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Aston Villa travel down to London on Saturday looking to boost their chances of securing an automatic place in next season's UEFA Cup place after this season's failed bid via the much-maligned Inter-Toto competition.
Villa are in a great run of form at present, losing only one out of their last 12 games and believe they can grab sixth spot in the league which should see them rewarded with a European place.
But standing in their way on Saturday is a Tottenham side out to impress new boss Glenn Hoddle in a bid to be part of his plans for the revolution at White Hart Lane. Injury problems have highlighted the need for Hoddle to strengthen his playing staff. In the club's recent trip to Liverpool 11 players in his 16-man squad were aged 23 or under and although they gave a good account of themselves, were unable to prevent a second consecutive defeat.
Paul Merson has claimed that Villa need a striker that can guarantee them 20 goals a season if they are to become part of the Premiership elite and be challenging Manchester United for their title. Dion Dublin and record signing Juan Pablo Angel have failed to deliver a regular supply of goals for the club and as the team's 38% shooting accuracy implies - the worst in the Premiership - it's an area that John Gregory will need to improve next season.
Nevertheless, Villa are better defensively than Spurs, conceding an average of 1.09 goals per match compared to the Londoners' mean of 1.40. Neil Sullivan has been under so much pressure this season, that the Scottish number one has been forced into making the most saves in the Premiership (128). Sullivan's counterpart, David James has made 107 stops this term - the third highest tally in the league.
Vila will be looking to claim their fourth Premiership 'double' of the season after defeating Tottenham 2- 0 back in November. Ian Taylor was the hero that day netting a goal in each half and online bookies www.SpursBet.co.uk offer a reasonable 14/1 punt on the former Sheffield Wednesday man scoring the game's first goal.
Tottenham however will be looking for revenge and after turning a two-goal lead into a 4-2 defeat last season, they will not take anything for granted. Saturday's game should be a fairly exciting and open affair between these two highly ambitious and respected clubs.
Benji Romaner
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Fri 27 April 2001, 12:00
Tottenham Hotspur
- Tottenham.doc