Should Tottenham change formation against Aston Villa? The pros and cons - Opinion

With no natural wingers in the squad and an injury list that seems to grow by the day, Tottenham Hotspur find themselves, yet again, at a tactical crossroads.

The absence of width has not only blunted the attacking edge but also sparked a growing chorus among supporters calling for a shift in formation.

So with the shortening list of players available, the question is no longer whether Spurs should adapt but how.

Tottenham have had some unconvincing cameos out wide

Since joining the club, Roberto De Zerbi has been searching for his perfect wing combination and has had no success.

Traditional wide men in his system must perform very specific tasks. They must stretch the play, rotate with teammates, take on their man 1v1, and provide a constant goal threat.

These attributes almost perfectly describe Mohammed Kudus. De Zerbi identified the Ghanian as a key player in his system, but the club later confirmed he would not return from injury as soon as expected.

This isn’t a new problem, however. Throughout this season, all three managers have shoehorned players outside, desperate to find some sort of solution.

Pape Matar Sarr, Lucas Bergvall and Conor Gallagher are all central midfielders who have been shoved out wide. While Richarlison and Randal Kolo Muani are traditional 9s, receiving the same fate.

So, should Spurs move away from wingers altogether?

On the surface, moving away from a system reliant on traditional wide players makes sense. A switch to a narrower setup could allow Spurs to play to their current strengths.

Many fans online have been calling for a 4-3-1-2 or a 3-5-2. By crowding central areas, they can maximise the influence of industrious midfielders. And playing two strikers could help improve the team’s lack of goal threat.

A five-at-the-back formation could also see the introduction of wingbacks, roles that could suit Djed Spence and Souza.

There’s also a defensive upside. A more compact shape naturally limits space between the lines, making Spurs harder to break down. With injuries already stretching the squad, simplifying defensive responsibilities could provide some much-needed stability.

But abandoning width comes at a cost for Tottenham

Modern football, especially how De Zerbi typically plays, thrives on stretching opposition defences.

Without wingers, Spurs risk becoming more predictable and could find themselves struggling to create chances even more than before.

Narrow systems can congest central areas, making it easier for opponents to sit deep and frustrate attacking moves. They also rely on full-backs to provide width, placing enormous physical demands on them.

Any added physical burden right now is frightening, especially risky given the current injury concerns.

Roberto De Zerbi could switch things up for the Aston Villa game

The timing of this tactical dilemma is far from ideal. The upcoming clash against Aston Villa presents a very specific challenge.

Under Unai Emery, Villa play with discipline, stay compact, and pose a constant threat in transition.

They are comfortable defending in a mid-to-low block before springing forward quickly, often exploiting space left behind by advancing full-backs.

Against Villa, the absence of natural wingers could cut both ways.

On one hand, a narrower Spurs setup might help them dominate central areas and disrupt the Villains’ build-up, potentially limiting the effectiveness of their transitions.

Packing the midfield could also help control possession and dictate tempo, something the club hasn’t been able to do all year.

On the other hand, failing to stretch Villa’s defensive shape could play directly into their hands.

Emery’s side thrives in transitions; if there is space to be exploited, they will exploit it. This only worsens if De Zerbi does look to his full-backs for width, leaving acres of space behind them.

Ultimately, the decision is a balancing act. Adaptation may be necessary given the circumstances, but it must be carefully managed.

Changing formation at this point of the season, especially when it appears the players are beginning to buy into De Zerbi’s ideas, will be a massive risk.

But maybe a necessary one.

Whether a new formation becomes a solution or another complication remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Spurs have to adapt.

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