Dean Smith says he is excited but also a little nervous at the prospect of facing UEFA Champions League finalists Tottenham Hotspur at the north Londoners’ new stadium on the opening weekend of Aston Villa’s Premier League return.
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Promoted via the playoffs last month, Villa will have to hit the ground running when they visit Mauricio Pochettino's side in their first fixture on Saturday 10 August.
"My first thought was that it was a mouthwatering, exciting start, but with a little bit of trepidation as well – the Champions League finalists from last season," Smith told Villa’s official website.
"But it was to be expected. We've given ourselves the opportunity to play these games now, and we'll try and be as competitive as we can.
"I'm looking forward to every game, none more so than going to a ground I've never been to and that Aston Villa fans have never been to, first up.
"The fixtures bring it from imagination to reality a little bit more."
