Tottenham Hotspur can’t let their impending clashes with RB Leipzig and Chelsea to distract from the importance of this weekend’s game against Aston Villa.
Spurs take on Dean Smith’s side on Sunday, before the first leg of their Round of 16 Champions League tie against the German outfit and a London derby that could have dramatic implications on the race to finish in the top four.
However, Spurs do not have the best record against clubs at the bottom of the league.
At the time of writing, Villa are 17th, one point clear of the relegation zone.
In total, Spurs have lost eight games this season and drawn seven.
The losses have come against the following teams: Newcastle United, Leicester City, Brighton & Hove Albion, Manchester United, Chelsea, Southampton, and twice against Liverpool.
They have also drawn with Watford twice, Norwich City, Sheffield United, Everton, Arsenal and Manchester City.
It is interesting to note that both Norwich and Watford are in the relegation zone; the other team, West Ham United, were beaten 3-2 in Jose Mourinho’s first match in charge.
This is not going to be a walkover, then, and if Spurs want to finish in the top-four, they need to make winning a habit.
It sounds obvious, of course, but it is easier said than done and momentum is an important thing for those at the top and those at the bottom.
Spurs are currently four points off Chelsea and can cut that gap to one point if they beat Villa because Frank Lampard’s side play Manchester United on Monday night. Spurs are also on a three-game unbeaten run and a victory this weekend would give the feeling of something of a surge.
Villa, by comparison, have won just one of their last three, a 2-1 win over fellow strugglers AFC Bournemouth.
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They have failed to claim a major scalp this season, though they did draw 2-2 with United at Old Trafford, and they too will be aware of the need to string some wins together if they are to have any hope of survival.
It would be easy for Spurs to assume victory this weekend and focus attention on the clashes with Leipzig and Chelsea but as their history this season shows, they can ill-afford to do that.
Otherwise, they risk a major dent being put in their ambitions for this season.