The Tottenham Hotspur lineup that should start against Aston Villa
By Max Cooper
This could quite literally be the most important team selection of Jose Mourinho's reign as Tottenham Hotspur coach.
The north Londoners suffered one of the most humiliating defeats in their recent history in midweek, somehow contriving to throw away a two-goal buffer, losing 3-0 in the second leg against a Dinamo Zagreb team whose manager was recently imprisoned for fraud.
*Insert "Maybe the Spurs players should face the same punishment for their fraudulent performances on Thursday" joke here.*
Seriously though, there is chaos and unrest flooding through White Hart Lane, and for all his legendary traits, arresting a slide is not Mourinho's forte.
His main job for Sunday is as follows: pick 11 players who are capable (and more crucially, willing) to win a football match. Spurs are taking on a stingy Aston Villa side in the midlands, and they cannot afford to get this one wrong.
Lose, and the pressure on Daniel Levy to sack his idol Mourinho could be too strong to ignore. But should the Portugese mastermind pick the XI that 90min recommends, he should live to fight another day. Check it out below.
1. Goalkeeper & Defenders
Hugo Lloris (GK) - That passion we saw after the loss on Thursday, Hugo? Carry that onto the pitch on Sunday and instil it into your teammates, please. Lloris is the captain, and he's feeling the pain of these setbacks as much as any fan.
Japhet Tanganga (RB) - Matt Doherty needs to be taken out of the firing line, and Serge Aurier is a ticking time bomb on the right side of that defence. So, let's put our future in the hands of a boy who's shown he has the ability, and most importantly, the desire to win in the lilywhite jersey.
Davinson Sanchez (CB) - Anything to keep Eric Dier out of the side, frankly. Sanchez still has many doubters to disprove, but for the time being, he'll have to do.
Toby Alderweireld (CB) - Here we have the best centre-back at the club, so there's not much else to say, other than 'get Alderweireld in the heart of that defence.'
Sergio Reguilon (LB) - An excellent full-back, and the best that Spurs have at their disposal. Absolutely no doubts or question marks over this spot in the team.
2. Midfielders
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (CM) - This guy was so, so badly missed in Spurs' midfield against Dinamo Zagreb. The visitors were never in control of the game, and that had plenty to do with Hojbjerg's absence. He's now the most important cog in this team.
Tanguy Ndombele (CM) - The Frenchman simply has to play - and has to be allowed to express himself to his full capacity. Spurs need to go for the win here, and Ndombele's creativity in the centre of the park will be key to their success.
Giovani Lo Celso (AM) - A welcome return for Mourinho and Spurs fans alike. Lo Celso's career in north London has been hampered by injuries, but he has still managed to win over his previously unconvinced boss. He needs the Argentine to step up, now more than ever.
3. Forwards
Gareth Bale (RW) - The Gareth Bale revival has hit a minor speed-bump, but the Welshman has shown enough in recent weeks to suggest that the good performances can outweigh the bad for the rest of the season. Time to relight that fire.
Harry Kane (ST) - This is a toughy. Kane must be absolutely knackered after playing 120 minutes in midweek, and Mourinho may normally be tempted to give him a rest. But there's no way he can take that risk this weekend. Sorry Harry, but get back out there and do your job.
Lucas Moura (LW) - Erik Lamela is suspended, Son Heung-min is likely to be injured, and Steven Bergwijn is confidence-shot, so Moura may be asked to do a shift out wide against Villa. It's nothing new to the Brazilian, in fairness.