Aston Villa take on Tottenham Hotspurs in the Premier League clash this saturday which promises to be an indication of which of these two teams is best equipped to challenge the Premier League big four status quo.
Spurs will be brimming with confidence following their 9-1 thrashing of Wigan but their record at Villa Park is not overly impressive. Tottenham won there last season but that remains their only away win at Villa Park in six visits.
Martin O’Neill’s team are unbeaten in five at Villa Park and pose a tough ground for Jermain Defoe to repeat his 5-goal heroics from last weekend.
Tottenham skipper Ledley King is still out with a hamstring injury.
Luka Modric has trained with the youth team as he steps up his rehabilitation from a fractured fibula but is still short of fitness.
Goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini is a long-term absentee.
Villa have lost just one of their last eight matches and will also come into the game with a high level of confidence, although O'Neill was at White Lane to see Spurs dismantle Wigan and he admits he was impressed.
Stewart Downing could make his home debut after the England winger made his comeback after a seven-month lay-off with a broken foot as a substitute at Burnley and then played 75 minutes for the reserves in midweek.
However, central defender James Collins will have a late fitness test on his groin injury as the former West Ham player missed the game at Turf Moor.
If he is ruled out, Carlos Cuellar will again deputise alongside Richard Dunne at the back.
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