Tottenham vs Villa: Match Thread

[chrissivad]

​

Banner by Evolution
​

__________________________________________________

Tottenham v Aston Villa

Venue: White Hart Lane Date: Saturday, 6 February 2010 Kick-off: 1730 GMT

Coverage: BBC Sport website, Full commentary on BBC 5 live sports extra, BBC Radio 5 Live (commentary after end of England v Wales in Six Nations), local radio, Final Score & highlights on Match of the Day

For more details on coverage please check out Geez's Live Media Thread http://www.spurscommunity.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=56067Click Here

_______________________________________
The race for Europe hots up at White Hart Lane



​

---

2[ar]

[/ar]

Top four hopefuls Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa go head-to-head on Saturday evening.

The race for UEFA Champions League qualification is coming to the boil, with Liverpool and Manchester City also keen to ensure that it is they who secure a place at European football's top table.
The weekend encounter between Spurs and Villa could go a long way to determining who will prevail, with just two points separating Harry Redknapp's men in fourth from Martin O'Neill's troops in seventh.
There is little to choose between the two sides heading into the game, with Tottenham having lost only one of their last eight fixtures in the league and Villa winning three of their last four on the road.
Spurs have managed to keep six clean sheets during their impressive recent run, and four in a row on home soil, while they can also boast an attacking unit which is in red-hot form at present.
Jermain Defoe bagged an FA Cup hat-trick against Leeds in midweek, and his partnership with Peter Crouch has seen the pair find the target 28 times in their last 28 starts together.
Villa, though, have only failed to score in one of their last 15 Premier League games away from home and have shut their opponents out in three of their last four.
Their recent record at White Hart Lane is not the best, with only one win taken from eight visits, but that solitary success was achieved last season.
The reverse fixture at Villa Park in November ended 1-1, but four of the last six meetings between the two clubs have finished with a 2-1 scoreline.
Options for Redknapp

Spurs came through their cup endeavours at Elland Road unscathed and Harry Redknapp has no fresh injury or suspension concerns to contend with.
Roman Pavlyuchenko and Benoit Assou-Ekotto (both groin) remain doubtful, but will be given as long as possible to prove their fitness.
Carlo Cudicini will not play again this season after breaking his wrist, meaning Ben Alnwick will continue to provide back-up for Heurelho Gomes.
Aaron Lennon remains a long-term absentee with a groin problem, allowing the in-form David Bentley another opportunity to shine, while Jonathan Woodgate will also remain sidelined for the foreseeable future.
Club captain Ledley King was rested against Leeds and he could be drafted back into the fold at the expense of Sebastien Bassong, while Luka Modric will also be hoping for a recall.
Carew in contention

Aston Villa are set to be boosted by the return of striker John Carew, who has missed their last four games with a knee injury.
The Norway international has been back in training this week and manager Martin O'Neill hopes to have him available for the trip to the capital.
Stephen Warnock is continuing to struggle with the shin injury he picked up during the FA Cup victory against Brighton last month.
He is facing a race against time to be fit for the Carling Cup final against Manchester United at Wembley on 28th February.
Skipper Stiliyan Petrov retains his place in the side despite still being troubled by an Achilles problem.



PREDICTIONS

Skysports.com prediction: 2-2

SKY BET odds: Spurs 11/10, Draw 12/5, Villa 5/2

One to Watch: Jermain Defoe
__________________________________________________

BBC Preview

Tottenham's new signings, Eidur Gudjohnsen and Younes Kaboul, are likely to be on the bench.

---

2[ar]

[/ar]
Manager Harry Redknapp may recall Ledley King after he sat out the midweek FA Cup clash with Leeds, but Roman Pavlyuchenko (groin) is out.
Aston Villa hope to welcome back John Carew, who has missed the last four matches with a knee injury.
Stephen Warnock must rest his shin injury for two weeks, but Stiliyan Petrov (Achilles) is fit to play.


Tottenham
Suspended: None
Doubtful: None
Injured: Assou-Ekotto (hip), Cudicini (broken wrists), Lennon & Woodgate (both groin), Pavlyuchenko (groin)

Aston Villa
Suspended: None
Doubtful: Carew (knee)
Injured/unavailable: Albrighton & Reo-Coker (both ankle), Harewood (foot), Warnock (shin)


MATCH PREVIEW

The holy grail of a Champions League place remains within the grasp of both these clubs.
Spurs have won just once in the league in 2010 and are grimly hanging on to fourth spot as the traffic behind them, in the shape of Liverpool, Manchester City and Villa, begins to bunch up.

