Ange Postecoglou's first season at Tottenham is on the way to ending in a whimper with just three Premier League games left to play. A superb start was marred by a plethora of injuries midway through the season and a difficult fixture run-in towards the end has seen Spurs lose their last four games, conceding 13 goals in the process.

Even with the string of poor results, Tottenham have remained fifth on 60 points, however those around them have made great strides. Fourth-placed Aston Villa are now on 67 points which means the Lilywhites will need a miracle to achieve Champions League football for next season.

There is also some concern that Chelsea and Newcastle, despite being four and six points behind respectively, could pip them to the two Europa League spots. While Spurs have won one just once in their last five, in that time, both Chelsea and Newcastle have suffered just one defeat.

Thankfully for Postecoglou, the challenging fixtures are mostly over with games against Burnley and Sheffield United to come. However, a clash against Manchester City arrives in between. With their final position likely to remain fifth, Spurs actually could end up having a bigger say on the relegation battle and title race than they do on European qualification.

With that said, football.london has taken a look at what a dream end to the season would look like for Tottenham and Postecoglou.

Richarlison boost

Even though Tottenham were 4-0 down against Liverpool upon his introduction, Spurs looked much better once Richarlison came on. After starting against Chelsea earlier that week, the Brazil international was back on the bench for the trip to Anfield with his match fitness still being worked on.

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In just five minutes though, Richarlison grabbed a goal before setting up Son Heung-min to make the scoreline less embarrassing. With Postecoglou regularly making changes in an attempt to find a solution to Tottenham's recent woes, Richarlison, based on that cameo, should be a constant in the final few games.

If he can get back to the levels shown earlier this year, when he scored nine goals in eight games, then Spurs will have no problem securing a Europa League qualification spot. Despite a good season, there has been talk of a Richarlison departure this summer with a number of Saudi Pro League clubs interested.

Given the money often involved in those deals, it would be stupid for Spurs not to consider accepting an offer if a lucrative one arrives. Having signed the 26-year-old from Everton for £60million, flipping for any profit would likely be considered a good move and a few more goals this month could certainly help raise his stock if Spurs ultimately decide to sell.

Postecoglou solves issue

It could be argued that one of Micky van de Ven or Cristian Romero have been Tottenham's best player this season but the last few weeks have proven that award belongs to Destiny Udogie. The Italy international was ruled out for the remainder of the season in the week leading up to the North London Derby and Spurs simply have not looked the same without him.

Ben Davies started that defeat to Arsenal before injury struck him which saw Emerson Royal come into the starting XI. Earlier on in the season, Udogie dealt with both Bukayo Saka and Mohamed Salah as well as anyone, but the two wingers got serious joy from Tottenham's two reserve left-backs in the reverse fixtures.

Particularly against Liverpool, Royal endured a horrendous game which saw him hooked off on the hour-mark with Oliver Skipp drafted in as an inverted left-back. Even though the game was lost, Skipp certainly looked capable in the position which may have given Postecoglou some inspiration.

While also needing to defend, the player in that role is vital to how Spurs build up the pitch and thus starting a midfielder there may not be the worst idea. Giovani Lo Celso - who has also been endorsed by Cristian Romero - is probably the best fit, given his preferred foot, however Dejan Kulusevski and Bryan Gil are other options.

Either way it is an issue that Postecoglou needs to solve quickly if Spurs hope to achieve maximum points from their final three games.

Liverpool assist

As Tottenham are seven points behind Aston Villa, they will need some help in securing that final Champions League spot. Unai Emery's side only have two games left to play with a home clash against Liverpool coming next Monday evening.

By that point, Villa may already know that their spot is secured but only if Spurs do not beat Burnley. The day after Villa host Jurgen Klopp's side, Tottenham take on Manchester City with the best-case scenario after that game being Spurs are just one point behind Villa.

That would of course require Liverpool to win at Villa Park and Spurs pick up two consecutive wins, but it is certainly not something that is out of the question. On the final day, both teams close out the season away from home and it is Spurs who have the favourable fixture.

While Villa head to Selhurst Park to face a Crystal Palace team unbeaten in five having scored 11 goals in their last three home games, Spurs visit already-relegated Sheffield United. Off the back of defeat to Brighton, if Villa are unable to bounce back against Liverpool, the Lilywhites know they could be in with a great chance of securing fourth-spot on the final day after all.

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