Monday 2 November 2015 08:40, UK
Monday Night Football's offering this week pits a revitalised Harry Kane and Tottenham up against the Premier League's basement boys Aston Villa.
Can Joleon Lescott and the Villa defence keep their hosts out?
The Villans have lost their last six League games, a run coinciding with Tim Sherwood becoming the third Premier League manager to leave his post in the space of three weeks. They won't welcome the sight of Harry Kane on Monday night.
Prior to Spurs' comprehensive 5-1 win at Bournemouth last weekend, Kane had scored once in nine League outings this season, despite starting every game. This was not for the want of trying, as Kane has peppered the opposition goal all season in order to rediscover the goalscoring form that led to 31 goals in all competitions last campaign.
It should be remembered that the Tottenham academy graduate was still establishing himself as a household name this time last year. A run of 19 goals in 21 Premier League appearances, starting with a 90th minute winner at Aston Villa last November, left him second only to Sergio Aguero in the race for the Golden Boot. No player has found the back of the net more times in 2015.
Despite scoring one goal in his last 10 outings at White Hart Lane, Kane has still scored more than twice as many Premier League home goals than any other Spurs player in 2015. Although last season's consistency has been elusive at times so far this season, his tireless approach to rectifying this is palpable.
Kane will be confident of adding to his tally against the side currently propping up the division. Villa have lost their last six Premier League games - a run that coincides with Lescott's Villa debut. The £2m deadline day deal to sign the former England international from West Brom ticked many a box in terms of stature, experience and reputation. After all, Man City spent £24m to prize him from Everton in 2009, and his 160 appearances in Manchester were rewarded with two Premier League titles, and both domestic cups.
In his sole season at West Brom, Lescott excelled at the heart of the Baggies' defence, and was the club's only defender to surpass 30 top flight appearances. He was ranked first in each of the following categories:
Since his Villa debut, Lescott has started alongside Micah Richards in all six Premier League defeats, in which 12 goals have been conceded. That partnership is expected to be broken on Monday night due to Richards' impending suspension. Richards' form has had a striking resemblance to that of Lescott last season - he leads Villa this campaign in blocks and clearances.
Kane and Lescott have previously faced each other once in the Premier League - Kane scored twice in Spurs' 3-0 win at West Brom in January, kicking off a run of 11 goals in eight league appearances. Lescott will need to draw on his experience, and leadership skills demonstrated at the Hawthorns last season, to have any chance of stopping Kane replicating that on Monday.
Watch Tottenham v Aston Villa live on Sky Sports 1 HD from 7pm on Monday Night Football
