Who Will Get Top 4? @UnitedSpursofAmerica @LilywhiteLab [PANEL CLIPS]

Summary

The panel discusses whether Aston Villa or Tottenham are favorites to claim the final Champions League spot in the Premier League. While Spurs have key players returning from injury, Villa seem to be hitting form under Unai Emery. The matchup between the two teams in a few weeks could prove pivotal. Both clubs also have difficult run-ins and European commitments that could impact results. Overall there is no clear favorite, but Villa currently holds the advantage. Much could change in the coming games for all teams vying for 4th place.

Takeaways

• 📺 The panel previously identified Spurs as favorites for the top four but now sees Aston Villa as a strong contender due to their recent form.
• 🏆 There's an ongoing debate on whether Spurs or Aston Villa are the favorites to secure a top-four finish in the league.
• 📈 Both teams face tactical and form-related challenges, with Spurs working on overcoming a low block and transition game issues.
• 🔥 Aston Villa's high line and potential tactical weaknesses are identified, yet their current form brings optimism.
• 🧹 The upcoming match at Villa Park is considered crucial but not necessarily season-defining for Spurs' top-four hopes.
• 🚨 Concerns are raised about Aston Villa's defense due to injuries, potentially affecting their performance in upcoming games.
• 🏀 European football commitments for Aston Villa, including Europa Conference League matches, could impact their league performance.
• 📝 The panelists believe the top-four race remains very open, with no clear favorite between Spurs, Aston Villa, and even Manchester United entering the conversation.
• 📲 The importance of not losing the direct confrontation game at Villa Park is highlighted, emphasizing the impact on the top-four race.
• 👍 Both panelists share where their content can be found, inviting viewers to subscribe and follow for more in-depth analysis and discussions on Tottenham Hotspur.

Q & A

Are Aston Villa now considered favorites for the Premier League top four over Spurs?

The discussion suggests that while Spurs were initially considered favorites, Aston Villa's recent form has led to debate over which team is more likely to secure a top-four finish.

What are the perceived tactical weaknesses of Aston Villa according to the discussion?

The discussion points to Aston Villa's high defensive line as a tactical weakness that can be exposed by opponents.

Is there a belief that Spurs will see an upturn in form?

Yes, there's a belief that with players returning and building familiarity, Spurs will see an upturn in form.

What factors are believed to potentially improve Spurs' performance?

Factors include the return of players, building familiarity, and adapting to opponents' tactics, such as playing off one and two touches and passing through the lines more quickly.

How significant is the upcoming game at Villa Park for the top four race?

The game at Villa Park is considered a huge match for the top four race, but not a season-defining one, as there's a lot of football still to be played.

What challenges do Spurs face in their remaining schedule?

Spurs face a challenging schedule with difficult fixtures, especially in April and May, including games against all three title contenders.

How might Aston Villa's participation in European football affect their top-four ambitions?

European football could potentially strain Villa's squad and impact their Premier League form, especially with matches against Ajax in the Europa Conference League.

What has been Unai Emery's historical approach to balancing league and European competition?

Historically, Unai Emery tends to prioritize European competitions, often leading to his teams' league performances suffering as they progress in Europe.

What concerns exist regarding Aston Villa's defense for the remainder of the season?

Concerns for Villa's defense include injuries to key players like Konsa and Mings, and potential reliance on less preferred options like Chambers and Lenglet.

What are the implications of the tight race for the top four on Spurs, Aston Villa, and possibly Manchester United?

The tight race for the top four suggests no clear favorite, with all involved teams, including Manchester United, having a chance to secure a Champions League spot, making every game critical.

Outlines

00:00

🙋‍♂️ Spurs top 4 hopes and game against Villa

The panel discusses Spurs' top 4 chances, focusing on the upcoming crucial match against Aston Villa. They debate whether Villa or Spurs are currently favorites for 4th place, citing injuries, scheduling, and form as factors. There is agreement the match at Villa Park largely determines if Spurs can realistically get top 4.

05:01

👀 Assessing where Spurs lost pivotal points in the race

The panel reflects on previous results to analyze where Spurs dropped pivotal points, specifically the draws against Everton and Wolves. There is feeling that top 4 is now in Villa's hands given their 5 point lead, barring a dip in their form.

