Tottenham Hotspur

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Tottenham boss Thomas Frank, speaking after Tuesday's 1-0 win against Villarreal in the Champions League:

"Doing the tough job, that gives you a top opportunity to win games and we have proven that so far.

"I thought it was a big win. In any competition it's good to get three points and get a good start. I'm happy with that.

"I'm happy with the clean sheet and happy with the defensive side of the game. I think we were extremely good and limited Villarreal to very little throughout the game.

"Obviously offensively we struggled on the day to create something against a good team. It was a very even game that we edged in the end.

"What I like is that our foundation is strong. Now we are four games won, three in the Premier League and one in the Champions League, and we have four clean sheets which is massive."

Did you know?

• Luiz Junior's own goal after just three minutes and eight seconds was Tottenham's earliest ever goal in a Champions League match.

• There was just one shot in target in this match - coming from Pape Matar Sarr for in the 30th minute. It's just the second Champions League match involving a Premier League or LaLiga side on record to have one or fewer attempts on target, after Chelsea 0-0 Sparta Prague in November 2003 (1).

Image source, Getty Images

Tottenham defender Micky van de Ven, speaking to Amazon Prime after Spurs' 1-0 win against Villarreal: "I think it was a tough one, not an easy one. We didn't play well but it was an important one.

"We had a really good start and of course you want to build on that, but Villarreal are a really difficult team to play against. Every time on the counter attack, they keep the strikers forward, they're really dangerous.

"Of course you want to build on the 1-0 at the start of the game but at the end we got the three points and that's the most important."

On his foul late in the game which earned him a yellow card: "Of course, you never know what the referee is going to do in that moment. I think because I went for the ball it's not a red card. I haven't seen it back properly so I can't say what I think at the moment."

Tottenham midfielder Lucas Bergvall added: "It was really tough. Villarreal did a great performance but a 1-0 win at home is amazing.

"We talk a lot about 'clean sheet mentality' and they did not have a shot on target, so we did a really good job."

Gary Rose
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, AFP via Getty Images

This 1-0 win against Villarreal was the result Tottenham wanted as they made their return to the Champions League for the first time since the 2022-23 season, but it was far from a perfect performance.

Luiz Junior's unfortunate mistake got the home crowd going and could have been the platform for Tottenham to go on and put in a commanding performance, but that failed to materialise as they largely laboured to the win.

Tottenham's start this season has been impressive, with eye-catching wins against West Ham and Manchester City but there was the concerning display in the 1-0 loss to Bournemouth.

There were more similarities in this game to the performance against the Cherries, with some poor passages of play and sloppy passes whenever they did break forward.

Despite that, their defending was resolute with Micky van de Ven and Rodrigo Bentancur making some crucial tackles, particularly in the second half when Villarreal pushed for an equaliser.

The win means Tottenham are now unbeaten in their past 21 home games in Uefa competitions.

• Have your say on Spurs' performance

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Former Premier League striker Chris Sutton, speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live after Tottenham's Champions League win against Villarreal:

"It's all about the three points for Tottenham. It certainly wasn't pretty but they got the job done.

"It was a horrendous own goal from Luiz Junior early on. Tottenham weren't fluent, in the second half Villarreal had the better of the game.

"It's Thomas Frank's first game in the Champions League as a manager and it's a big win for him, a big win for Tottenham and they move on."

Tottenham Hotspur's Champions League campaign began with a narrow home win against Spanish side Villarreal.

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Get in touch with your views here

Come back to this page on Wednesday to find a selection of your replies

Xavi Simons will make his home debut for Tottenham in their Champions League opener against Villarreal.

In total there are two changes for Spurs, with Rodrigo Bentancur and Richarlison coming into the side.

Tottenham XI: Vicario; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Spence; Bentancur, Sarr, Bergvall; Kudus, Richarlison, Simons.

Subs: Kinsky, Austin, Danso, Joao Palhinha, Udogie, Gray, Johnson, Odobert, Davies, Kolo Muani, Scarlett, Byfield.

Ex-Tottenham defender Juan Foyth starts for - and captains - Villarreal.

Tajon Buchanan, who has scored three La Liga goals this season, is also in the first XI for the visitors.

Villarreal XI: Luiz Junior, Mourino, Foyth, Renato Veiga, Cardona, Buchanan, Comesana, Gueye, Pepe, Perez, Mikautadze.

