Tottenham vs Aston Villa - Premier League: Live score, team news and updates as high-flying Spurs host Unai Emery's in-form side

Fabio Paratici is back at Tottenham after a 30-month ban imposed by the Italian FA and extended worldwide by FIFA for his part in the 'Plusvalenza' scandal that rocked Juventus.

He'll be working as sporting director, though some argue he never left.

I'll be honest, there's so much to this saga, and no one better to explain it in full than Matt. So click here or below to read his take.

Here's what our friends at SkyBet say about the chances of both sides today:

Not too much to separate them, but Spurs the clear favourites!

There are two games today. First up we have this game, Tottenham vs Aston Villa, but there's the small matter of Liverpool vs Manchester United from Anfield later.

Liverpool are in dire form, losing three games in a row, and will be desperate to lose their fourth against their archest rivals.

United aren't exactly in fantastic form either. But they did win last time out!

Cannot wait for this one. We'll have full coverage on the site, but, for now, here's a story to whet your appetite ahead of the game: a combined XI by the stats boffins!

You can read it by clicking here or below.

Plenty of goals yesterday, perhaps none moreso than in the early kick off, which saw Ange Postecolgou lose his job at Nottingham Forest after a 3-0 defeat by Chelsea.

Here's a full rundown:

Let's hope today follows suit!

Unai Emery, Aston Villa manager:

Thomas Frank, Tottenham manager:

Here's the top 13 of the Premier League table going into today. 13 may seem random, but I needed to include Villa.

It’s not good reading for Spurs fans. Not necessarily because of their own team, but because Arsenal are comfortably top. Sorry.

Anyway, Spurs are fifth, which is good - particularly compared to last year. Win today, and they will in fact go second and could finish the day there too. Maybe I’m not giving them enough credit.

Villa are 13th, but will go ninth with a win. They’re getting there.

And here's the team Thomas Frank has gone with today.

Richarlison is on the bench, with Xavi Simons and Mathys Tel starting.

Mohammed Kudus starts, with Djed Spence getting the nod at left back.

Here's the XI Unai Emery has picked for today.

Ollie Watkins is on the bench. Whether that is tactical or as a result of his injury on England duty, I'm not sure.

Elsewhere, Ezri Konsa starts his 200th Premier League game for Aston Villa. Jadon Sancho is also on the bench.

It was a really awkward start to the season for Aston Villa, who didn’t score a goal for about 85 years and appeared to be on the ropes.

But, just like that, they turned it around. Unai Emery’s men have now won their last four matches in all competitions, including their last two league matches.

Before the international break, they beat Burnley 2-1 at home thanks to a Donyell Malen brace. They will be hoping to continue that run in the capital today.

I think the best way to describe Tottenham under  Thomas Frank so far this season would be ‘fine’. Or maybe ‘vulnerable’.

Like, they’re alright, but do have some issues. Scoring goals has been one, and their players have been pretty hit or miss so far.

A disappointing draw against Wolves came before another game draw in the Champions League against Bodo/Glimt, but they did beat Leeds at Elland Road before the break.

Tough one for them today. This won’t be easy.

Good afternoon everyone and welcome to Daily Mail Sport’s live coverage of Aston Villa vs Tottenham in the Premier League today!

Yesterday was an absolute cracker. Some shocking results, some thrillers, and a sacking…

Let’s hope today can live up to it. We have a big, biiiiig game later on, but first is Tottenham vs Aston Villa from north London.

Kick off is at 2pm, but we’ll have all the build up, coverage and news before then. So strap in, and stay tuned!