Conte must finally unleash "complete" £80k-p/w Spurs machine, he could terrify Villa - opinion

Tottenham Hotspur are gaining momentum in the race to finish in the top four of the Premier League this season, and Antonio Conte will no doubt fancy his team’s chances of doing so.

The north Londoners take on Aston Villa at Villa Park on Saturday evening, and while the Italian may be reluctant to make too many changes, if indeed any, he may consider bringing in Sergio Reguilon to offer a more natural balance on the left-hand side.

The Spaniard’s absence saw Matt Doherty operate on that flank in the 5-1 win over Newcastle United last week, with Emerson Royal playing on the right as the duo both ended up on the scoresheet in a comprehensive performance.

However, Conte offered a very encouraging update on Reguilon ahead of Spurs’ game against Villa on Saturday.

Speaking in his pre-match press conference, the 52-year-old said: “No new injuries, two good news because Ryan Sessegnon and Sergio Reguilon they had the training session with us.”

The Spaniard had been a permanent fixture in Tottenham’s line-up for the majority of the Premier League season, playing 23 matches in the top flight, scoring two goals and providing three assists in that time, even coming off the bench to find the net against Everton recently.

The 25-year-old’s ability to get forward is something that Conte has actively encouraged, with the left-back talking about the kind of job that the Spurs boss wants him to do.

Reguilon said: “I’ve never played five at the back before. I have to learn quickly. The gaffer has told me he wants me to be solid in defence but at the same moment I have to arrive in the box, help the strikers, score goals, give assists. Now I have more of a chance to score goals and give assists. So let’s work.”

Hailed as a “complete