Tottenham Hotspur vs Aston Villa Match Preview

Monday night sees the return of Premier League football for Spurs and Aston Villa after two very long weeks. It’s an interesting clash between two clubs whose supporters like to think of themselves amongst Britain’s biggest clubs, and I’m afraid I can only agree with one of those sets of fans.

One of the teams sells out their stadium every week, and one regularly has many empty seats, even in the supposed fanatical home end. One team frequents European competition and has faced Europe’s giants in their recent history, the other got knocked out before the group stages last time they qualified for any foreign adventure. One has the hotly tipped future England manager in charge and one has the man that got their local rivals relegated last season. One has some of world football’s hottest properties wearing their shirt, the other has Emile Heskey. Villa, a big club? You’re having a laugh!

On the back of a sizzling run of form, Spurs go in to Monday’s clash full of confidence and on the back of an international week that saw numerous man of the match performances by players such as Luka Modric, Gareth Bale, Kyle Walker and demi god Scott Parker. 22 points from the last 24, and if results go our way, we could be sat in third come Tuesday morning, with a game in hand. Villa come into the game after a solid start to the season but only 2 wins in their last 10 games in all competitions and without an away win in the league since beating Arsenal in May. It will be tight and Tottenham will have to guard against the pace of Gabby Agbonlahor, who should be shackled by England’s best defender on current form, Ledley King.

Spurs are sweating on the fitness of Rafa van der Vaart after his hamstring strain playing for Holland last weekend, but if he doesnt make it then they have the predatory instincts of Jermain Defoe to call upon. Defoe, fresh from his meeting with the ever lovely Rihanna this week, has shown himself to be a great foil for Emmanuel Adebayor and you wouldn’t bet against one or both scoring against the ponderous defence of Villa if they start in tandem. Other long term injury victims including Michael Dawson, Niko Krancjar and Tom Huddlestone remain sidelined, whilst the Midlanders have an almost full strength squad to pick from.

Key Battle: Adebayor vs Dunne – Manu’s movement, pace and power should pull the Irishman all over the place leaving big holes for Bale, Luka and Rafa/Defoe to exploit. If Manu doesn’t score for Spurs, Dunne probably will.

Prediction: 3-1 Spurs.

Live on Sky Sports at 8pm Monday 21^st November from White Hart Lane.

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