Simons’ 2027 return leaves Tottenham short on the left against Villa

Xavi Simons is not expected back until 2027, while Wilson Odobert and Mykhailo Mudryk are listed for potential November 2026 returns. All three are set to miss Tottenham Hotspur’s next match, at home to Aston Villa on Saturday 17 October, leaving Roberto De Zerbi short of left-wing options for the immediate test and beyond.

Spurs Web reports that Simons and Odobert are sidelined with knee injuries, while Mudryk has an ankle injury. Their return dates are provisional. Simons’ absence is the longest-running concern: he is not expected back before the January transfer window has passed.

De Zerbi’s current choices have not all provided the same answer. Mathys Tel has not taken the opportunities he has received, according to Spurs Web, while the manager used Savio on the left at Old Trafford and the Brazilian impressed. That gives Tottenham an option against Villa, but one strong display does not settle the position for a stretch of matches.

There are other availability concerns around the squad. Spurs Web lists Dejan Kulusevski as working towards fitness with a return described as “soon”, and gives Pedro Porro a potential October comeback after a hamstring injury. Those timelines add uncertainty to De Zerbi’s choices, even as the immediate shortage is on the wing.

Tottenham are reportedly assessing Newcastle United’s Bazoumana Toure, but a January move would be complicated. CaughtOffside, cited by Spurs Web, reports that Tottenham and Aston Villa have watched the 20-year-old and liked his pace and one-on-one ability. Toure arrived from Hoffenheim for £42m in the summer and has scored twice in five appearances in all competitions. In the Premier League, he has one goal in four appearances, with 80 minutes played as of 15 October — a small early sample, not yet a settled record in England.

Manchester United and Arsenal also remain interested after exploring a move before Toure joined Newcastle, the report says. No formal approach has been made, and Newcastle are relaxed about his future with his contract running until 2031.

The financial case for a January deal is just as difficult. Tottenham paid a club-record £100m for Sandro Tonali and their summer outlay was listed at £394m. Spurs Web says multiple reports point to a more restrained January focused on value-for-money additions. For now, De Zerbi’s answer has to come from his squad: Savio is the immediate option, while Simons’ extended absence makes the left-wing problem more than a one-match issue.