10:03

🔮 Factoring European games and injuries into Villa's run-in

Discussion on how Villa's upcoming European ties and mounting injury list could impact their domestic form and top 4 hopes. Spurs' tough April schedule also cited as a balancing factor in the race.

Keywords

💡Top Four

The term 'Top Four' refers to the top four positions in the English Premier League (EPL) table, which typically qualify teams for the next season's UEFA Champions League. This is a highly sought-after achievement for clubs due to the prestige and financial benefits of participating in Europe's top club competition. In the script, there is a debate on whether Spurs or Aston Villa are the favorites to secure a top-four finish, highlighting the competitive nature of the league and the significant implications of these positions.

💡Familiarity

Familiarity in the context of this discussion points to the advantage a football team gains as players become more accustomed to each other's playstyles and the team's tactical strategies. The script mentions Spurs benefiting from 'familiarity building again,' suggesting that as players recover from injuries and spend more time playing together, their performance is expected to improve. This concept is crucial in sports teams, where coordination and understanding among players can significantly impact performance.

💡Tactical Weaknesses

Tactical weaknesses refer to flaws or vulnerabilities in a team's game plan or strategy that opponents can exploit. In the script, it's mentioned that Villa's 'Highline' is a tactical weakness that can be exposed, suggesting that their defensive strategy of playing further up the pitch leaves them susceptible to counter-attacks. Identifying and exploiting tactical weaknesses is a critical aspect of football analysis and strategy.

💡Low Block and Transition Game

A 'low block' refers to a defensive strategy where a team sets up with most of its players behind the ball, close to their own goal, to limit space and opportunities for the opposing team. The 'transition game' involves how a team switches from defense to attack and vice versa. The script highlights Spurs' struggle with this aspect of play, suggesting difficulties in breaking down defensively organized teams and efficiently moving from defense to attack.

💡Coefficient

The coefficient in football usually refers to UEFA's ranking system based on the performance of clubs in European competitions. It can impact the number of spots available to a league in these competitions. The script hints at the possibility of the fifth position in the EPL offering Champions League football if certain conditions related to the coefficient are met, underscoring the complex system governing European football qualifications.

💡Game in Hand

A 'game in hand' refers to a situation where a team has played fewer games than its competitors. In the script, Spurs have a game in hand, implying they could potentially close the gap on Villa if they win this extra game. This term is important in league competitions, as it can significantly affect standings and perceptions of which team is in a more favorable position.

💡European Football

European football, in this context, refers to the participation in European club competitions like the UEFA Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League. The script discusses the impact of Villa's involvement in European competition on their squad depth and fatigue levels, suggesting that this could affect their league performance. Participation in European football is both a testament to a club's success and a challenge due to the additional fixtures it brings.

💡Injuries

Injuries to players are mentioned several times in the script, particularly in relation to Villa's squad. Injuries can significantly impact a team's performance, affecting team selection and tactical planning. The discussion points out that injuries, especially to key players, could hinder Villa's top-four ambitions by weakening their squad depth and on-field capabilities.

💡Champions League Money

Champions League money refers to the significant financial rewards clubs earn from participating in the UEFA Champions League, including TV rights, sponsorships, and matchday revenues. The script implies that securing a top-four finish and thus qualification for the Champions League is financially lucrative, influencing clubs' priorities and strategies throughout the season.

💡Run In

The 'run in' refers to the final part of the season where the remaining fixtures are played out. Teams often face a 'tough run in' with challenging matches that can determine their final league position. The script discusses the tough run in for both Spurs and Villa, highlighting the crucial matches and potential challenges they face as they compete for a top-four finish. This term encapsulates the high-stakes nature of the closing stages of a football season.

Highlights

Spurs are favorites to get top 4, but Aston Villa have found good form recently

Kish still backs Spurs for top 4 once key players return and familiarity builds

Kish admits Villa are playing very well, but thinks they still have tactical weaknesses

Kish sees Spurs vs Villa in a few weeks as a huge but not definitive game for top 4 hopes

Jacob thinks Spurs can still get top 4 but Villa are one of the hot teams right now

Dropped points vs. Everton and Wolves were crucial for Spurs' top 4 chances

After April, Spurs face a brutal stretch of games that will impact the title race

Villa's injuries in defense could hurt them with their tough upcoming schedule

Unai Emery often prioritizes Europe over league, but Villa may push for top 4

Villa also have a difficult run-in, including Arsenal, Liverpool and European games

