Exactly two weeks after the World Cup final between France and Argentina, Hugo Lloris has regained a starting spot at Tottenham to face Aston Villa this Sunday. Emiliano Martinez is a substitute.
There won’t really be a reunion. Two weeks after the World Cup final won by Argentina against the Blues (3-3, 4-2 tab), Hugo Lloris returns to Tottenham’s starting lineup this Sunday against Aston Villa (3 p.m.) , for the 18th day of the Premier League. He took his place on the bench Monday at Brentford (2-2).
A handshake
On the side of Aston Villa, the Swede Robin Olsen was preferred to Emiliano Martinez, executioner of the France team during the penalty shootout in the final of the World Cup. He only returned to Birmingham on Thursday and resumed training on Friday after celebrating his team’s title for several days, with several controversies.
He stood out in his country through a series of provocations and excesses. And his coach at Aston Villa Unai Emery did not hide his doubts about the psychological state of his goalkeeper this week: « I will speak with him because I want him to control his emotions. We must have values, we must Watching our behavior when we are together and facing the players of the opposite team. »
Before kick-off, in the hallway of the stadium, Martinez approached Lloris and the two men exchanged a handshake.
Another player in the world cup final, the Argentine defender of Tottenham Cristian Romero, starts alongside Clément Lenglet and Ben Davies. Pointed to fifth place in the Premier League, the Spurs need a victory to get closer to the podium. Aston Villa are 12th at kick-off.