Thomas Frank: Tottenham to 'go full strength' vs Villa in FA Cup clash

Spurs lifted silverware last season despite finishing 17th in the Premier League, but that success was not enough to save coach Ange Postecoglou. 

Frank, his successor, is now under growing pressure himself after winning 11 of his first 30 matches in charge and just four of the last 16. The head coach believes a strong cup run can make a real difference.

"I'm very, very aware that a cup run will be fantastic," Frank said. "So we will do everything we can to win the game and progress to the next round and to install belief. We will go full strength, all in. We want to win both the game and the tournament."

Tottenham come into the tie after taking only two points from their last three league matches against Brentford, Sunderland and Bournemouth. Frank knows results are the only way to calm the growing frustration among supporters. "I'm very aware where we are right now," he said. "I think it's fair to say that not many are happy. I know where we want to go and then we need to be judged at the end of the season."

Spurs will again have to cope without key players. Cristian Romero is suspended after receiving an additional one-match ban for failing to leave the pitch promptly following his red card against Liverpool last month. Mohamed Kudus, Lucas Bergvall and Rodrigo Bentancur are also unavailable through injury.

Despite the noise around the club, Frank was clear about his ambition at Tottenham. "That's impossible at Tottenham," he said when asked if the club should accept mid-table finishes. "I didn't just come to this club to finish 14th or 10th, eighth, sixth, fourth, third, second. We want to build something that can be very successful over time."

The FA Cup now offers a chance for respite before a crucial Premier League clash with West Ham next Saturday. Frank hopes progress can restore belief, but Aston Villa arrive in North London in strong form and with around 9,000 travelling fans, ensuring Tottenham face another intense and high-pressure afternoon.