Spurs game at Chelsea won't be easy despite their struggles this season

Spurs-Villa game isn't definitive but a loss would make top 4 very difficult

No clear favorite between Spurs/Villa/Man United for that 4th spot

Kish still slightly favors Spurs for top 4 but Villa lead after beating Forest

It's touch and go between Spurs, Villa and Man United for that 4th spot

Transcripts

but let's move on finishing off the last

topic of the panel and we're going to

talk about top four and you know we we

did a panel a couple of weeks back

saying Spurs are the favorites for the

top four but you're looking at Villa now

they seem to found um a new lease of

Life a bit of form coming back in into

their season we'll start off with ukiss

do you think that Villa are now the

favorites for the top four do you still

back Spurs to make that top four I still

think we'll get top four um I think with

everyone coming back and that as I said

that familiarity building again I think

we'll we will see upturn in form um I

think Villa are are very good uh I still

think there's some kind of tactical

weaknesses there in terms of their

Highline that can get exposed um and I

think I think we'll we'll we'll kind of

have a upturn in form I do I do honestly

think that I just think it is going to

take a bit of time for that familiarity

to build again um I think teams might

have kind of seem to adapt to us and and

that low block and transition game is is

obviously something we're struggle

struggling with there's two things with

that I think first of all not every team

wants to adapt so some teams are going

to play on the front foot against us and

come out and and and press us and that

will suit us I also think as the kind of

familiarity um comes in Midfield we'll

see those passes like through the lines

come La bit quicker um touches kind of

being limited so kind of playing off one

and two touch and and as that all builds

those kind of things make such a

difference those small percentages will

make a difference um so yeah I I do

think I do think we'll we'll improve and

I still think we'll get top four yeah

it's a massive game at Villa Park in a

couple of weeks isn't it do you think a

lot is hinging on that game or do you

think there's just so many more games

that um it's not that pivotal as maybe

people may think I think it's huge game

for sure um but I don't think it's a

kind of season def finer um I still

think there's a lot of football to be

played and I do think Villa will have a

a dip at some point and I'm sure will be

up and down until then I don't see for

for for a number of Seasons now I think

there's always been that kind of fourth

spot where where no one really makes it

their own and I I see that happening

again this season with with teams kind

of losing and winning and losing and

winning again yeah I I mean is a massive

massive game in a couple of weeks at

Villa Park but where where where do you

sit with it Jacob do you feel like Spurs

are still favorites for the top four we

are sitting fifth at the moment and

fifth could actually be Champions League

football next season if things do go our

way with the coefficients and everything

like that but we'll focus on top four

for now where' you sit with

it well for me it's definitely

achievable um we do have a game in hand

and even if we win that we'll still be

two points behind Aston Villa and when

I'm looking at the schedule that game at

Villa Park and the subsequent two games

loon and F uh Fulham at Craven Cottage I

believe and then yeah Luton at home

those are really going to be our last

big moments uh for me in terms of these

crucial points because I think no one

has a schedule as as hard as ours in

that stretch there what is it April May

those are some atrocious fixtures I am

not looking forward to now I do think

we'll we'll throw a couple wrenches into

this into the works as far as the title

race goes because we're going to be

playing three all three of them and in

those following weeks but uh really you

know United are still on our tail we got

lucky that that Fulham shout out to doat

tror he bailed us out and and helped us

to keep that three-point Gap we were 11

points clear of United at one point and

then they've they've slowly caught up

with this random ten hog form which I

don't understand but to me the good

teams will get hot at the right moments

Aston Villa I think are one of those

teams unfortunately I think they're if I

had to put some money on it which I'm

not a betting man because I'm awful at

it but if I had to I would say I'll

probably put it on Villa I think I think

unai Emery right now they they are

flying on a cylinder we are trying we're

like maybe we'll get there next week

next week we we could we could be firing

on all S I agree with Kish that once we

have our core back and we see our

strongest 11 which we saw at the

beginning of the year we will look

better however I don't think we're going

to look as good as we did in the

beginning of the season because I

remember in the summer saying an Pago

like Marcelo bielsa is going to come

into this league and is going to put

everyone back they're going to say oh

hang on I don't know how I'm supposed to

defend this but then they're going to

get 10 10 games I remember and I'm not

trying to say I'm no stromas or anything

but I remember I said it's gonna be like

5 10 games you give these world class

managers 5 10 matches of game footage

they're gonna watch they're gonna watch

it they're gonna watch it and they're

gonna find out oh here behind Pedro poro

there's space there we can probably