Subs: Conde, Tenas, Altimira, Rafa Marín, Solomon, Parejo, Akhomach, Partey, Moleiro, Oluwaseyi, Pedraza, Navarro.

There are six games in the Champions League on Tuesday, two of them involving Premier League teams, and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Athletic Bilbao v Arsenal (17:45) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• PSV Eindhoven v Union Saint-Gilloise (17:45)

• Benfica v Qarabag

• Juventus v Borussia Dortmund

• Real Madrid v Marseille

• Tottenham v Villarreal - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

Kick-off times 20:00 BST unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

You can also listen to today's Radio 5 Live Champions League commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Athletic Bilbao v Arsenal" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Tottenham v Villarreal".

Watch highlights of every Champions League game from 22:00 on Wednesday on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website and app.

There will also be a Champions League Match of the Day on BBC One on Wednesday, from 22:40 to 00:00.

Tom McCoy
BBC Sport journalist

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It has been 923 days since Tottenham last played in a Champions League game - a meek goalless draw against AC Milan which resulted in a 1-0 aggregate defeat during the final few weeks of Antonio Conte's reign.

Spurs' squad has been drastically overhauled during the intervening two and a half years, with the club spending more than £300m on transfers under Ange Postecoglou and successor Thomas Frank.

Of the 11 players who began against Milan in 2023, only Cristian Romero - who was sent off against the Italians - is likely to start against Villarreal.

Ben Davies is still at the club but is yet to play this season, while Dejan Kulusevski is recovering from a long-term knee injury.

Meanwhile, players such as Micky van de Ven, Djed Spence, Guglielmo Vicario, Lucas Bergvall and Pape Matar Sarr could all make their Champions League debuts this evening.

Tottenham's starting XI v AC Milan on 8 March, 2003: Forster; Romero, Lenglet, Davies; Emerson Royal, Skipp, Hojbjerg, Perisic; Kulusevski, Son; Kane.

Image source, Getty Images

Tottenham midfielder Lucas Bergvall is looking forward to Spurs' return to the Champions League on Tuesday when Tottenham face Spanish side Villarreal.

It is a new challenge for the 19-year-old Swede, who is yet to play in the tournament.

Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Radio London, he said: "We have a great squad, a great team, great coaches, so I think we just need to keep going.

"We had a good start this season, with three wins and one loss. So we just need to keep going with the Champions League game now on Tuesday.

"I just want to keep going, keep wanting more, never happy. I just want to develop and get it better every day.

"It's a dream come true. Ever since I've been young, all I wanted to do was play in the Champions League so we just want to get out there and win games."

Ali Speechly
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

They say you should not fall in love with a loan player.

Too late. I am already head over heels for Joao Palhinha.

Criticised by some fans for not progressing the ball enough, Palhinha demonstrates a different, but equally integral skill set.

Indeed, without the Portugal international's impressive ability to disrupt the opposition and confidently regain possession, Spurs would not have as many opportunities to move the ball up the pitch - and certainly nowhere near the number they had against West Ham on Saturday.

Palhinha won more duels (10) and made more tackles (five) than any other player against the Hammers.

What gives Palhinha the edge over his opponents is his strong ability to read the game and correctly predict the movement of others. Footballing intelligence, if you like.

His smart positioning puts him in the right place at the right time, and his calm and careful approach means he makes skilful interceptions - unlike the one he was on the receiving end of from Tomas Soucek.

It is important to remember that positive play looks different depending on your role and responsibilities. Palhinha may not play 40-yard diagonal defence-splitting passes, but he will successfully regain possession and redistribute to a team-mate who can.

He will block and redirect the opposition, limiting their options and protecting the defenders behind him, significantly increasing his team's chances of keeping a clean sheet.

He will disrupt play so expertly and with such seeming effortlessness, that his importance in the team could go unnoticed by some.

Much has been made of our attacking options this season, and although Palhinha is not shy in front of goal - as he proved against Manchester City - his defensive attributes are arguably what make him the sort of player we have been missing the most.

Find more from Ali Speechly at Women Of The Lane, external and on Instagram, external

Image source, Getty Images

Chief football writer Phil McNulty has been answering your questions.

Harry asked: I'm not a Tottenham fan but their Champions League run is something which I am excited to see given how they gained entry. How do you rate their chances of getting through the league stages? Do you think the new leadership and signings are ready?

