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Paul Merson predicts outcome of Aston Villa v Tottenham

Aston Villa will be looking to make it four wins in a row when they take on Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League on Sunday (10 March) at Villa Park. 

While the Premier League title race is turning out to be one of the most thrilling races in years, the race for the top four is getting equally interesting.

Villa are fourth in the league with 55 points, five points ahead of Spurs who have a game in hand. The fixture holds great importance to the north London club, and if they can get a win here, Ange Postecoglou’s side will believe they can get into the top four.

Spurs are heading into this game on the back of a 3-1 win over Crystal Palace, Paul Merson says that Spurs cannot afford to lose this game. However, if Aston Villa win this game, they will take an eight-point lead, and the top-four race will be over, which will be an “unbelievable” feat.

The Sky Sports pundit has predicted a 2-2 draw for this game.

“If Tottenham lose this one, they’ll go eight points behind Aston Villa. They’d still have a game in hand, but this is more of a ‘don’t lose’ kind of game for Ange Postecoglou and his team,” said Merson.

“Both teams play such a high line and have a bunch of talented attacking players, so this will be an entertaining game of football. If Villa win, I think they’ll put the top-four race to bed, which is honestly an unbelievable feat.

“I am looking at their squads and the season they’ve had so far but I just can’t seem to separate them.”

Fascinating game

Tottenham simply cannot lose this game. Even if they manage a draw, they will still feel they can close the gap over the next three months, but it will become really difficult if Villa extend the gap to eight points.

Ollie Watkins has been enjoying the form of his life, and Alan Shearer recently suggested that Gareth Southgate must use him upfront with Harry Kane playing behind him. Postecoglou needs to find a plan to stop him.

On the other hand, Villa can concede goals and Spurs should look to hit them on the counter. A draw won’t be a bad result for both teams.

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