The forward is expected to replace the injured Dominic Solanke in the Tottenham XI against Aston Villa.
West Ham’s defeat to Brentford on Saturday has provided the mathematical boost Tottenham Hotspur needed before their game at Aston Villa. Spurs remain in the relegation zone and have spent the vast majority of the calendar year there, but they have a glorious chance of getting out of it by winning the game on Sunday.
Roberto De Zerbi faces a selection dilemma heading into the Aston Villa fixture. He has lost Xavi Simons to an ACL injury, while Dominic Solanke faces a battle to return before the season conqcludes after suffering a hamstring injury against Wolves last time out. The Tottenham boss has to find solutions in attack, and he hinted in his press conference towards starting a front three of Richarlison, Mathys Tel and Randal Kolo Muani.
Richarlison, in particular, has split opinions of the Tottenham fanbase over whether he should be starting or not, but one cannot deny the fact that he happens to be the club’s top scorer this season with 10 strikes in all competitions (15 G/A overall). De Zerbi brought the Brazilian on in the first half against Wolves after Solanke was forced off with injury, and he helped Spurs earn their first win of 2026.
Roberto De Zerbi makes telling admission on Richarlison
Richarlison appears to be the most likely option to replace centre-forward Solanke in the Spurs starting XI. With his physicality, closing down and aerial ability, the 28-year-old gives a different dimension to Tottenham’s attack than Solanke. He may not be technically sound and great at link-up play, but the qualities he brings on and off the ball make the Brazilian a total pest for the defenders.
De Zerbi has called Richarlison a “sensitive and pure guy”, insisting that the Tottenham players create conditions for him to score goals. He wasn’t pleased with the second-half display against Wolves and wants his team to improve in certain aspects of the play.
“Richarlison is a great guy because he is a sensitive guy, I like him as a player and as a man. What he thinks you can understand immediately from his face, or his eyes. It’s pure,” De Zerbi said in his press conference (h/t Football London).
“We have to put him in the right condition to score. I want to put all the attackers in the right condition to attack the space, to shoot, to go one-to-one, to play between the lines, and to make the assists. In the second half at Wolves, we didn’t.”
Richarlison has to deliver the goods
The responsibility of leading the Tottenham attack should ideally fall on Richarlison’s shoulders now. He has been involved in relegation battles with Everton and is experienced enough to handle such a situation.
The most important thing now is to keep himself fit. Injuries have plagued the Brazilian international’s N17 career, preventing him from taking his game to another level. If he stays fit, Richarlison could become a key player in the club’s survival bid. A goal against Villa would lift his confidence levels.