Alan Hansen’s Premier League Preview: Aston Villa v Tottenham
Tottenham arrive at Villa Park this weekend brimming with confidence after a 9-1 thrashing of Wigan last weekend. Harry Redknapp’s side could quite of easily had more such was the Latics defensive display. However, they face a very different proposition this weekend against an Aston Villa side that is sure to give Spurs a tough time in the Second City.
Tottenham have now won their last two league matches (both at White Hart Lane) after a poor display at the Emirates in the North London derby. However, their recent away form is not overly impressive. They’ve won one of their last four away league games (2 defeats). They may have beaten strugglers Hull, West Ham and Portsmouth on their travels this season but they’ve not looked as impressive when facing the better sides in the division on their own patch. Villa may not be in the same class as Chelsea and Arsenal who have both beaten Spurs 3-0 but they are one of the best sides outside of the big four.
Martin O’Neill’s team have turned Villa Park into a fortress despite a miserable opening match of the season. Since losing 2-0 to Wigan on the opening day, Villa have won 4 and drawn one of their five home games. This includes a victory over league leaders Chelsea and a 5-1 thrashing of Bolton in their last home game, so they are not to be underestimated.
Harry has improved Tottenham dramatically as a Premier League force and the team has a real cutting edge to it with Jermain Defoe at the forefront. He now leads the scoring charts with 11 goals despite missing three matches through suspension this season. Defoe has come on leaps and bounds this season and is at the very top of his game so is sure to be a handful for Villa defenders Richard Dunne and James Collins especially as he boasts a record of 4 goals in his last 4 league starts against the Villans. However, Defoe is not the only danger to Villa as there are plenty of other attacking stars in Spurs line-up. I certainly won’t be surprised If this is Villa’s 9th consecutive league game without a clean-sheet.
Aaron Lennon was in scintillating form against Wigan but is unlikely to have as easy a match against Stephen Warnock as he did against Erik Edman. However, one thing defenders hate to play against is pace so Lennon is sure to cause problems if he is given enough possession. I would be surprised if Fabio Capello wasn’t in attendance at Villa Park as this match will be packed with young English talent, perhaps more so than at any other Premier League fixture this weekend.
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Three of Villa’s brightest English talents James Milner, Gabriel Agbonlahor and Ashley Young will surely give Spurs defence plenty of trouble of their own with their pace and quality. Agbonlahor in particular may well be a thorn in Tottenham’s side if Harry opts for Michael Dawson and Jonathan Woodgate as his central defenders as neither is blessed with anything like the pace the Villa frontman possesses. I would not be surprised if Harry opts for the speedy Sebastian Bassong instead of Dawson if Ledley King is ruled out. Villa will get chances as Spurs have kept just one clean-sheet in their last 17 away league trips and O’Neill’s team has scored in every single Premier League game since failing to score against Wigan on the opening day of the season.
Tottenham won at Villa Park last season but that was their only win there in the last 6 meetings (3 defeats) so this is not necessarily a happy hunting ground for the North Londoners. Villa are so dangerous from set-pieces that I think this game may well be decided by that route as these are two very even looking sides. Therefore, I’m backing the Villans to take all 3 points on the Premier 10 £45,000 rollover weekend.
Tags: Alan Hansen, Aston Villa, Premier 10, Premier League, Tottenham
November 26th, 2009 at 17:10
This match is very difficult to predict.
There are so many unanswerable questions.Could Modrick possibly Spurs best player make a return appearance.Will King be fit enough to give a good performance.Spurs have lost to most of the top sides but when they did so,they were without Lennon,Defoe and of course Modrick.I think you are premature in writing Spurs off.I have a strong feeling is that this will be a draw,but I would not put any money on it as I think anything could happen.
November 26th, 2009 at 17:37
Spot on Alan. 3-1 Villa!
November 26th, 2009 at 18:35
I have a sneaky suspicion this one will end 3-2 with the winning goal beiing scored in the last 10 minutes. Who will get that goal is anyone’s guess, this match is too close to call. If it was at The Lane I’d pick Spurs 3-1 but here I just can’t decide.
November 26th, 2009 at 20:37
2-0 Villa
November 26th, 2009 at 20:40
As a Spurs fan this is the first ‘big’ game. We should have beaten the teams lower in the league (and did). We were always going to lose against Ar*e, Man U and Chelscum (sorry but let’s be realistic). Villa, Everton, ManCity - now that’s where 4th 5th 6th will be decided. The first real test of how far we’ve come ….. COYSpurs
November 27th, 2009 at 06:48
No no no, Alan, you’ve gotten this wrong. I’m going to show you who’s the boss with two goals, and my buddy Aaron will twist and turn the VillaN defence to tears. So long as Ledley and/or Woodie keep that bear Heskey stagnant, then you’re gonna lose ur quid man.
November 27th, 2009 at 08:55
Oh yes fan boy Hansen continues to back Liverpool and hate Spurs no matter what
RAFA MUST STAY
Signed
Rest of Premiership
November 27th, 2009 at 14:36
This is a pivotal match for both clubs, a spurs win and its 6 pts between then, a villa win and it even steven. with arsenl/chelsea and everton/liverpool also playing, man city could be the big winners this weekend