ASTON VILLA v TOTTENHAM - POINTS SHARED IN ANOTHER VILLA THRILLER?
These sides played in one of the games of the season back in October when they shared 8 goals at White Hart Lane. Neither side seems to have learnt from that day as Villa’s recent 4-4 draw at Chelsea and Spurs 6-4 home win over Reading showed. Tottenham seemed to have sorted out their defensive problems after clean-sheets at Portsmouth (League) and Man City (Carling Cup) but after conceding 7 goals in 3 matches, Ramos knows he still has a lot of work to do. Expect some new recruits to arrive at the Lane in the January sales as Juande goes hunting for bargains.
Spurs may be poor defensively with only 3 teams having conceded more in the Premier League but they also boast the title as the top scorers in the division so it doesn’t take a genius to work out where the problems lie. Captain Ledley King may be fit again but the side has still conceded 5 goals in his two comeback matches so extra time on the training ground will be one of Ramos’ New Year resolutions.
Villa ended the year with a win at Wigan after going 5 games without a win throughout December. After drawing at Chelsea and beating Wigan they will be confident of kicking off the new year with 3 home points for the first time since November 3rd. Martin O’Neill’s young side are geared towards counter attacking football and therefore struggle to break sides down at Villa Park so a draw is a likely result. The head to head record backs this up with 4 of the last 5 matches drawn. Tottenham have enjoyed a recent run of 6 games undefeated against Villa. However, Tottenham have won just once at Villa Park since 1986 and that was 5 years ago. With both sides in confident form back the New Year to start with a point each for these two on Premier 10.
Pundit’s Pick: New Years Day spoils shared (draw)
Tags: 01/01/08, Aston Villa, New Years Day, Spurs, Tottenham
