Tottenham Hotspur - Aston Villa

Posted Friday, February 05, 2010 by Goal.com

Aston Villa travel to White Hart Lane to face Tottenham Hotspur in what should prove to be an entertaining battle between two of the Premier League’s top four hopefuls.

Villa recorded an impressive 2-0 victory away to Fulham last time out, but their recent form will have sat favourably with boss Martin O’Neill, particularly the goalless draw at home to West Ham United.

Spurs boss Harry Redknapp was left ruing his side’s late defensive lapse for the second time in as many games, after Liam Ridgewell’s stoppage time equaliser denied the London side what would have been an impressive victory at Birmingham City.

The Londoners do currently occupy the much coveted fourth spot, but they cannot afford to rest upon their laurels, with both Liverpool and Manchester City beginning to pick up steam in their pursuit of Champions League football.

Both managers will undoubtedly be drilling their respective defeats to Liverpool into the player’s heads prior to kick-off, seeing this fixture as the perfect remedy.

There has been a total of 223 goals scored in the fixture, resulting in an encouraging average of around three-and-a-half per game, and with not a single goalless draw in the last 17 years, we can safely expect to have witnessed some action come 19:15 on Saturday.

FORM GUIDE

Tottenham Hotspur

3 Feb: Leeds United 1-3 Tottenham (FA Cup replay)
30 Jan: Birmingham 1-1 Tottenham (Premier League)
26 Jan: Tottenham 2-0 Fulham (Premier League)
23 Jan: Tottenham 2-2 Leeds United (FA Cup)
20 Jan: Liverpool 2-0 Tottenham (Premier League)

Aston Villa

30 Jan: Fulham 0-2 Aston Villa (Premier League)
27 Jan: Aston Villa 0-0 Arsenal (Premier League)
23 Jan: Aston Villa 3-2 Brighton (FA Cup)
20 Jan: Aston Villa 6-4 Blackburn (League Cup)
17 Jan: Aston Villa 0-0 West Ham (Premier League)

TEAM NEWS

Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham will definitely be without three first team players, although defender Benoit Assou-Ekotto could make a return after recovering from a groin strain. The Cameroon defender will, however, be hard pushed to displace the impressive Gareth Bale.

There is still no official return date for Jonathan Woodgate, who remains sidelined with a groin strain, as does Aaron Lennon – although the speedy winger is due to return to first team action by the end of the month.

Italian goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini is still yet to recover after injuring his pelvis and breaking both wrists in a motorcycle accident. New acquisition Eidur Gudjohnsen could make his home debut on Saturday, whilst the returning Younes Kaboul could also feature for the first time since his move from Portsmouth.

Starting XI from last league match [Birmingham]: Gomes; Corluka, Dawson, King, Bale; Modric, Huddlestone, Palacios, Bentley; Crouch, Defoe.

Aston Villa

Martin O’Neill’s side travel to White Hart Lane without the services of up to three first team players.

Full-back Stephen Warnock is out of contention after picking up a shin injury, but of deeper concern for the former Blackburn Rovers man is that he could be ruled out of the League Cup Final against Manchester United.

Towering striker John Carew has returned to training following a knee injury, but the Norwegian is unlikely to feature against Spurs.

Midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker will also miss out, having sustained an ankle injury that will rule out the former West Ham and MK Dons man until April.

Starting XI from last league match [Fulham]: Friedel; L Young, Dunne, Cuellar, Collins; Downing, A Young, Milner, Petrov; Agbonlahor, Heskey.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Tottenham Hotspur – David Bentley

Since returning to the Tottenham first team in Aaron Lennon's absence, David Bentley is steadily beginning to show glimpses of the form which persuaded the then Spurs boss Juande Ramos to part with £15 million to secure his services.

Bentley, once dubbed the ‘new Beckham’ has struggled to blossom under his weighty price tag, and that, along with the consistent form of Lennon, has seen the former Blackburn man restricted to only a handful of first team opportunities.

Nevertheless, Bentley has been revelling on the right flank of late, with his confidence growing with every pass, tackle and shot. With one goal and two assists in his last three starts, it appears the tide is finally turning for Spurs' No.5.

Aston Villa – James Milner

The former Leeds man has every attribute you could wish for in a midfielder. His work rate unquestionable, with passing ability that’s second to none, James Milner is quickly becoming the gem in Martin O’Neill’s side.

Milner has been in impressive form so far this season, aiding his side's push for Champions League football with four goals and eight assists in 22 Premier League appearances.

The main threat that Milner will pose to Spurs will be his delivery; from both set pieces and open play. Spurs could call upon the experience of Ledley King (rested in midweek) to help maintain a high level of concentration amongst their backline, as Milner holds the ability to pick-out anyone, at anytime, from anywhere.

PREDICTION

Having cancelled eachother out during the 1-1 draw at Villa Park, it’s hard to see an outright winner emerge from this match.

Should Spurs grab an early goal, however, they could go onto to win the match, as they did against Manchester City at White Hart Lane – where they overran the visitors to claim a 3-0 victory.

Villa are made of stern stuff, though, and their players are pumped to the brim with craft, determination, and passion. This will be a great game, but it will end in a draw.

Tottenham Hotspur 2-2 Aston Villa