Preview: Tottenham Hotspur vs. Aston Villa – team news, lineups, prediction, live stream

The same fate that befell Arsenal on the opening day of the 2021-22 Premier League season – much to the amusement of Tottenham fans – very nearly happened to Conte’s men, who quickly found themselves 2-0 down to Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium courtesy of strikes from Vitaly Janelt and Ivan Toney.

However, only Manchester City (30) and Arsenal (22) have amassed more Premier League goals on home soil than Tottenham’s 21 this term, while only one of their last eight New Year’s Day matches has ended in defeat, and the visiting manager can expect the most hostile of hostile welcomes.

Much-maligned former Arsenal manager Emery departed the Gunners with an unbeaten record from Premier League North London derbies, posting one win and two draws between 2018 and 2019, and his Aston Villa side certainly gave Liverpool a scare or two on Boxing Day.

The Lions had not posted a single Premier League away win in 2022-23 before Emery oversaw a 2-1 success at Brighton & Hove Albion just before the World Cup break, but the capital is not kind to Villa, who have suffered five successive top-flight losses on London territory.

Tottenham attacker Richarlison is still facing another few weeks out with his hamstring issue, but Conte could be boosted by a couple of returns for New Year’s Day, namely Cristian Romero from World Cup duty.

Djed Spence (illness) could also apply for a place in the squad, but Rodrigo Bentancur’s groin injury is yet to fully heal, while Lucas Moura is still trying to find a solution for his long-standing tendon problem.

Fraser Forster and Japhet Tanganga both featured from the off in the clash with Brentford, but Hugo Lloris and Romero can expect to displace the duo here, unless the fit-again Ben Davies is preferred in the three-man backline.

With regard to Villa, Emery ought to have an Argentinian World Cup hero of his own back in Emiliano Martinez, who remains at the centre of controversy in the wake of his torment of Kylian Mbappe during the Albiceleste celebrations.

Emery is even reported to be considering parting ways with Martinez, who will renew hostilities with Lloris here either way, while Diego Carlos and Jacob Ramsey remain on the sidelines.

The Spaniard will likely keep changes to a minimum for the trip to North London, but Ashley Young was found wanting at right-back against Liverpool and could now cede his position to Matty Cash.