Aston Villa-Tottenham Hotspur Preview

Posted Friday, October 01, 2010 by YAHOO Sport

LONDON (SE) - Tottenham striker Peter Crouch has called on his Spurs team-mates to use their Champions League momentum to kick-start their Premier League campaign against Aston Villa on Saturday.

Spurs have had a brilliant start to their first European campaign in 48 years with a decent 2-2 draw at Werder Bremen and a 4-1 demolition of FC Twente.

And Crouch has told the other Tottenham players to take that form into the Villa fixture and improve on their current eighth place in England’s top flight.

Crouch said: “We have got to kick-start our season in the Premier League starting with a win over Aston Villa.

“We have done well in European competition but I think the manager has said before that our break and butter is in the Premier League and we have got to make sure we have these nights again by finishing fourth.

“That is why we battled so hard to get here. We wanted to go to the best clubs and best stadiums and we are all looking forward to the San Siro trip.”

Spurs boss Harry Redknapp has urged flying winger Aaron Lennon to regain the sparkling form that ripped apart defences last season.

Lennon, 23, has been in poor form since he returned from England’s disappointing World Cup performance in South Africa.

Redknapp said: “He is not playing like he did last year that is for sure. It is getting harder and harder for people to play in that position.

“He has got to find a way to get his form back and we will help him as much as we possible can. He will get there in the end.”

Spurs face a defensive injury crises ahead of the Villa fixture with William Gallas (groin), Younes Kaboul (hamstring), Michael Dawson (knee), Jermain Defoe (hamstring), Jamie O’Hara (back) and Jonathan Woodgate (knee) all sidelined.

Aston Villa defender James Collins has backed in-form Emile Heskey to fire the Midlands side to victory over Tottenham at White Hart Lane.

Heskey has been in inspired form since ex-Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier linked up with the striker at Villa.

The Englishman has often been maligned by supporters but showed his heading ability with a fantastic goal against Wolves.

And Collins believes that the retired international is the man to fire Villa into the Champions League.

Collins said: “Emile has been brilliant for us and I have no doubts that he will do well for us at Tottenham. He was fantastic at Wolves.

“The goal tipped off a superb performance. He has had stick from fans over the years but you ask any player who has played against him and they hate it.

“Emile is a players’ player and I would hate to play against him. He is a real team player who puts his body on the line for the side.”

Villa will be without John Carew (hamstring), Richard Dunne (achilles), Gabby Agbonlahor (groin) and Fabian Delpth (knee) for the Spurs match.