Harry Redknapp's men have picked up only seven points out of 21 against teams currently in the top seven this season, while Villa have lost just twice in eight clashes against the big boys, beating Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United along the way.

Villa boss Martin O'Neill has drummed into his squad the importance of picking up results in matches such as these and is also trying to maintain their focus as the distraction of the forthcoming Carling Cup final looms large.
Should they win at Wembley, O'Neill will be keen to avoid the example Tottenham set when they won there two years ago. Spurs took their foot of the gas completely following their triumph over Chelsea and won only three of their 12 remaining league matches as their season meandered into May.
Villa go into this match with the league's meanest defence, but they will have their hands full containing Tottenham and their red-hot striker Jermain Defoe, whose third hat-trick of the season in midweek further rubberstamped his place in England's World Cup squad.

---

2[ar]

[/ar]
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
• Both matches last season were won by the away side by the same scoreline, 2-1. Four of the last six Premier League meetings between the two sides have ended 2-1.
• Aston Villa's win at Tottenham last season ended a run of eight trips to White Hart Lane without a victory.
• In-form striker Jermain Defoe has scored four goals in his last five Premier League starts against Villa.



Tottenham
• Spurs have kept four clean sheets in a row at White Hart Lane, which is only the second time they have done this in the Premier League. Both these times have been under Harry Redknapp (last season they kept six clean sheets on the spin at home).
• Jermain Defoe and Peter Crouch have scored 28 goals in the 28 Premier League matches they have started together.
• Only Manchester United have managed to score more than once against Spurs in the last 29 Premier League games at White Hart Lane.


Aston Villa
• Aston Villa have won just five of their last 17 Premier League matches away from home, but three of those victories have come in their last four trips on the road.
• Villa have only failed to score in one of their last 15 league away matches.
• Martin O'Neill's side ended a run of four league matches without a goal when they beat Fulham last weekend.


LEADING GOALSCORERS
....................................................................
Tottenham
Defoe: 20 goals (15 league); Crouch 10 goals (5 league)

Aston Villa
Agbonlahor: 12 goals (10 league); Milner: 8 goals (4 league)

Referee: Chris Foy
Assistant referees: Phil Sharp & Martin Yerby
Fourth official: Peter Walton




MOST RECENT MEETING

Aston Villa 1-1 Tottenham (28 November 2009)
Aston Villa scorer: Agbonlahor 10
Tottenham scorer: Dawson 77


__________________________________________________ ______________________________________________

​

For listings on where you can view the match visit Geez's Live Media Thread

Geez's Live Media Thread​

Not at the match and looking for somewhere to talk to others while the game unfolds. Head into the Match day chat room with the other SC'ers

FOR SC LIVE CHAT, CLICK ON THIS BANNER

​

Fancy a flutter? have a look in the Betting and Gambling forum to see whats on offer.

​

Tottenham Vs Aston Villa http://www.spurscommunity.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=55923Specials

 

[talkshowhost86]

COYS!

Really really need to win this and I think we can. Villa aren't the sort of team to sit back and play like Hull/Wolves and that should give us the space to do our thing.

That does of course mean that we'll need to defend but I think Charlie can deal with young and either Bassong or King should be able to cope with Agbonlahor.

Should be a fairly evenly matched game but if Harry gets them up for it we can win.

 

[gibbs131]

The pace in our defense is my main worry. But on the flip side we have enough fire power to get the win.

 

[PT]

Carew always seems to do well against us so I'd like to see King come in and nullify his threat both on the ground and in the air. King and Dawson I hope.

 

[walworthyid]

The pace in our defense is my main worry. But on the flip side we have enough fire power to get the win.

But isn't more accurate to say that it is their pace that is your main worry?

What team has cb's that can live with the pace of Young and Agbonlahor?

However, if pace was all that won games teams would field teams full of 100 metre sprinters! Yes, their quick and yes Villa are a decent side, but they were a quick and decent side when we gave them a football lesson up at Villa park not that long ago too!

We're a better team with better players and we'll win!

The glass is half full gibs!

 

[BringBack_leGin]

Need this one to go our way, I know 'must win' is a cliché but the way things have panned out recently, this is must win. I feel we need to still be ahead of City when we go to their house next month, and winning tomorrow would be a good start, as well as put some breathing space between us and Villa.

 

[SpurSince57]

COYS!

