Tottenham Hotspur vs Villarreal: Match Preview, Latest Team News and TV Watching Guide

Tottenham Host Villarreal in Champions League Return

Tottenham return to Champions League action tonight with a home tie against Villarreal, offering Thomas Frank the perfect opportunity to mark his first European night in charge with a statement performance. Spurs come into this game third in the Premier League after four matches, but the challenge of European football provides a different kind of test for a team still finding its rhythm.

This will be Frank’s first Champions League match as a manager. His previous experience on the continent has been limited to two unsuccessful Europa League qualifying campaigns with Brondby and a Super Cup defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in August. He admitted in his press conference that this is a “special occasion” and one he has prepared for extensively.

Tottenham have shown both sides of their personality this season. They dismantled West Ham with slick passing, toppled Manchester City with tactical maturity, and were seconds away from beating PSG in the Super Cup. Yet they also delivered a flat 1-0 home defeat to Bournemouth that raised questions about their consistency.

Villarreal make their first appearance in European competition since their Champions League semi-final run in 2021-22, when they were beaten by Liverpool. The Yellow Submarine are regulars on this stage, and their trip to North London will test Tottenham’s defensive resolve.

Former Spurs defender Juan Foyth is expected to start, adding a layer of intrigue to the fixture. New club-record signing Renato Veiga, formerly of Chelsea, could also feature as Villarreal look to re-establish themselves among Europe’s elite. Tajon Buchanan is one to watch after scoring three goals in four LaLiga matches this season.

Frank faces a growing injury list. Dominic Solanke is still out with an ankle issue sustained in pre-season. Yves Bissouma, Dejan Kulusevski, Radu Dragusin, James Maddison, and Kota Takai are also unavailable.

There is some good news for Spurs supporters, though. Randal Kolo Muani is set to make his debut after joining on loan from Paris Saint-Germain on Deadline Day. “He is ready,” Frank confirmed, with the striker eager to make an impression. Mathys Tel, however, has not been registered for the competition and will not feature.

Midfield selection remains a key decision. Lucas Bergvall impressed against West Ham in the No10 role and may keep his place ahead of Xavi Simons.

This fixture feels finely balanced but Tottenham’s attacking options and home advantage should make the difference. Villarreal’s injuries, particularly to Gerard Moreno, weaken their threat in front of goal.

Expect Tottenham to dictate possession, press aggressively, and look to make a strong start to Group Stage life. A 2-0 win for Spurs looks likely if they can maintain the intensity shown in recent league outings.

This will be the first competitive meeting between Tottenham and Villarreal, adding an extra sense of occasion for both clubs and their fans.