Hutton backs high-flying Villa to take advantage of depleted Spurs

Alan Hutton believes Aston Villa can take advantage of a depleted Tottenham team in what he expects to be a thrilling Premier League encounter on Sunday.

Two of Hutton's former sides lock horns at an exciting time for both clubs under respective managers Ange Postecoglou and Unai Emery.

Fourth-placed Spurs sit a point above Villa in fifth but are missing a host of key stars — with suspended midfielder Yves Bissouma joining a list of absentees that includes James Maddison, Micky van de Ven, Cristian Romero and several others.

That, Hutton feels, will give Emery's visitors the edge in the clash at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Speaking to LiveScore, the former Scotland international said: "I think I'm edging towards Villa. 

"Just because of Spurs, who they've got missing and looking at their upcoming fixtures. It's a difficult period for them.

"But it's very, very close. It should be a brilliant game, I'm really looking forward to this one. It should be about four each!

"I don't want to jinx it but I've got a feeling that there'll be goals in it. The way they play with high lines, there'll be some really attacking play from both sides.

"I think both teams are capable of scoring multiple goals."

Loving big Ange

Australian coach Postecoglou has been an instant hit in the Premier League since arriving in North London from Celtic in the summer, with players and fans buying into his entertaining approach.

Speaking on behalf of American Betting Apps, Hutton said: "I think the turnaround [at Tottenham] has just been sensational, how he's got that team playing. 

"I must admit I was a little bit surprised — but knowing how he worked up in Scotland, he's got his principles and he sticks to it.

"He doesn't change it for anybody and it's quite refreshing to hear — I love to listen to his interviews. He's right to the point and he tells you what you want to know.

"The players are buying into what he wants. He's attacking, he's expansive. He wants to score goals and excite the fans.

"And I think even from my time when I played at Tottenham, that was the be all and end all — playing exciting football where if the other team scores three goals, you'll score four."

Unai's impact

Emery's impact in a year at Villa has been similarly remarkable.

The Basque boss has won 23 of his 37 Premier League games in charge and is currently leading his side on a 13-league game winning streak at home.

A number of stars, including Ollie Watkins, Ezri Konsa and Douglas Luiz, have been selected for their international sides since Emery's arrival at Villa Park.

And former Villans right-back Hutton believes that is a telling marker of the job the ex-Arsenal manager has done.

 He added: "That's how you measure a manager in my opinion.

"You look at [Ezri] Konsa, who is an outstanding centre-back and is now in the England squad. Watkins is also back in the England squad.

"So he is really taking people's game to another level and that shows you a good manager. It's not just about who you bring in, it's about working with what you've got."