isolate some space behind yud DOI oh

well yud DOI two world class oh excuse

me we can't get behind you doy so let's

go let's go back to that spacing behind

port and they and and they've kind of

figured out wolves perfect example Gary

O'Neal got six points against us I'm

saying the first one I don't blame Ang

pagu necessarily I do blame him for

starting Eric Dyer but again when I look

at points and where points were dropped

to me losing two points to Everton

dropping three points to wolves those

were crucial in my opinion for the top

four fight because we needed these

points before the road really got hairy

and really got rough it's about to get

real rough after Luton it is is West Ham

then forest and Forest are no pushover

let's remember they were bodying us the

first time we played them they number 22

I think was I don't remember his name

number 22 put in like six fouls in the

first 90 seconds no cards and poor son I

just remember he got two fouled like

three times within 15 seconds was crazy

but that's my point is these team it

they're gonna be fighting for their

lives as well when you are in the

position we are in we we cannot be

dropping those points points to the A4

mentioned matches to me that that is

where I feel like the top four race has

really become in Aston Villa's hands now

we're relying on them to drop points

they need to at least lose and we got to

win two in a row in order for us to

overtake them so for me when it's not in

your hands my money would go on the

people whose hands it is in and it's not

in ours at this current moment you look

at it and you say you know Villa

probably are the favorites and I do

think it is potentially Villas to lose

right now but European football is

coming back around that Tottenham game

is sandwiched in between two ties

against Ajax do you not think that with

Villa's Squad it's no it's not the

strongest Squad they're starting to

build up a few injuries now do you not

feel like that's going to hurt them a

little bit having that European football

that Thursday Sunday um if they progress

far into the Europa conference League

well it's absolutely going to work in

our favor and I love that you mentioned

that cuz I didn't know that that

absolutely makes me feel better about

the

however unai Emery and Aston Villa their

goals I'm sure has got to be get

Champions League football next year now

correct me if I'm wrong they're in the

conference League correct yeah

correct I feel like they win that they

get Europa they're in position to get

Champions League what is their what is

their goal going to be what is their

owners going to be saying unai this is

what I want you to do I don't know the

answer to that but I would assume it to

be give me that sweet sweet Champions

League money is what I would assume and

if you're in a position to get full

three points on Tottenham who are right

now the closest to taking that sweet

sweet Champions League money from you to

me I'm valuing that match over the first

leg in Ajax we'll get him on the second

one no problem but that first leg let's

not worry about it because we got to

worry about to that's what I would

assume the owners to do or what they

would prefer what I would say to that

Jacob is there is a lot of precedent

with unai emray in being in this

position he's literally been in this

position like countless amount of times

and every single time without fail he he

favors the European matches rather than

the league he's did but with Sevilla

with Villa roale with Arsenal as well

every time he's like looks like he's

going to be in sometimes a title race

but more often than not like a top four

race and it's happened so many times in

where they've Fallen away and they've

prioritized the European Cup and they to

be fair they do usually go on and either

win it or get to a final and go very

close but usually that's how it works

with an it's like a it's like a it's

like his career at the moment that's

literally what he does um he he

prioritized European football so I

wouldn't be surprised if he goes that

way again for Villa but you might be

right maybe the the owners might you

know Villa have well they haven't been

never been in Champions League I don't

think in the Premier League have they or

maybe not since the 90s um not even in

the 90s in the '90s

so maybe there'll be more pression this

time around than than before to really

go for that Champions League football

and and put the uh conference league on

the back burner but I know unai will

know that conference leagues I know he's

won Europa League a number of times but

conference League's a competition easy

yet to win so maybe he'll feel one of

the favorites for it as well maybe feel

like look I got to go for this and I got

to take this really seriously and also

you got to look at for me I'm looking V

at the moment they got a very good win

against Forest on the weekend and

obviously they won 4-2 um orbe it they

were three up and they were they Forest

did get it back to 3-2 and they then

origi missed to one one and it could

have easily been 3-3 and vill end up

winning but I'm looking at their center

backs at the moment K has got a

long-term injury Mings has got a

long-term injury pal Torres um sorry

Carlos has also got quite a bad in I

believe I thought Mings is nearly back

isn't he or he still well he look he's

if he is back he's back from an ACL so

whever he's back at is

best maybe he's not nearly back then I

don't um pal Torres went off at halim I

don't think it's a severe injury but all

I know is in the second half against

