Tottenham Hotspur vs Villarreal, Champions League team news and preview

Tottenham Hotspur will host Villarreal in their opening 2025/26 UEFA Champions League group stage match on Tuesday, September 17, 2025, at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, with kickoff scheduled for 8 pm BST. The match marks the return of both clubs to the Champions League after several seasons away.

Tottenham secured their place in the competition by winning the Europa League the previous season, following a period of mixed domestic results including a round of 16 exit in the 2022/23 Champions League and a fifth-place Premier League finish in 2023/24. Under new manager Thomas Frank, Spurs have made a strong start to the current Premier League season, sitting third with three wins from four matches, though they recently suffered a 1-0 loss to Bournemouth before responding with a 3-0 victory over West Ham.

Villarreal, similarly returning to the Champions League for the first time since the 2021/22 season after finishing fifth in La Liga last year, currently sits fourth in the domestic league with two wins, one draw, and one loss from their opening four matches. They enter the match following a 1-1 draw with Celta Vigo and a 2-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid.

The two sides have met only once before, a friendly 15 years ago which Villarreal won 4-1, though no players from either squad remain at their respective clubs today.

In terms of team news, Tottenham will be without several key players including Dejan Kulusevski, James Maddison, Kota Takai, Radu Dragusin, Yves Bissouma, and Mathys Tel, while Dominic Solanke is also expected to miss out due to an ankle injury. Villarreal will travel without Gerard Moreno, Logan Costa, and Pau Cabanes, with Willy Kambwala also doubtful due to a hamstring issue.

The predicted starting lineup for Tottenham includes Vicario in goal; a defense of Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, and Spence; a midfield of Bentancur, Simons, and Bergvall; and an attacking trio of Kudus, Richarlison, and Johnson. The match will be officiated by referee Rade Obrenovic with Alen Borosak serving as VAR.