Really really need to win this and I think we can. Villa aren't the sort of team to sit back and play like Hull/Wolves and that should give us the space to do our thing.

That does of course mean that we'll need to defend but I think Charlie can deal with young and either Bassong or King should be able to cope with Agbonlahor.

Should be a fairly evenly matched game but if Harry gets them up for it we can win.

Not to the same extent, they won't, but they're still counter-punchers by nature. They'll be more effective at hitting us on the break, is all.

 

[gibbs131]

But isn't more accurate to say that it is their pace that is your main worry?

What team has cb's that can live with the pace of Young and Agbonlahor?

However, if pace was all that won games teams would field teams full of 100 metre sprinters! Yes, their quick and yes Villa are a decent side, but they were a quick and decent side when we gave them a football lesson up at Villa park not that long ago too!

We're a better team with better players and we'll win!

The glass is half full gibs!

The glass is only half full if you sit on the fence with a 'what if" attitude.



I predicted a win.



If you want on the fence/can't commit but will attack after the fact you need to quote SS57. Because he never sticks his neck out and will rip people apart AFTER the fact.

If you want undercurrent, I think King and Bassong would be a good partnership because I think Daws wont be needing to win too many headers in this one.

But we do need King and Bassongs pace as opposed to Daws penalty arial ownage from crosses.

In fact, Kaboom may even be a good CB to have here (because pace/athletisism is his Brucey Bonus). Daws has played a lot, it is time to rest him and put out the speedsters in defense.

I kinda worry about Corky. This is one game where I fear he may not be the best choice even though his use of his body/hips is amazing when it comes to making fast attackers go the longest route.

For my glass half full aspect, we will win because we have more danger all over the park while theirs in concentrated in speedy front men.

 

[walworthyid]

The glass is only half full if you sit on the fence with a 'what if" attitude.



I predicted a win.



If you want on the fence/can't commit but will attack after the fact you need to quote SS57. Because he never sticks his neck out and will rip people apart AFTER the fact.

If you want undercurrent, I think King and Bassong would be a good partnership because I think Daws wont be needing to win too many headers in this one.

But we do need King and Bassongs pace as opposed to Daws penalty arial ownage from crosses.

In fact, Kaboom may even be a good CB to have here (because pace/athletisism is his Brucey Bonus). Daws has played a lot, it is time to rest him and put out the speedsters in defense.

I kinda worry about Corky. This is one game where I fear he may not be the best choice even though his use of his body/hips is amazing when it comes to making fast attackers go the longest route.

For my glass half full aspect, we will win because we have more danger all over the park while theirs in concentrated in speedy front men.

Harry thought the same thing at villa park last season and put zokora against young and had to sub him at half time (if not earlier)! charlie came on young never had another kick. He just got all over him any time the ball went over that side and never let him turn.

Charlie doesnt look like a gritty full back, but he can defend!

 

[SpurSince57]

If you want on the fence/can't commit but will attack after the fact you need to quote SS57. Because he never sticks his neck out and will rip people apart AFTER the fact.

But who in their right mind gives a flying fuck what a liar and fantasist like you thinks?

 

[Spurger King]

Well inter-SC member sniping aside, I'd just like to say that this is a game I've been looking forward to for a while. This fixture last season was pure embarrassment, and this is the perfect opportunity to measure exactly how far we have come.

That game will stick with me for a long time. I've rarely seen us look so clueless right across the park, and a fair few of those players will be playing again. So much has happened since then, and both teams have made improvements to their squads, so I'm intrigued to see just how different we are to that shambles from the last days of Ramos.

 

[Bergsy]

ESPN Now, spurs-villa anniversary match.

 

[spurslenny]

Not confident. Again. :-|

 

[AirTito]

Yid Army

 

[Rupstoh]

I hope we have some Pav.

[FONT=Verdana, Helvetica]

[/FONT]

 

[spurslenny]

Eek

 

[camaj]

This is another must-win and citeh, who are away at hull is a must lose

 

[3Dnata]

Kaboul to come on as sub and fire another late goal against them - this time the winner.

 

[guy]

we can and really need to win this.

ol'gibbs how could you forget the zokora/charlie incident?!?!? You must really be getting ol'

Those saying we shouldnt play daws are forgetting the fact that villa do in fact play alot of long balls up the strikers and we will need daws' good heading to rectify this.

2-1 us

 

[Goldman]

We will win 2-1..

Although my cousin Jack is a bit of a bad luck charm for me at spurs games, im sure we will provail.