Only two Tottenham players named in Gabby Agbonlahor’s combined XI with Aston Villa

Just two Tottenham players get into a combined starting XI with Aston Villa ahead of Sunday's clash in the capital.

That is the view of former Villans striker Gabby Abbonlahor, who believes Unai Emery's side boast a better side on paper from the players available.

Villa go into this weekend's match in fifth spot - just one point behind Spurs and three points off Premier League leaders Manchester City.

Only the Citizens have scored more [32 goals] than Villa [29 goals] so far this season, with the club - along with Spurs - winning eight out of their opening eight matches.

Spurs have a mini-crisis ahead of the fixture, with James Maddison, Micky van de Ven and Richarlison all injured, meanwhile Cristian Romero and Yves Bissouma are ruled out through suspension.

And it is because of this that Agbonlahor has named a Villa-heavy line-up combined from the two teams.

Reeling his team off to co-host Alan Brazil on the talkSPORT Sports Breakfast show, he said: "[Emiliano] Martinez in goal, Matty Cash right-back, [Ezri] Konsa and [Pau] Torres are my centre-halves, [Destiny] Udogie for Spurs as my left-back.

"[Douglas] Luiz, [John] McGinn and [Boubacar] Kamara as my three midfielders.

"Son [Heung-min] on the left, [Moussa] Diaby on the right and [Ollie] Watkins up front.

"So only two Spurs players make my Villa-Spurs XI out of players that are available this Sunday.

"Maddison isn't in there, Van de Ven, Romero, Bissouma - they're not available. I think everyone would agree with that XI there."

Such is Agbonlahor's confidence in Villa, he believes that the Midlands outfit will finish higher than Spurs this season, even when the north Londoners have a full-strength squad.

He stated: "I think they'll [Villa] finish in the top six. Have you seen the state of the Premier League? I think they'll finish higher than Spurs."

And unsurprisingly, Agbonlahor is confident his former employers will get the job done in the capital.

Replying to Brazil's view that Spurs will earn at least a draw, the ex-Watford loanee remarked: "You don't think so [Villa to win]?

"So with Spurs' injuries and their suspensions and the way Villa are playing... you know Villa are only one point behind Spurs? Scored more goals than them.

"I think this is the sort of game that Villa will turn up, and it's been a great season so far."