Sunday, October 7
Kick-off: 3pm
Tottenham are on a high after ending their Manchester United hoodoo last weekend. They chase a fourth successive Premier League victory on Sunday infront of their home supporters.
Aston Villa have been short of form and a poor record in north London means Paul Lambert's side will be up against it at White Hart Lane.
Villas-Boas beginning to turn things around
Spurs were brilliant at Old Trafford last weekend, recorded their first victory at the Theatre of Dreams since December 1989, at a time where communist rule was ending in Romania and the first episode of the legendary cartoon, The Simpsons was broadcasted in the US.
Despite a slow start with two points from three games, Andre Villas-Boas is beginning to turn things around at the Lane, with a string of watchable attacking performances.
The win at the Red Devils took Tottenham into the top five before the weekend began and they will be aiming for another victory on Sunday.
Although they had an excellent result in Manchester, frustration continued in the UEFA Europa League in midweek, as they failed to beat Panathinaikos in Athens, despite creating far more goalscoring chances in comparison to their opponents.
Aston Villa hover just outside the bottom three but local pride was just about retained last Sunday with a battling 1-1 home draw with west Midlands rivals West Brom.
Darren Bent came off the bench to score the equaliser with 10 minutes to go.
Bent was dropped by Lambert last weekend but you can't help feeling that if his goals dry up, the Villians will be in trouble come the end of the season.
A battle of two England strikers
It could well be a battle of two England strikers in this match that decides the outcome.
Bent (pictured) has lost his place in the international reckoning, largely due to an injury sustained in February that ruled him out of Euro 2012.
A good performance here won't be enough to get him into Roy Hodgson's plans for England's next two World Cup qualifiers but will remind the experienced coach of what he can offer to the team.
He will be facing Jermain Defoe, a striker who is possibly in the form of his life. Defoe signed a new contract in August and has made an electric start to the new term with four goals in six matches.
After standing down for European duty, Brad Friedel should return in goal for the home side, as Hugo Lloris looks set to sit on the bench again.
Tottenham's only injury is Benoit Assou-Ekotto with a knee injury. William Gallas is likely to deputise in a problematical left back area.
After a lay-off with a groin strain, Richard Dunne looks set to return for Villa at the heart of the defence, while Bent and Charles N'Zogbia should win recalls back into the starting 11.
Possible Line-ups:
Tottenham: Friedel, Walker, Vertonghen, Caulker, Gallas, Sandro, Dembele, Dempsey, Lennon, Bale, Defoe.
Aston Villa: Guzan, Lowton, Dunne, Vlaar, Bennett, N'Zogbia, Holman, Delph, Albrighton, Agbonlahor, Bent.
By Simon Wright
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