Tottenham vs Villarreal

Tottenham player ratings vs Villarreal: Spurs get away with it! Calamitous own goal settles Champions League return as Thomas Frank's side survive scintillating threat of ex-Arsenal man Nicolas Pepe

Tottenham opened their 2025-26 Champions League campaign with a 1-0 victory at home to Villarreal, but they didn't have things their own way as they edged to a narrow opening-night win. Thomas Frank made his debut as a coach in Europe's top club competition and will be relieved that his side took the three points, but he will know there is work to do if they are to progress from the league phase.

Thomas Partey 'mentally prepared' to face Tottenham in Champions League for Villarreal before court hearing to answer rape charges

Villarreal boss Marcelino insists Thomas Partey is 'mentally prepared' to face Tottenham Hotspur in the Champions League on Tuesday, just 24 hours before the midfielder appears in court over multiple rape charges. The former Arsenal star denies all allegations but will line up against his old rivals in north London before attending his plea hearing at Southwark Crown Court.