Phil answered: If I was a Spurs fan, I would be very excited by new manager Thomas Frank and the early signs have been very promising, apart from the home loss to Bournemouth.

They have some very tough games, especially a trip to holders Paris St-Germain, but they played well against them in the Super Cup final so there should be no fear.

I'll say definitely play-off at the very least.

Follow Phil's Q&A and the rest of the day's football news on our daily live page

Image source, Getty Images

Opta's supercomputer has ranked Tottenham as the 13th-most likely team to win this season's Champions League.

The model estimates the probability of each match outcome (win, draw or loss) by using betting market odds and Opta power rankings. Both these areas are based on historical and recent team performances and the computer runs 10,000 simulations to create its predictions.

Image source, Opta

The Europa League winners win the Champions League trophy in just 1.1% of simulations.

Despite having to face an away trip to last season's champions Paris St-Germain in the league phase, Spurs have been given the fourth-most favourable draw according to Opta's rankings.

If they reach the knockout phases, the supercomputer gives Thomas Frank's side a 22.9% chance of reaching the quarter-finals.

They go on to reach the semi-final in 8.5% of simulations and the final in 2.8%.

Having sacked Ange Postecoglou after their European success in May, it means new boss Thomas Frank manages in Europe's top club competition for the first time in his career.

Image source, Getty Images

Tottenham captain Cristian Romero has said he is "very happy" at the club and he "never" expressed his desire to leave, despite being heavily linked with a move to Atletico Madrid over the summer.

The 27-year-old Argentina centre-back had criticised the club's board for a lack of investment last season and posted a cryptic message supporting departing manager Ange Postecoglou and the "many obstacles" he overcame just an hour after Thomas Frank was appointed as his replacement.

However, Frank named Romero as his captain and he signed a new four-year deal in August to keep him at the club until 2029.

"I never said I wanted to leave the club," the World Cup winner said in a pre-match news conference before Spurs' Champions League opener against Villarreal on Tuesday.

"Nothing came from me in that effect. It is important what the manager and president say.

"I am very happy here, it is like a family. I like the manager. I like the way we work, the way we train. Always things can improve but I think everyone here at all levels are taking the right steps to improve. I am very happy here."

On the team's performances so far under Frank, Romero added: "We always focus on our jobs and our work. We have a great manager. We have a great defensive coach. We always want to improve.

"If you take Bournemouth out, we've done well. We do our best no matter who we are playing against. It is always about increasing our performance and looking to improve."

Tottenham boss Thomas Frank has been speaking to the media before Tuesday's Champions League game against Villarreal at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (20:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Frank confirmed Dominic Solanke is "not ready to be involved" but is "taking steps in the right direction so that's positive".

• Randal Kolo Muani is available: "If we needed him to play, he could play 90 minutes, but can he play at the intensity and the level that we want? But he's ready and he'll be involved, so that's the most important thing."

• On managing his first game in the Champions League, Frank said: "It's a fantastic opportunity and experience. It's a big thing. I'm hugely looking forward to it. I know it'll be special when we have that Champions League anthem playing. Now it's preparation, there's a few more cameras, but it's business as usual."

• More on his personal story: "I was manager of Brentford in the Championship at Griffin Park, a small, compact stadium, and on Tuesday we're playing in one of the best stadiums in the world, in front of our own fantastic fans. It's a European night and we know they'll be absolutely on it. It'll be so special."

• On how far can Spurs go in Europe: "I believe I have a fantastic squad and we would like to go as far as possible. I think the most important thing is that it's one game at a time."

• On the challenge posed by Tuesday's opponents: "Villarreal are a very good team. I've been very impressed when I've studied them, but we'll do everything we can to get a good start. It's going to be a good challenge."

Listen to live commentary of Spurs v Villarreal on Tuesday from 20:00 on BBC Radio 5 Live

Sami Mokbel
Senior football correspondent

Daniel Levy's impact on Tottenham's financial security and whether he underachieved during his tenure as executive chairman have been the subject of several questions sent in via our 'Ask about Tottenham' form'.

It cannot be disputed that Spurs are in a far stronger financial and infrastructural state thanks to Levy.

Forbes values Tottenham at $3.3bn (£2.25bn) - ranking them inside the top 10 most valuable clubs on the planet.

The stadium is the envy of the world, while the training ground is excellent - so much so that England use the facility when they are in town.

From that perspective, Levy's reign has been a resounding success.

