Tottenham Hotspur v Aston Villa Pre-Match Thread

[jeowje]

Haven't seen Camp Lawro's prediction posted yet so thought I might oblige (apologies if already done!). I think we can guess what he thinks anyway(bovvered...)

Tottenham v Aston Villa
Tottenham boss Andre Villas-Boas can do no wrong at the moment but we have to temper the hype around him a little bit because Spurs got their backsides smacked in the last half-hour of their win at Old Trafford last weekend.

Manchester United made all sorts of chances, Tottenham retreated and United were unfortunate not to get one point and maybe even should have got all three.

Getting rid of their 23-year hoodoo at Old Trafford will give Spurs confidence but taking a strong team to Greece to play Panathinaikos in the Europa League on Thursday could count against them.

 Villa striker Darren Bent knows he has to fight for his place

They have found their form in the Premier League and keeping it going should be their priority over a game where the result doesn't really matter because they can still get out of their group whatever happens. Why make things more difficult for yourself?

Aston Villa are having a bit of a quiet revolution under Paul Lambert and it is interesting to watch.

Lambert has not made a big deal out of his team selections, he has just said to the team 'play well and I am not bothered how old you are or how much Villa paid for you'.

Darren Bent, who was one of the casualties of that selection policy, proved a point when he came off the bench and scored his goal against West Brom on Sunday but, through Bent doing that, maybe Lambert has proved a point as well.

Villa are heading in the right direction but I cannot see them getting anything at White Hart Lane. Gareth Bale is in the sort of form where he can be unplayable and, even if some of their players are tired from their trip to Greece, Villas-Boas can change the direction of the game with the strength he has on his bench.

Prediction: 2-0

[Monty]

Have to say, that's actually a fair prediction from Lawro. It's fair enough to think we'll lose at Spurs, and he's reported the Bent thing as favourably to Lambert as it should be.

[The Situation]

Disappointed this game isn't on Sky. What are they thinking.... Southampton vs Fulham, really?

[damon loves JT]

Have to say, that's actually a fair prediction from Lawro.

I can't believe Lawrenson wrote that. I agree with everything he says. *Lies down in dark room*

[Rip Van We Go Again]

Have to say, that's actually a fair prediction from Lawro.

I can't believe Lawrenson wrote that. I agree with everything he says. *Lies down in dark room*

Old Lawro will be most interested that you've gone to lie down in a dark room as a result of something he's said.

[Salsa Party Animal]

No Live coverage is ESPN broadcasting the game on ESPN UK

[silhillvilla]

Looks like it will be a WM job tomorrow out in the shed

[damon loves JT]

Looks like it will be a WM job tomorrow out in the shed

Make sure you put any toxic liquids and sharp tools out of reach

[preston28]

Bad feeling about this one. 3-0 loss in our topsy turvey season........................

[PaulMcGrathsNo5Shirt]

I would go with Gabby, Bent and Benteke tomorrow....

..............................Guzan.......................................
..Lihaj.........Vlaar...............Clark.....Bennett.............
...................El Ahmadi.....Delph...............................
..Agbonlahor....................................Holman............
...................Bent...... Benteke.................................

I would like Gabby to play on whichever side of the pitch that Bale is. Holman is comfortable on either side too but I think Gabby has the pace to deal with Bale going forward and could course Spurzz problems going forward when we have possesion. This I feel is Spurzzz weakest area. Holman I would like to play narrow to almost make up a central 3, with our width on the left coming from Bennett who looks good going forwards. I think it will be a tough game, and we have to accept Spurzzz will get a lot of the ball so Delph needs to enure he isn't reckless in his challenges.  My other change would be Lihaj, who I think has better postional sense than Lowton defensively. He'll also be a better threat in both penalty areas.

[clash city rocker]

We should get beaten tomorrow. However we are Aston Villa and nothing is ever simple with  us. If i was mad enough to have a bet it might be on us to at least get a point. Will have to check Betfair to see if it would be worth risking any money.

[clash city rocker]

Nearly 7/1 Villa.7/2 the draw. Spurs are 1/2 so from a betting point of view spurs are extremely bad value. Is it time to place a decent wedge on the Villa ?

[damon loves JT]

No.

[PeterWithesShin]

I tried to put a pony on us winning early, but my local bookie wouldn't accept it no matter how hard I tried to convince him that Shergar was in the pot of glue.

[clash city rocker]

OK i bow to your better judgement but if i miss out on winning £14 i will never forgive you !