By Aston Villa FC

*The extracts on this page are taken from various newspapers and media outlets. They do not necessarily reflect the views of Aston Villa.

Express and Star: Boss Paul Lambert today insisted he was never going to risk Christian Benteke's fitness and rush him back for Villa. The claret and blues slipped to a 2-0 defeat to Tottenham yesterday as Benteke made his return from a month out with a hip injury. A second-half substitute, he missed a golden chance when he headed over just minutes after replacing Libor Kozak.

Express and Star: While Christian Benteke's return almost provided the spark for Villa, Spurs' 2-0 win extended their unbeaten run against the claret and blues to 11 games. England darling Andros Townsend and Roberto Soldado struck in each half as Villa huffed and puffed but ultimately had no answer to Tottenham for the second time in a month. It was harder work for Spurs than their 4-0 League Cup cruise in September, but money talks and the visitors were worth their win.

ClubCall: Fabian Delph insists Aston Villa worked as hard as they could to get something out of the clash against Spurs but mistakes cost them. Tottenham ended up 2-0 winners at Villa Park as goals from Andros Townsend and Roberto Soldado gave Andre Villas-Boas's team all three points on a disappointing afternoon for the home side.

Best Of The Rest

BBC Sport: Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger says Manchester United are still involved in the Premier League title race.

Sky Sports: Sir Trevor Brooking claims England manager Roy Hodgson deserves more credit after leading The Three Lions to the World Cup finals.

BBC Sport: Former world champions France have been drawn against Ukraine in the European play-offs for the 2014 World Cup. Portugal face Sweden, which means either Cristiano Ronaldo or Zlatan Ibrahimovic will not take part in next summer's tournament in Brazil.

*The extracts on this page are taken from various newspapers and media outlets. They do not necessarily reflect the views of Aston Villa.

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