The three crucial clashes that could decide Spurs’ fate … and the Premier League title

Get excited. That’s the message from Ange Postecoglou to Tottenham fans after his team battered Aston Villa 4-0, cutting the gap to their top-four rivals to just two points.

“Get excited, why not?” Postecoglou told Sky Sports after the game.

“The supporters, if they don’t get excited by a performance and result like that, in what was a significant game … you’ve got to enjoy that.”

Spurs still have a game in hand on their rivals – with the Australian’s side having 11 matches to play this season.

While the top three teams – Arsenal, Liverpool, and Manchester City – are 11 or 10 points in front of fifth-placed Tottenham, the major aim for the remainder of the season is to finish fourth and thereby guarantee Champions League qualification for next season.

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Postecoglou, in his trademark humorous fashion, said this week that qualifying for the showpiece continental competition would not be “a Willy Wonka golden ticket” for his club.

“What’s more important is that come the end of this year, we’ve got a team that’s going to challenge the following year and keep growing.

“Mate, it’s not a Willy Wonka golden ticket, you know? It just gets you a year in the Champions League. But if you don’t build on that or grow from that, it is meaningless. Because we’re not in it for participation. We’re in it to win things.”

Qualifying for the Champions League delivers a huge financial boost, but also makes signing players easier, given the competition is a significant drawcard for players.

As Postecoglou develops his team with the clear aim of winning the Premier League next season, Champions League qualification is clearly