Source: Team_Talk
O'Neill puts Villa on Defoe alert
Defoe will arrive at Villa Park on cloud nine after his amazing five-goal blast during Tottenham's 9-1 win against Wigan at White Hart Lane last weekend.Harry Redknapp labelled Defoe the best finisher in the Premier League after that match and O'Neill is not about to argue with that assumption as he holds England marksman Defoe in the highest regard.O'Neill, whose fifth placed Villa trail Tottenham by a place and three points, said: "Defoe will have to be watched very carefully in the game as he can score goals."I wouldn't disagree with Harry Redknapp that he may well be as good a finisher as anybody in the Premiership."Defoe is a very fine player. But it is not just him we will have to be aware of.Tottenham have a number of good players like Peter Crouch, Aaron Lennon and Niko Kranjcar."Tottenham were absolutely brilliant at the weekend and in unstoppable form. I felt they were excellent."I happened to be at the game and they caused Wigan all sorts ofproblems scoring that number of goals."But saying that I don't think for one minute that anyone would have expected at half-time that Wigan would have conceded eight goals in the second half."It is an appetising game with the two teams in fourth and fifth place."While Defoe will be flying after his haul against Wigan, O'Neill hopes that Villa striker Emile Heskey can now start to find the net on a regular basis after scoring his first goal of the season to earn Villa a point at Burnley last weekend.Heskey has endured a frustrating season so far at a time when he is aiming to try and cement a place in England's squad for the World Cup Finals.O'Neill added: "I am obviously very pleased that Heskey got off the mark with his goal at Burnley."I think just for his confidence as much as anything else."I've said before that he has made his name as the provider of chances but it is still important for centre forwards to score goals."His confidence has been given a big lift and he has been reallyexcellent in training this week."My own belief is that he is capable of scoring more goals than hethinks himself and we do have good service from the wings."England winger Stewart Downing has also come into the equation after making his Villa debut at Burnley following his recovery from a broken foot.How to accommodate Downing, Ashley Young and James Milner in the same team is something that O'Neill is now relishing.He said: "It is not such a big problem as it seems to be being reported."All good players find a space for themselves. I think anyone whohas been watching us for the last couple of seasons knows that Ashley Young and James Milner are capable of playing in a number of positions for us."Ashley has done it comfortably. He has played both sides and he and James change wings in the course of games."The thing that is attractive about Stewart Downing is the fact that he can play in a number of positions which he has done for Middlesbrough."He has played wide left, wide right and played off the centre forward. He is an exciting player. When he is fully fit it should be great." Aston Villa 11/8, Tottenham 2/1, Draw 9/4