Of course, football success, certainly for supporters, isn't measured on those parameters and the trophy haul under Levy's watch left plenty to be desired.

Two in nearly 25 years is a poor outcome for a club of Spurs' stature.

Levy's reputation for a reluctance to spend big in the transfer market is, for many, at the root of the club's on-pitch failures over the years. It is hard to absolve Levy of any blame.

Up until recently, his reluctance to meet Crystal Palace's conditions for Eberechi Eze saw Spurs lose out on the England international to Arsenal.

Of course, we don't know how much influence de facto owner Joe Lewis had on the apparent hesitancy to spend heavily on transfer fees. But to stay at the top, you have to push the boundaries of spending - Spurs, under Levy, didn't do that.

Will that change now with Levy gone and Lewis' involvement at Tottenham minimal? Well, the younger generation of the Lewis family, who will take the reins from Joe - the patriarch - are making all the right noises.

They say their priority is sporting success. Those are encouraging soundbites and if those promises are delivered then Tottenham could well compete for the top prizes.

As ever with these things, though, the proof will be in the pudding.

Ask Me Anything is a service dedicated to answering your questions.

We want to reward your time by telling you things you do not know and reminding you of things you do.

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We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between West Ham and Tottenham.

Here are some of your comments:

West Ham fans

Bill: Weak and naive and at the back, slow in midfield and our striker on the bench. It's hard to understand Graham Potter's tactics, let alone his strategy for the club. This is relegation form that has to change very quickly. Potter may be gone soon - his time is surely up?

Mark: Woeful defending for all three goals. Midfield are far to slow and no out-and-out attacker again. Potter hasn't a clue - time to get rid and get either Jose Mourinho or Nuno Espirito Santo in. But, the board won't do that because they like yes men.

Darren: I was optimistic about the appointment of Potter and wanted to give him time. But enough is enough - we are in a relegation battle. Our defensive frailties are clearly visible and he has no answers. Another dreadful performance, despite a bright first 20 minutes.

Dave: Another gutless, spineless performance under the direction of a clueless manager.

Spurs fans

Brian: Definite signs of improvement in this young squad with huge potential. Bergvall was a shining light, but so many positives to take from the game. Considering the injury list, players still getting up to fitness and learning the way Thomas Frank plays, I have high hopes for the team.

Matt: Positive early signs. Bit 'Spursy' in our result against Bournemouth but a good bounce back, especially after the international break. I feel we are starting to resemble a squad with depth. Lots of options for the season ahead.

Barry: When is a goal not a goal - when the correct decision is too difficult for the officials to have the courage to take it (this also applies to subsequent penalty appeal). But, justice was done.

Andy: Who'd have thought we would be set-piece specialists?! At the back, we really have two world-class centre-backs in Van de Ven and Romero; and, in midfield, it looks like our trio will be Palhinha, Sarr and Bergvall until Maddison comes back. However, there are still issues up front with none of the forwards scoring or looking like they are going to score. We don't have any natural finishers - even when Solanke comes back. Simons and Kudus look good on the flanks, but let's hope Kolo Muani in the middle is the answer.

Steve Sutcliffe
BBC Sport journalist

The first game of the post-Daniel Levy era could hardly have gone much better for Tottenham.

While the sudden departure of the Premier League's longest-serving chairman had placed scrutiny on the club's ownership and operations off the pitch at boardroom level, back on the pitch, Spurs responded with a professional display.

With the Lewis family represented in the stands by Vivienne Lewis and her son-in-law Nick Beucher and chief executive Vinai Venkatesham also present, there was a chance for influential figures to enjoy watching Frank's side control proceedings for long periods.

Had Van de Ven not hauled home defender Kyle Walker-Peters to the floor, they would have gone ahead from Cristian Romero's first-half header, which was ruled out for the infringement.

Mohammed Kudus, who was roundly booed each time he touched the ball on his return to the club he left in the summer provided a useful outlet down the Tottenham right.

However, Sweden midfielder Bergvall stole the show having been reintroduced to the side, playing several lovely passes and taking the responsibility of initiating numerous attacks.

The 19-year-old completed 89% of his passes and capped an excellent display with both a goal and an assist for Van de Ven.

Pundits Ashley Williams and Shay Given join host Mark Chapman to bring you the action and talking points from Saturday's Premier League fixtures.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

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• Newcastle 1-0 Wolves

• West Ham 0-3 Tottenham