Tottenham blew the chance to open up a gap in fourth place(Image: George Wood/Getty Images)

Tottenham next five Premier League fixtures compared to Aston Villa after Newcastle blow

Tottenham news as Ange Postecoglou's side let a big chance to move clear of Aston VIlla slip by in a horror show 4-0 defeat against Newcastle

13 Apr 2024, 13:58 by Tom Coley · football.london

Tottenham let their grip on fourth place go as they passed up the chance to move clear of Aston Villa in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon. Not only did Ange Postecoglou's side fail to put their Champions League-seeking rivals under pressure ahead of their visit to Arsenal, the goal difference advantage was also wiped out.

Spurs suffered yet another damaging first half at St James' Park in which serious questions will once more be asked. The head coach was unable to rouse a reaction from his side after the break either with Eddie Howe's side once more running riot.

Postecoglou had admitted beforehand that he hadn't watched the game back but he need not have bothered. The heavy defeat in the northeast made it a shocking 10-1 joint scoreline in the last two visits.

Luckily for Spurs, there are still six games to go, but the manner of the loss against Newcastle raised a very slight chance of Manchester United gatecrashing the top five. Add in defeats for both Liverpool and West Ham in Europe in midweek and the fifth space heading into the Champions League is far from certain too.

Here, football.london analyses the upcoming games for each of the Champions League-chasers.

Arsenal (H) – Sunday, April 28

The best chance to hit back and respond or the worst-case scenario? The North London Derby is always firey but this one has enormous repercussions for the top of the table.

Arsenal can scant afford to drop any points in the race for the title and if fifth place is to be lost for Champions League qualification then Spurs have little leeway themselves. It's all set up to be one of the best meetings in years, and that is truly saying something.

Tottenham can point towards using emotion better than their fierce rivals, but when seasons are on the line it will ask new questions of characters. Villa will be eyeing up creating a buffer when they take on Arsenal on Sunday, and can also look ahead to this game as source of hope that fourth is now theirs to lose.

Chelsea (A) - Tuesday, May 2

Just in case things weren't hard enough. The reverse fixture was one of the most manic games of the season so far. Even if on paper Chelsea are truly a mid-table side, there is nothing predictable about them.

In north London they demonstrated the ability to play through high-pressing sides and have since backed that up with strong results against Manchester City, Arsenal, and Newcastle. Postecoglou will need to remedy the issues that plagued his side in October when taking on Mauricio Pochettino in a repeat of the Battle of the Bridge.

Liverpool (A) – Friday, May 5

Tottenham's tough run goes on towards the end of the season. They managed to beat Liverpool in the reverse fixture but that was shrouded in controversy with VAR.

This time around there are much bigger narratives at play. Spurs are one of three sides dubbed king-makers due to their fixtures against each of the top three, but that only makes their challenge to finish fourth a much tougher one.

Liverpool will offer a serious problem for Postecoglou and the Anfield factor is sure to play a part here as well. Much like the clashes with Chelsea and Arsenal to come, it should be entertaining but chaotic.

Burnley (H) – Saturday, May 11

Burnley will surely pose less of a threat. Vincent Kompany's side are putting up a late fight but it has come with the clock and the table well against them.

They are still comfortably adrift of 17th place and even solidifying their defence hasn't managed to change the fortunes. Tottenham will have a huge chance to get three points here no matter how the other matches against much stronger opposition go.

Manchester City (H) - Sunday, May 14

From the easiest game left for Spurs to possibly the hardest. Even with a strong record against Pep Guardiola's side in recent years, this is not the sort of game that is ideal in a key run-in.

City, once more, have much bigger ambitions and will be pushing hell for leather to lift the title once more. They were unable to win during the crazy 3-3 draw when the two sides met in December but had a clear warning sent.

Aston Villa

Arsenal (A) – Sunday, April 14

Bournemouth (H) – Sunday, April 21

Chelsea (H) - Saturday, April 27

Brighton (A) - Saturday, May 4

Liverpool (H) - Saturday, May 11

Manchester United

Bournemouth (A) – Saturday, April 13

Sheffield United (H) – April 24

Burnley (H) – Saturday, April 27

Crystal Palace (A) - Saturday, May 6

Arsenal (H) - Saturday, May 11

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