Tottenham Hotspur FC

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• Manager:Harry Redknapp

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Preview: Tottenham v Aston Villa

04 Feb 2010 - 12:29:33

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Tottenham Hotspur face Aston Villa on Saturday evening in what looks set to be a mouthwatering clash between two top-four pretenders.

Harry Redknapp and Martin O'Neill will put their tactical prowess to the test at White Hart Lane with just two points separating the pair.

Spurs sit in fourth place with Villa in seventh in a top-of-table battle that is taking great shape.

Redknapp allowed Robbie Keane to join Scottish giants Celtic on loan until the end of the current campaign but moved to bring in former Chelsea idol Eidur Gudjohnsen to plug the void left by the Republic of Ireland star.

Keane's move may allow unsettled Russia striker Roman Pavlyuchenko the opportunity to finally stake his claim for a starting spot but, with Jermain Defoe and Peter Crouch in fine form, the England boys are likely to be certain starters.

Villa boast a fine English striker of their own in Gabriel Agbonlahor and it was his quick-fire double last Saturday that secured a 2-0 win at Fulham and he looks set to play alongside Emile Heskey, who is back in the starting eleven after a spell on the sidelines.

The win against th Cottagers capped a fantastic opening month to the new year for Villa.

O'Neill's men remained undefeated in all competition through January and have earned themselves a place in the Carling Cup final and a spot in the FA Cup fifth round.

Benoit Assou-Ekotto, Aaron Lennon and Jonathan Woodgate are still on the sidelines for Spurs with groin injuries.

The visitors will be without Nigel Reo-Coker (ankle) for the trip to the capital and lofty forward John Carew (knee) and Stephen Warnock (shin) both face late fitness tests ahead of the clash.

If Carew is available for the game, it will give O'Neill a selection headache following the return to form of Heskey and the Norwegian may have to settle for a place on the bench.