---
title: "Engels in contention to start against Spurs"
canonical: "https://readastonvilla.com/2020/02/15/engels-in-contention-to-start-against-spurs/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Abdullah Mulla"
section: "Aston Villa News"
published: "2020-02-15T21:00:00Z"
modified: "2026-09-03T11:43:23Z"
---

# Engels in contention to start against Spurs

Aston Villa centre-back Bjorn Engels is set to return to the team’s starting XI this weekend, as reported by the [Birmingham Mail](https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/aston-villa-bjorn-engels-tottenham-17746963).

Dean Smith’s side will come up against Jose Mourinho’s Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday at Villa Park.

As stated in[the report](https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/aston-villa-bjorn-engels-tottenham-17746963), Engels’ last league start came in December against Southampton, before he was dropped for Ezri Konsa.

However, he is now expected to return to the starting team as part of a back three for Villa.

### READ ASTON VILLA VERDICT

The summer-signing fell ill towards the end of 2019 and missed some matches because of that, but he was [called upon during Villa’s last league match](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/51246500) against Bournemouth as he came on for the second half, replacing Konsa.

Manager[Smith confirmed](https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/aston-villa-bjorn-engels-tottenham-17746963) that Engels didn’t do anything wrong to lose his place, rather that his illness came at a bad time for him which is why he found himslef on the sidelines during the busy festive period.

We feel that the 25-year-old is a reliable option in defence because, as stated on the[Premier League’s official website](https://www.premierleague.com/players/12199/Bj%C3%B6rn-Engels/stats), he has not made any errors that he resulted in an opposition goal this season.

We also believe that he deserves a place in the team ahead of Konsa because he has made[76 clearances](https://www.premierleague.com/players/12199/Bj%C3%B6rn-Engels/stats) this season, whilst Konsa has [only made 38.](https://www.premierleague.com/players/13274/Ezri-Konsa-Ngoyo/stats)