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Tottenham
The greatest win in our premier league era? Tactics flawed overall but luck ran on our side for once?......whichever view you take of the Man Utd win, this home game against Aston Villa, is the type of game we have to be winning, if we're to stand any chance of challenging for top four.
We come into this game sitting in a comfortable 5th, which is a decent position at this stage, especially now we have faced two of the hardest away games (Newcastle & Man Utd), so with a struggling Aston Villa side visiting the lane, this should be an easy win, on paper, yet we know that won't be the case.
In terms of formation, AVB clearly has his set formation, 4-2-3-1, with Sandro & Dembele in the centre being key to the success of this formation, as regardless of which players we use on the wing, or upfront, if we don't compete or provide drive or creativity from centre mid, then the formation simply doesn't work.
The main point of debate seems to focus on our back four, as with Vertonghen on his way to becoming our most important player at the back, what is his best position? he is a class act at centre back or left back. He has awareness & vision in making runs forward, so clearly there is less risk involved if he plays at left back and ventures forward.
That leaves the centre back pairing, Gallas won over many of his doubters against Utd, yet regardless of his performance, he is nearing the end of his career, but clearly his experience can benefit Caulker if he puts in performances like he done against Man utd, yet if he struggles outside of the big games then we can't keep him in the side based on experience alone.
I expect us to start with the same team that faced Man Utd, with possibly Sigurdsson coming into the side, yet he doesn't seem to link up well with Defoe in the 4-2-3-1, but his passing range is superior to Dempsey.
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Aston Villa
Villa are somewhat of a non existence in football fans views, does anyone take notice of them? if they got relegated, would anyone be shocked, or miss their "stylish" football? Yet this is why they sacked McLeish, as they wanted to bring in a young, vibrant manager, with energy and a view to playing attractive football again.
Hard to be to too critical of Lambert yet, as what did he inherit? Darren Bent, Stephen Ireland (although I hear he is a doubt for the game) & Charles N'Zogbia, three players who on their day can punish any team in this league, either in terms of chances scored or creativity, yet is that enough to provide the spark to moving up the table?
One of their summer signings, Matthew Lowton has hit the ground running, he is an attacking full back, which is technically sound and will be Villa's main threat from deep and I expect he will look to expose any gaps on our left hand side.
With Aston Villa sitting in 16th, with 5 points, lack of firepower and prone to leaking goals, I would say they could be in for a long hard season, yet regardless of this, they have players in their side who can win games, which is why I believe they won't be a pushover.
Match Facts
- Tottenham have had a player sent off in each of their last two Premier League visits to Villa Park.
- Emmanuel Adebayor has scored six goals in eight Premier League starts against Aston Villa including four in his last three.
- The six goals netted by Adebayor against Aston Villa is his joint-highest haul against any opponent in the Premier League, along with Blackburn, Derby and Tottenham.
- Spurs have lost none of their last seven Premier League games against Aston Villa (W4 D3 L0).
- Spurs have won 14 and lost just two of their last 21 Premier League matches at White Hart Lane. One of those defeats was masterminded by then Norwich boss Paul Lambert (2-1 in April).
- Aston Villa have scored just five goals in their last 11 Premier League away matches, winning none and losing six in that run.
- Spurs have conceded the highest proportion of second half goals in the Premier League (88%).
- Tottenham have won six and lost one of their last 10 Premier League matches.
- Aston Villa have won just one of their last 16 Premier League games (W1 D7 L8).
- Five points after six games is Aston Villa’s worst start to a Premier League season.
Previous Meeting
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Aston Villa 1 Tottenham 1
Aston Villa vs Tottenham 2012 attendance:- 36,008 ( Referee- Probert)
Aston Villa starting lineup vs Tottenham 2012:- Given, Hutton, Collins, Warnock, Dunne, Clark, Cuellar, Lichaj, Ireland, N’Zogbia, Herd, Heskey and Weimann
Tottenham starting lineup v Aston Villa 2012:- Friedel; Walker, Gallas, Kaboul, Rose; Lennon, Modric, Sandro, Bale; Van der Vaart; Adebayor
Highlights of game: [flash=450,259,[url]http://static.video.yandex.ru/lite/mrzackon/jlsj8sor7y.3315][/url]
(Wrong game, though!)