Aston Villa v Tottenham preview

Downing set to make home debut at Villa Park

By James Riach   Last updated: 27th November 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Aston Villa v Tottenham preview

Defoe: In the goals

PREDICTIONS:

Skysports.com prediction: Aston Villa 1 Tottenham 2

SKYBET odds: Aston Villa 11/8, Draw 9/4, Tottenham 2/1

One to watch: Jermain Defoe

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Tottenham go into their game against Aston Villa in high spirits after their 9-1 thrashing of Wigan last weekend.

Jermain Defoe hit five goals against the Latics at White Hart Lane as Spurs scored eight times in a miraculous second-half showing to leave Roberto Martinez's side in complete disarray.

After the game, Defoe said the scoreline would mean nothing unless they get a result against Aston Villa, and Harry Redknapp's side will travel to the Midlands hoping to put in another excellent performance.

Both teams are hoping to push for a top-four berth this season and win a much coveted place in the UEFA Champions League.

Spurs currently occupy fourth spot in the Premier League but Villa are hot on their heels in fifth, and a win for Martin O'Neill's side would see them go level on points with their London opponents.

Team news

Aston Villa snatched a late equaliser against Burnley last weekend thanks to an 86th minute winner from striker Emile Heskey.

Villa have lost just one of their last eight matches and will also come into the game with a high level of confidence, although O'Neill was at White Lane to see Spurs dismantle Wigan and he admits he was impressed.

"They played very well indeed," he said. "They made loads and loads of chances in the game. They missed a few too.

"I left when it was six or seven - I can't remember which - and even then I didn't think the scoring was done. It was just a great performance.

"This one is a game to saviour. We, ourselves, are doing very well at this moment in time, which is great. Hopefully I haven't spoken too soon."

Stewart Downing could make his home debut after the England winger made his comeback after a seven-month lay-off with a broken foot as a substitute at Burnley and then played 75 minutes for the reserves in midweek.

However, central defender James Collins will have a late fitness test on his groin injury as the former West Ham player missed the game at Turf Moor.

If he is ruled out, Carlos Cuellar will again deputise alongside Richard Dunne at the back.

Spurs boss Redknapp will have to decide whether to stick with the partnership of Defoe and Peter Crouch which proved so effective against Wigan.

However, Robbie Keane will be desperate to start after he was rested last week following his exertions with the Republic of Ireland.

Ledley King also missed the Latics game and is sidelined once more for the trip to the midlands.

Spurs will also definitely be without injured Croatian Luka Modric, goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini and Giovani Dos Santos, although Redknapp is unlikely to make any changes after his side's last performance.

Possible starting XIs:

Aston Villa: Friedel, L Young, Cuellar, Dunne, Warnock, Milner, Petrov, A Young, Downing, Agbonlahor, Carew

Tottenham: Gomes, Corluka, Assou-Ekotto, Woodgate, Dawson, Palacios, Huddlestone, Lennon, Kranjcar, Defoe, Keane