For im latest Sky Sports column, Paul Merson look ahead to Saturday big game between Tottenham and Aston Villa. Both teams never win any Premier League game, and Spurs still dey find their first league goal of the season. Merson call the match for Tottenham Hotspur Stadium a momentum swinger, and e also assess Arsenal chances to defend Premier League title.
For the live match, play stop after Micky van de Ven took a blow to face and e dey receive treatment. Tottenham no need another injury after losing Pedro Porro, according to one fan. Spurs go small flat as half-time dey come. They suppose dey ahead but dem no find way past Zion Suzuki.
Only Chelsea former Aston Villa keeper Emi Martinez against Arsenal (5) don make more saves for first half of Premier League game this season pass Zion Suzuki four against Tottenham so far. This na fun watch but nobody surprise say e still be 0-0?
Zion Suzuki former goalkeeping coach Dennis Rudel, wey work with am for Belgium with Sint-Truiden, compare am to cartoon character Asterix. Rudel talk say: ‘I see im power immediately. To show your strength for game you have to let the tiger out for pitch, let the beast out. He dey so powerful, I never see goalkeeper like this.’
Tottenham never find way past Suzuki so far as dem chase their first Premier League goal. Spurs win three corners in quick succession, and from latest Dominic Solanke header, ball come off shirt sleeve of Aaron Wan-Bissaka. Solanke appeal for penalty but play continue. We just see 11th attempt of match – Sandro Tonali from outside box. Did it take deflection? Corner awarded.
Ally McCoist talk say first half so far dey very entertaining. Tottenham be better of two sides, but Aston Villa still get chance or two. These two teams don score one goal between dem for eight Premier League games this season. This one, however, fit easily be 2-2. Good chances at both ends but Zion Suzuki and Antonin Kinsky both make fine saves.
Having soak up chunks of pressure, Villa dey ask questions. Out of nowhere, great Villa chance to open scoring. Ball feed to Emiliano Buendia inside Spurs box and Argentine let fly – saved by Antonin Kinsky. The more I see of Zion Suzuki the more I like. The Villa keeper get big boots to fill but, boy, e look like great replacement following Emi Martinez departure.
Paul Merson talk say: ‘The first 15, 20 minutes I think they [Spurs] were outstanding [vs Everton].’ ‘I think the way they passed it, moved it, it caused problems for Everton. But they didn’t get that goal. And when they don’t get that goal, then that mindset sets in again.’ ‘I think they’d still be playing now [without scoring], wouldn’t they? That is the problem. They need to score early. And confidence is the thing as well.’
‘I say any footballer, I don’t care if you’re under-10s or professional, if you can bottle one thing, it’s confidence.’ ‘And at the moment, they just haven’t got that confidence and the belief. And that’s the problem, that belief.’
On Villa, Merson talk say: ‘No. I think they [Villa] have too many good players, if I’m being honest. I think it was a terrible result against Nottingham Forest. It was worrying.’ ‘They were dominating but couldn’t score a goal. But I’d be shocked if they got relegated.’ ‘They’ve got too many good players, and they’ve got one of the best managers in the business. They’re just having a little bit of a time at the moment.’
‘I do think this is a big game this weekend [vs Tottenham], though. It’s a huge game. Down at the bottom, if you’re down there, you’re down there.’ ‘I don’t worry about Tottenham or Villa, but I think it’s a big game for both teams because it’s a momentum swinger.’ ‘You win it, then you can kick on after the international break. It’s a big football match.’
On Arsenal, Merson talk say: ‘I think they [Arsenal] will win the Premier League by double digits. I think they’ll win it easy.’ ‘I look at Arsenal’s fixtures: Man City away, Man Utd away, Chelsea away, Liverpool away. After those four games, I don’t know who’s beating Arsenal.’ ‘They’re just a hard, hard team to beat. I don’t see them losing a lot of football matches this season.’
‘The shackles are off a bit. No one can call Arsenal bottle jobs any more. So the pressure is off.’ ‘And they just play with that feeling like they’ve had an email through and told them, you know what the score is going to be already.’ ‘I just watched them against Villa, and you watch them against Sunderland, and there’s no panic.’ ‘They play; it’s patient. They will score in the end and the opposition won’t. That is the way they are at the moment.’
