Tottenham Hotspur kick off their 25/26 Champions League campaign as they host Spanish side Villarreal on Tuesday. Both sides return to Europe’s biggest stage after years away and will be eager to make a strong start in the group.
Two seasons later, the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium finally lights up for Champions League nights. It has been a long-awaited return and one that has been earned the hard way.
From getting knocked out in the round of 16 in the 22/23 season, to finishing fifth the following year, to then lifting the Europa League title last season, which ultimately secured Spurs a spot in the Champions League. That is Tottenham in a nutshell.
It has been a positive start to life under new manager Thomas Frank as well. Spurs currently sit third in the Premier League with three wins in four matches and trail Arsenal only on goal difference.
Despite going into the international break on a low after a poor 0-1 defeat to Bournemouth, they responded by beating West Ham 3-0 in East London, their first win there in six years.
The visitors, Villarreal, arrive in London in a very similar situation to Spurs, but in La Liga. They are fourth in the table with two wins, a draw, and a defeat from their opening four games.
They looked sharp in their opening two matches but dropped points with a 1-1 draw against Celta Vigo before losing 0-2 to Atletico Madrid before the international break.
This is also Villarreal’s first Champions League appearance since the 21/22 season, and after years of mid-table finishes and Europa League adventures, last season’s fifth place secured their return.
What time does Tottenham vs Villarreal kick off?
Location: London, England
Stadium: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Date: 17 September 2025
Kick off time: 8 pm BST
Referee: Rade Obrenovic
VAR: Alen Borosak
Tottenham Hotspur vs Villarreal: Head to head record
These two sides have faced each other only once before, fifteen years ago when Spurs were under Harry Redknapp. Villarreal won that friendly match 4-1.
Not a single player from either squad remains with the club today, which renders the previous meeting largely irrelevant for this contest.
Tottenham team news
Injury news will not have much relevance here since most of those sidelined were not included in the 22-man Champions League squad anyway. Dejan Kulusevski, James Maddison, Kota Takai, Radu Dragusin and Yves Bissouma are all out, while Dominic Solanke remains the closest to returning but is still expected to miss out with a short-term ankle injury.
Mathys Tel, who started the 3-0 win at West Ham, has also been omitted from Spurs’ squad for the competition.
Villarreal team news
The Spanish side will travel without Gerard Moreno, Logan Costa and Pau Cabanes, who are all out of contention.
Willy Kambwala is close to a return from a hamstring issue but remains doubtful for this fixture.
Predicted Tottenham line up
Vicario; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Spence; Bentancur, Simons, Bergvall; Kudus, Richarlison, Johnson
There is space for only one possible change in the back four. Djed Spence has been undroppable under Frank so far, and even if Destiny Udogie were to be included, it would likely be at left back with Spence shifting to the right in place of Pedro Porro.
Xavi Simons is expected to play centrally in the number ten role after drifting there naturally in the West Ham game despite being named as a number seven. That switch left the left wing free at times, which is why Brennan Johnson should start there, having come off the bench in that match.
Rodrigo Bentancur will likely keep his place after being an unused sub against West Ham, but there is a chance Frank might opt for Pape Sarr instead of Lucas Bergvall in midfield. Bergvall was impressive with a goal and an assist against West Ham, but Sarr has been the most consistent midfielder so far, and his form could earn him the nod.
Richarlison, despite not starting in East London, has been in good form with three goal contributions in three starts. That decision hinted at Frank saving him for this Champions League tie. However, expect Kolo Muani to make his Spurs debut off the bench in the second half to replace the Brazilian.
Our prediction
Despite both teams looking evenly matched in terms of recent form, Tottenham clearly have more quality across the pitch. The hunger and excitement to finally play Champions League football again will only fuel them further.
Xavi Simons is one to watch. He assisted on his Premier League debut without even being at his sharpest or in his natural position, and this occasion gives him the perfect stage to show more of his talent.
Another key man is Brennan Johnson. Known for showing up after a poor game and shushing the fans once he scores in the next; he underperformed against Bournemouth and so will be desperate to respond. Villarreal have been vulnerable at the back post, and that pretty explains everything.
Spurs have conceded just once in four league games and if they can hold off Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City, it will not be easy for Villarreal to break them down.
Predicted score: Tottenham 2-0 Villarreal