Tottenham vs Aston Villa FA Cup: Free TV, Stream, Team News

Key Points

Tottenham Hotspur welcome Aston Villa to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in North London for the FA Cup third round on Saturday, January 10, 2026, with kick-off at 17:45 GMT.
Spurs manager Thomas Frank faces mounting pressure after a 3-2 defeat to Bournemouth on January 7, 2026, where players including Micky van de Ven, Pedro Porro, and Joao Palhinha confronted frustrated away fans post-match.
Another loss could end Tottenham’s realistic silverware hopes this season, despite faint Champions League qualification chances.
Aston Villa, managed by Unai Emery, sit third in the Premier League and view the FA Cup as a chance to end a 69-year trophy drought in the competition (last win 1957), though Europa League and top-three push may take priority.
In the UK, the match airs live for free on BBC One (coverage from 17:30) and via BBC iPlayer/BBC Sport website; TNT Sports 1 (from 17:00) and Discovery+ for subscribers.
Tottenham have advanced from 18 of their last 19 FA Cup third-round ties but lost two of the last three against Villa, including 2-1 in last season’s fourth round.
Villa have won their last three meetings with Spurs across all competitions, including a 2-1 Premier League win at Tottenham in October 2025.
Spurs injuries: James Maddison (ACL), Dominic Solanke (ankle), Dejan Kulusevski (knee), Mohammed Kudus (thigh), Rodrigo Bentancur (hamstring), Lucas Bergvall (muscle), Destiny Udogie (thigh, fitness test); Yves Bissouma and Pape Matar Sarr on AFCON duty.
Villa absences: Emiliano Martinez (calf), Amadou Onana (thigh), Ross Barkley (knee), Evann Guessand (AFCON); Pau Torres and Tyrone Mings assessed.
Previews favour Villa slightly, with predictions like 1-2 (Sports Mole, Spurs Web) due to Spurs’ leaky defence and Villa’s form.

North London (North London News) January 10, 2026 – Tottenham Hotspur face Aston Villa in a high-stakes FA Cup third-round clash at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this evening, broadcast live for free across UK television channels. Manager Thomas Frank’s side arrives in turmoil following a dramatic 3-2 Premier League defeat at Bournemouth, where players confronted angry supporters, intensifying scrutiny on the Danish coach’s position.

Contents

Key Points
What Led to Turmoil at Tottenham?
How Can Fans Watch for Free?
Why Do Aston Villa Enter as Favourites?
What Are the Team News and Lineups?
What Is at Stake for Both Sides?

What Led to Turmoil at Tottenham?

Tottenham’s recent form has plunged into crisis, marked by a 3-2 loss to Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium on January 7, 2026. As detailed by Chosun Ilbo sports reporter, Spurs took an early lead through Mathieu Tel in the 5th minute after a backheel pass from Xavi Simons, but conceded twice before half-time via Evanilson and Junior Kuvi from set-pieces. Antoine Semenyo’s 95th-minute winner sealed the defeat, prompting ugly post-match scenes where Micky van de Ven, Pedro Porro, and Joao Palhinha clashed with travelling fans, as captured in footage reported by Evening Standard.

Joao Palhinha told Sky Sports post-match,

“It was just the supporters sharing their frustration. We of course understand, we respect, first of all”.

Thomas Frank, speaking in the press conference as quoted by Chosun Ilbo, said he “did not see” the clashes, adding,

“Today was a painful day for everyone. However, we ran really hard to go in the right direction. Especially in the second half, we should have gained more”.

This leaves Spurs 14th in the Premier League with 27 points from 21 games, their form reading L L W D D L across competitions.

Frank, appointed in June 2025 after Ange Postecoglou’s sacking despite a Europa League triumph, signed a three-year deal from Brentford, as reported by Al Jazeera. Postecoglou’s dismissal followed a 17th-place finish, per The Athletic. Frank now fights to salvage the season, with fans irked further by his spotted coffee cup bearing an Arsenal logo at Bournemouth.

How Can Fans Watch for Free?

UK viewers have multiple free options for the 17:45 GMT kick-off. As reported by Evening Standard journalists, the game airs live on BBC One with coverage starting at 17:30, and free streaming via BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport website. TNT Sports 1 begins at 17:00, with subscribers accessing Discovery+ app/website streams.

Spurs Web confirmed BBC One, TNT Sports 1/2, BBC iPlayer, TNT Sports 9, BBC Sport website, and Discovery+ as UK platforms. GOAL noted TNT Sports for UK, emphasising VPN use abroad like NordVPN for access. Internationally, options vary: ESPN+ in the US (12:45 ET), Stan Sport in Australia, SonyLIV/Sony Sports in India (23:15 IST).

Why Do Aston Villa Enter as Favourites?

Aston Villa arrive in strong form under Unai Emery, third in the Premier League level on points with Manchester City but behind Arsenal. They drew 0-0 at Crystal Palace midweek—their first draw since September—missing a chance for 45 points from 21 games, a historic mark, as previewed by Sports Mole. Their form: W W W L W D.

Emery transformed Villa since November 2022, turning early struggles into a title challenge, just three points off leaders Arsenal after 10 wins in 11 league games earlier, per Flashscore. Emery said post-Palace, as cited by Sports Mole, he was satisfied with a “fantastic” point. Villa eye the FA Cup to end a 1957 drought (seven wins total), having won their last two third-round ties after seven early exits.

They dominate recent head-to-heads, winning the last three: 2-1 Premier League at Spurs in October 2025, plus two FA Cup ties including last season’s fourth-round 2-1. Morgan Rogers stars with five goal involvements in four Spurs games. Previews like Sports Mole predict 1-2 Villa win, citing Spurs’ defence.

What Are the Team News and Lineups?

Tottenham’s injury crisis deepens: Rodrigo Bentancur (hamstring from Bournemouth), Lucas Bergvall (muscle), Mohammed Kudus (thigh to March), Destiny Udogie (thigh, test), Dominic Solanke (ankle), Dejan Kulusevski (knee), James Maddison (ACL); Bissouma/Sarr on AFCON; Cristian Romero suspended. Sports Mole suggests: Kinsky; Spence, Danso, Van de Ven, Davies; Palhinha, Gray; Kolo Muani, Simons, Tel; Richarlison.

Villa miss Emiliano Martinez (calf), Amadou Onana (thigh), Ross Barkley (knee), Guessand (AFCON); Torres/Mings assessed; January signing Alisson debut possible. Projected: Bizot; Garcia, Konsa, Torres, Digne; Bogarde, Tielemans; McGinn, Rogers, Sancho; Malen.

Spurs boast third-round pedigree (18/19 advances), but Villa’s momentum prevails. The Boy Hotspur called it a “tough test” for Frank, with Villa slight favourites.

What Is at Stake for Both Sides?

For Tottenham, defeat spells early cup exit and potential end to silverware dreams, per original Evening Standard report [query]. Champions League remains mathematically possible but distant. Frank needs a first 2026 win to ease pressure.

Villa balance FA Cup with Europa League (vs Fenerbahce, Salzburg) and league games (Everton, Newcastle, Brentford), but Emery eyes progression. Success ends third-round hoodoo remnants and exploits Spurs’ woes. Head-to-head history (Spurs 79 wins, Villa 63, 36 draws in 178) promises goals—six of last seven over 2.5.