Source: Telegraph
Aston Villa set the benchmark for Harry Redknapp's Tottenham
Effusive in his admiration for the "great job" Martin O'Neill has done at Villa, Redknapp avowed his ambition that Tottenham would consign this nightmarish season, in which they have flirted with the relegation places throughout, to memory before breaking into the big four in the style Villa have shown by usurping Arsenal.[LNB]"You like to think that we can start going that way," Redknapp said. "We certainly don't want to be where we have been this year. On our day, we are capable of giving anyone a game – we've got good players here and the club has invested heavily in the transfer window in the last few years.[LNB] Related ArticlesVilla home in on problems[LNB]Redknapp: We lack English talent[LNB]Premier League team news[LNB]Keane: Let's get 'strange' season out of the way[LNB]Barry: We must forget Arsenal[LNB]Premier League Big Four out of Aston Villa's reach despite outstanding win over Arsenal[LNB]"If you are not looking that way then what are you aiming for. It's no good saying, 'I hope we finish in the top half next year'. We have to hope for better. With the size of this club, the potential, the fan base and the money invested, we should be pushing to get up there."[LNB]Redknapp also claimed he had no qualms about returning to Villa Park this weekend after a coin was thrown at him by a "moron" during his last visit.[LNB]Redknapp was manager of Portsmouth earlier in the season when the supporter narrowly missed him but struck Phil Sharp, leaving the assistant referee with a cut forehead.[LNB]The 62-year-old was said to have hired protection from an ex-SAS soldier when he returned to Portsmouth as Southampton manager. When asked if he feared the atmosphere at Portsmouth, he replied: "Not in the slightest."[LNB]Tottenham have let two players go out on loan to Championship sides: forward Giovani dos Santos has joined Ipswich and midfielder Adel Taarabt has gone to Queens Park Rangers. [LNB]
