Spurs meet high-flying Premier League opposition in the third round of a competition which represents the club’s final realistic chance of winning any silverware this term.
The club remain in the Champions League, though are in a fight to qualify for the last-16 stage, and are languishing in the bottom half of the Premier League table.
So, defeat – a fourth on the spin against Villa – could spell the end of Spurs’ season and pile more pressure on under-fire boss Thomas Frank.
Date, kick-off time and venue
Tottenham vs Aston Villa is scheduled for a 5.45pm GMT kick-off today on Saturday January 10, 2026.
The match will take place at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Where to watch Tottenham vs Aston Villa
TV channel: In the UK, the game will be televised live on both BBC One and TNT Sports 1.
Coverage starts on TNT Sports at 5pm, with the free-to-air coverage on the BBC beginning at 5.30pm.
Live stream: UK viewers can also catch the contest for free live online via the BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport website. TNT Sports subscribers can use the Discovery+ app and website.
Live blog: You can follow all the action on matchday via Standard Sport’s live blog, with expert analysis from Sam Tabuteau at the ground.
Tottenham vs Aston Villa team news
Spurs star Mohammed Kudus is set for an extended spell on the sidelines after picking up a quad injury against Sunderland, and Lucas Bergvall is expected to join him after coming off against Bournemouth.
Mathys Tel deserves to keep his spot on the left-hand side of the attack, but Randal Kolo Muani did little to suggest in the 3-2 loss in midweek that Richarlison should stay on the bench. Archie Gray will be pushing to return, potentially in place of the injured Rodrigo Bentancur (hamstring).
Kevin Danso and Radu Dragusin could each get a start in central defence, with captain Cristian Romero now serving a one-match ban and been fined £50,000 on Friday after admitting a Football Association (FA) charge relating to his reaction to being sent off late on against Liverpool last month.
The game is likely to come too soon for both Destiny Udogie and Dominic Solanke, with Dejan Kulusevski and James Maddison still out. Pape Matar Sarr and Yves Bissouma are away at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Aston Villa remain without the influential Amadou Onana, who has a hamstring injury, but the form of Boubacar Kamara and Youri Tielemans means little has been lost from midfield.
Emi Martinez is out after the goalkeeper withdrew at half-time of Wednesday’s 0-0 draw with Crystal Palace, but deputy Marco Bizot was expected to start here in any case.
Ian Maatsen will hope to start, along with Donyell Malen and Emi Buendia, with all three coming off the bench in midweek.
Tyrone Mings (hamstring) is edging towards a return, but is not expected to start in north London. Evann Guessand remains at AFCON and Ross Barkley is injured.
Injury blow: Mohammed Kudus is set to miss out for Tottenham
Action Images via Reuters
Tottenham vs Aston Villa prediction
Until recently, Aston Villa had a poor record in the FA Cup. A run of seven consecutive third-round exits ended in 2024 with a fourth-round loss, before last season’s run to the semi-finals.
It remains to be seen how seriously Unai Emery takes the competition, given their superior chances of winning the Europa League and a push to finish in the Premier League top five.
But, no matter the team selection, Villa will be confident of getting a result against a team they have often got the better of recently.
Spurs are in disarray, and another defeat at home will surely spell the end of Frank’s time in charge.
Morale is through the floor and there is little confidence of the head coach being able to corral his troops to see off an impressive side.
Head to head (h2h) history and results
Spurs have lost their last three matches in a row against Villa. They last lost four in a row against the same side in 1996.
Tottenham vs Aston Villa match odds
Odds via Betfair (subject to change).