News
Match: Tottenham v Villa
Venue: White Hart Lane
Date: Saturday February 6 - ko 5.30pm
Referee: Chris Foy
COMMENTARY
Jack Woodward is joined by Ken McNaught on AVTV.
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FORM GUIDE
Villa got back to winning ways in style last weekend on one of the Premier League's toughest grounds for visiting teams.
Our opponents, Fulham, had not lost at home since September and had recorded a win over Manchester United - but two goals from Gabby Agbonlahor gave Villa a superb win.
Prior to that, Villa had not won in four league games, although their cup form had been impeccable.
Spurs are unbeaten in four games and advanced in the FA Cup with a midweek victory over Leeds United.
Last weekend, they earned a hard-fought 1-1 draw at in-form Birmingham City.
KEY MEN
Jermain Defoe has proved himself as one of the top-flight's deadliest strikers this season.
He has enjoyed a superb campaign - including a five-star display against Wigan and a hat-trick in the FA Cup against Leeds United in midweek.
Tottenham's swoop for Niko Kranjcar from Portsmouth could prove to be one of the signings of the season.
The creative midfielder was a thorn in England's side as Croatia pipped them to Euro 2008 qualification.
Well-travelled striker Peter Crouch is no stranger to Villa. Since leaving Villa Park in 2004, he has enjoyed successful spells at Southampton, Liverpool, Portsmouth and now Tottenham.
THE GAFFER
Masterminding escape acts has become a specialty for a manager who has earned the nickname Harry Houdini - and Harry Redknapp was at it again for Spurs last season.
When he quit Portsmouth just over a year ago, he found the north Londoners struggling at the foot of the Barclays Premier League.
At the time, Tottenham had just two points from their opening eight matches, but Redknapp worked his magic to lead them to a run of six matches unbeaten.
Now his sights are set on making an impact at the top end of the league rather than the bottom.
Results so far this season suggest he is going the right way about it, as Spurs are well positioned in the European places.
As in his previous jobs at West Ham and Pompey, Redknapp has demonstrated his shrewdness in the transfer market with the summer signings of Niko Kranjcar and Peter Crouch.
Redknapp's finest success to date was undoubtedly guiding Pompey to the FA Cup in 2008, but he's hoping Spurs will offer him a shot at more silverware.
VITAL VILLANS
Gabby Agbonlahor hit the goal trail again in last weekend's win at Fulham - taking him into double figures for the season.
The way in which he took his two goals at Craven Cottage was also extremely pleasing.
BIG MATCH FACTS
Four of the last six Premier League meetings between Villa and Spurs have ended with a 2-1 scoreline.
Jermain Defoe has scored in four of his last five top flight starts against Villa.
Villa's win at White Hart Lane last season ended a run of eight Premier League trips to Spurs without a victory.
The claret and blues have won three of their last four top flight away matches, keeping a clean sheet in each victory.
Martin O'Neill's men have only failed to score in one of their last 15 Premier League away matches.
Tottenham have lost only one of hteir last eight Premier League matches.
Jermain Defoe and Peter Crouch have scored 28 goals in the 28 matches they have started together.
FLASHBACK
The reverse fixture at Villa Park earlier this season ended in a 1-1 draw.
Gabby Agbonlahor gave Villa an early lead but Spurs bagged a second-half equaliser through Michael Dawson.
Goals from Nigel Reo-Coker and Ashley Young earned Villa a 2-1 success when the two teams met at White Hart Lane last September.
Darren Bent grabbed a late consolation for Tottenham, who were managed by Spaniard Juande Ramos at the time.
By the time Spurs visited Villa Park for the return game in March, Ramos had been replaced by Harry Redknapp.
The rejuvinated Londoners ran out 2-1 winners on that occasion. Bent and Jermaine Jenas gave Spurs a two-goal lead, while Villa's goal was scored by John Carew.
