partner Micky van de Ven.

Djed Spence could also be recalled, he was an unused substitute at Elland Road, in place of Destiny Udogie after earning back-to-back clean sheets during the international break with England.

Spence could feature at left-back with Pedro Porro playing at right-back, as usual.

In midfield, Joao Palhinha and Rodrigo Bentacur's industry could be key against Villa's hardworking engine room.

Villa pose a threat on the counter attack and Palhinha and Bentancur's solidity will provide Spurs' frontline with an extra sense of freedom.

Wilson Odobert and Mathys Tel are expected to keep their place in the side as they were in blistering form during the international break for France U21s.

Odobert struck two braces against the Faroe Islands and Estonia, and also provided an assist, while Tel also helped himself to two goals.

The former Bayern Munich attacker has endured a challenging start to life at Spurs after missing out on a place in Frank's Champions League squad but the pair - Tel netted at Leeds - are in form and Tottenham will surely be keen to utilise that.

Additionally, Richarlison should be relatively fresh as he only played a handful of minutes from the bench for Brazil during the break, even though he did travel to the Far East for friendlies against South Korea and Japan.

Mohammed Kudus, who booked Ghana's place at the World Cup, is a shoo-in on the right, while Xavi Simons could get the chance to flourish as the No.10.

(4-3-3) : Vicario; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Spence; Palhinha, Bentancur; Kudus, Simons, Odobert; Tel.