Tottenham have been handed an injury concern ahead of their clash against Aston Villa on Saturday as Eric Dier is missing from the matchday squad. The defender wasn't part of the side that beat Crystal Palace, with Ryan Mason opting for a back three that included Emerson Royal, Cristian Romero and Clement Lenglet.
The interim manager has opted for the same team from the 1-0 victory, knowing they need a win to keep their top four hopes alive. The Lilywhites currently six points behind rivals Manchester United, having just three games left to catch them in fourth, with an extra game played.
"It is tough because we are in a results business," Mason said when asked if given the choice of finishing in any European place this season. "I do understand and recognise that. I am not naïve enough to think otherwise but at the same time I think in the summer I am pretty sure we will look at work we've done and feel like we've done a good job in terms of the culture we've tried to set, the environment we've tried to set and what we've tried to create at the football club. We hope and expect that going forward that will continue."
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While a win over Villa could keep their slim top four hopes alive, a defeat would see the Midlands side move level with them on points and would put any European qualification chance in jeopardy. It remains to be seen how that will play out, but the depth on the bench looks lighter if Tottenham need a boost late on.
Dier's absence plays a part in that, with his injury currently unknown at this moment, with Mason likely to cover the extent of it in his post-match press conference. However, with just a few weeks left of the season, there will be some hope that the defender will be able to make a return.
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