Forest they played a back two of Callen

Chambers and clemon longlay now if that

is going to be their back two for the

foreseeable future they're going to have

some serious issues we got if that's the

back two when we play them we got to be

licking our lips in that game we got to

take them to the sword but also you look

at it like with the Villa season them

going for the conference League that

could be like work massively in our

favor because not only will it maybe

diminish their chances of getting top

four but also if they do get the top

four if United get the top four the

English coefficient goes up the deeper

they go into the conference League maybe

not as much as maybe champions league

and Europa League football and also just

to put on Jacob's point about the

running

we obviously have a very tough April we

that's no secret we have five games in a

row where it's extremely difficult but

Villa as well have a very tough run in

and you can't uh take that take that

away they go to the Emirates they go to

the EAD they've got Liverpool at home as

well they've also got Brighton away

which is an extreme I think Brighton

have only lost one game at home this

season Al maybe two games at home so

that's a very very difficult game no

guarantees they win that they still got

they exactly they got to play wolves

which I think that's going that's a

derby first to First foremost and I

think it's a game which uh wolves will

be relishing in that kind of game so as

much as we have a very difficult run in

um plus you put European football on top

of that run in for Villa as well I

expect a lot of drop points for them in

their running and so but the problem is

obviously that we are five points behind

and our game in hand isn't exactly an

easy game we go to Stanford bridge and I

know Chelsea haven't been having a good

season but we know by exactly but we

know by hook or by crook we saw they

they they had a very season in the

Leicester season and they ended up

getting the point against as they needed

to stop us so I've got no doubt about it

that poch is going to have all the

motivation Chelsea have all motivation

to play out their skins in that game so

the problem is we are five points behind

with a very tough game in hand so we're

not in a great position at this current

time to be saying especially going to a

game with Villa Park the thing in terms

of Villa Park game I think it's not it

it's not a massive game unless we lose

if you know what I mean a draw or a win

obviously then it's still to play for

but if we do lose that all of a sudden

it's eight points and uh and the game in

hand is Chelsea it's all all of a sudden

it's going to start to look very I guess

there's still a game in between that we

got Palace at home they got luten away

we have to see what happens there but

let's say we both win then if we lose I

don't think it's a given they live they

I'm saying I'm not saying that's a tough

game I'm not saying it's a given I'm

just saying let's say for the sake of

argument going into going into that game

that if we it's still Five Points with

the game in hand if we lose that game

then all of a sudden Villa become

massive favorites eight points even

though we have a game in hand that's

still eight points and that'll be that

even with their running we got a tough

run in that would make it very difficult

so as long as we don't lose that game

it's okay but if we do lose then and

it's going to be very very hard well I

still think I think right now if I'm

going to say if I'm going to put my

money on anything I'm looking all the

circumstances I'm looking at everything

I do just shade Tottenham I do but I do

think

it's go between everyone since we lost

to wolves and they won their game

against Forest it's definitely swung in

their favor I think it's massively touch

and go I don't think there's any clear

favorite for top four right now I think

it's so tight between all the clubs to

be honest and I put M as much as I in

the beginning a few months ago I would

have said no chance for Man United but I

put man united in there as well now I

think it's so touch and go between all

three teams but look I think we're going

to leave it there I think we have run

out of time for today I want to thank

Jacob and Kish for coming on today um

first of all Kish do you want to let the

people know where they can find you and

where they can hit that subscribe button

on your channel yeah so it's Lily white

lab on YouTube we're also on X as well

so give us a follow on X And subscribe

to our YouTube we do kind of player

analysis kind of match analysis um so

yeah hit us up there brilliant and thank

you so much for coming on today Kish

Jacob um let the people when where they

can know where they can find you should

I say um apart from on the pump UPS yeah

appreci appreciate uh first of all thank

you so much for having me good uh such a

great way to wake up and uh just get to

talk Tottenham hot spur it's such great

normally when I wake up for early shows

it's for like a rival show of some kind

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hosper fan channel so I appreciate uh

first of all allow me on the pump UPS as

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forward to this weekends as well um

you'll find me here on the pump UPS

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SPS of America I go live about five six

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everyone in the comments for joining in

today uh really enjoyed that show so

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