Xisco Munoz may have become the first Premier League manager to be sacked this season, but the former Watford boss was thought to be behind both Steve Bruce and Nuno Espirito Santo in the sack race.

Nuno has come under fire following Tottenham’s three consecutive defeats in the Premier League and the manner of his side’s performance in the north London derby.

He said this week: “The criticism is normal. Everybody knows how this industry works. When you don’t play good, when you don’t perform and results don’t go your way, criticism is something you have to deal with. We understand it and it’s up to us to react and change it.

“I’m not worried about the judgement. What I’m worried about is how we can play better. The judgement, the criticism and the opinion is all part of the game and we have to deal with that. That doesn’t interfere with the way we work. It can only distract us. My focus is on how we can improve.”

We’re set for a battle of England strikers today, as Harry Kane faces Ollie Watkins before joining up with Gareth Southgate’s England squad for the upcoming October internationals.

Watkins has yet to hit the target this season but Southgate has been impressed enough with the 25-year-old’s performances to include the striker in his 23-man group. Watkins certainly carried a threat in Villa’s away displays at Chelsea and United, and should have really got on the scoresheet.

Kane, on the other hand, is also looking for his first goal of the Premier League season but was boosted by his hat-trick in the Europa Conference League in midweek.

Meanwhile, Danny Ings will be out to prove that his England days are not over. The former Southampton striker scored in each of his first two appearances for Villa in August but is yet to hit the net since.

Spurs were simply overran in midfield at the Emirates last weekend with Nuno Espirito Santo coming in for considerable criticism for how much space Arsenal were allowed in central areas.

Nuno has shuffled his pack and has fielded a new three-man line-up today, with Hojbjerg, Skipp and Ndombele playing together for the first time this season.

The Portuguese will be looking for better balance and the stability that Hojbjerg and Skipp provided in those early victories – while Ndombele will look to carry the ball forward and link up with Tottenham’s attackers that were often left isolated at the Emirates.

Three changes for Tottenham from last weekend’s 3-1 defeat to Arsenal, with Emerson Royal, Cristian Romero and Oliver Skipp in for Japhet Tanganga, Davinson Sanchez and Dele Alli.

Aston Villa are unchanged from their 1-0 win at Manchester United, with Kortney Hause keeping his place after scoring a late winner last weekend.

Tottenham: Lloris; Emerson, Romero, Dier, Reguilon; Hojbjerg, Skipp, Ndombele; Lucas, Kane, Son

Aston Villa: Martinez; Konsa, Hause, Mings; Cash, McGinn, Douglas Luiz, J.Ramsey, Targett; Ings, Watkins

Some news regarding Tottenham’s Bryan Gil: The 20-year-old has been called up to Luis Enrique’s Spain squad for the October internationals as an injury replacement for Marcos Llorente.

Tottenham have no fresh injury concerns heading into this one, but it is a matter of selection decisions for Nuno. Japhet Tanganga, Eric Dier and Dele Alli all had extremely difficult games at the Emirates last weekend so they could be replaced by Emerson Royal, Cristian Romero and Oliver Skipp.

Axel Tuanzebe looks set to return to the Aston Villa squad but is not expected to force his way into the starting line-up following Smith’s side’s impressive defensive display at Old Trafford. Villa are still without Trezeguet, Leon Bailey, Morgan Sanson and Keinan Davis due to injuries.