Hugo Lloris not worried that Borussia Dortmund defeat will affect Tottenham's title charge

Hugo Lloris believes mental toughness will ensure Tottenham keep their title challenge on track after Thursday's heavy defeat to Borussia Dortmund.

Mauricio Pochettino's men conceded three goals for the first time this season at the Westfalenstadion and the Europa League loss means Spurs are now three games without a win.

Pochettino's men travel to bottom-of-the-table Aston Villa on Sunday, looking to recover confidence and form in the league, where they currently sit second in the table, five points behind Leicester.

"After a game like Dortmund you feel very far from the top teams in Europe," Lloris said. "But I'm not worried about the weekend. I know we're going to bounce back.

"It's important to recover well for all the players who were on the pitch today, and we will all be ready for the game on Sunday which is maybe the most important. I know the quality, the skill, the mentality of the team. Dortmund is just the story of one game.

"Of course we can question ourselves a bit but not too much because the league is very important, we are in a good position and we need to do everything we can to stay in this position."

In a clear indication of the importance he places on the league, Pochettino left Harry Kane and Mousa Dembele on the bench against Dortmund, while Ryan Mason, Tom Carroll and 18-year-old Josh Onomah were all handed starts.

Lloris, however, would not be drawn on the starting line-up in Germany.

"This is a question for the manager," Lloris said. "When you are a player you are always ready no matter which player, which team, which tactics, it's just football and your mind is always ready to compete but after, at this level against a team like that, we need more.

"I want to play more games like tonight and for that you need to play Champions League."

Dele Alli, who was suspended against Dortmund, and Danny Rose, who is nursing a sore calf and was left at home, could both return this weekend.

Villa have won only once in their last eight league matches and are currently nine points adrift of safety.

Tottenham midfielder Mason said: "Sunday is a massive game now for us. We haven't won in our last two league games so hopefully we can get back to a win.

"It (the Dortmund defeat) is disappointing but there are characters in the squad that means Sunday won't be a problem."

In a dominant display, Dortmund had 20 shots to Tottenham's three and the only surprise was that the German side did not win by a bigger margin.

Marco Reus scored twice and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang once to leave Spurs' hopes of making the quarter-finals hanging by a thread.

"Obviously it was a difficult game," Mason added. "They're a top side, one of the best teams in Europe and I think you could see that.

"We couldn't really get near them, we were outplayed and 3-0 was probably kind on our half.

"It was obviously disappointing, the manner of the defeat. We didn't really get our style and philosophy across. We have to take it on the chin and accept it."

PA