Aston Villa v Tottenham
Villa need points to ensure survival whilst Spurs are regaining their form at just the right time so Sunday’s clash could prove to be vital for both club’s final placing.
Alex McLeish was relegated with Birmingham last year and he could have an unwanted record of being in the bottom three in consecutive seasons with city rivals. His connection with Birmingham meant he has always found it hard to appease the Aston Villa supporters and because of a horrendous season which has them win just seven times. It’s the second lowest number of wins in the division with Wolves, already relegated, the only side who have gained less victories this season. Villa’s problem has been that they have drawn too many games because they don’t score enough goals. Having drawn nearly half of their league games, they find themselves just three points off the bottom three and relegation. Their saving grace my well come in the shape of other teams just not being good enough but if it was any other season in recent years, they would be dangerously close to the drop – more so than they currently are.
Spurs have won their last two and those victories have seen them jump back into fourth spot, just one point behind arch rivals Arsenal. The fourth spot is obviously coveted because it normally brings with it Champions League football. However this season could prove different as Chelsea – currently sixth – are in the Champions League final and if they are successful, the final spot for an English team to compete in the competition next season would transfer to them as winners. It would be a devastating blow for whoever finishes in fourth should that be the case. Harry Redknapp and his players cannot think that way though and must just go out to try and accumulate as many points as possible. Redknapp himself was dealt a blow when he was overlooked for the England manager’s job which was offered, and accepted by, Roy Hodgson. The Spurs manager answered that in the best possible way by leading his side to an impressive 4-1 away win against Bolton. It means they remain in control of their own destiny and if they win both of their final matches they can finish no worse than fourth.
Villa with just one home win to their name in 2012 have it all to do to secure their own safety. Having scored just once in their last four games, and the second worst goals for record in the league, don’t even look a threat going forward. Injuries have robbed them of their top striker in Darren Bent but the replacements have simply not been good enough.
Tottenham would love to finish above Arsenal, a place they occupied for much of the season, but if you were to offer Redknapp and his player’s fourth place just now they would bite your hand off. A home game against Fulham will conclude their season but a win on Sunday would heap massive pressure on Newcastle.
I have seen quite a bit of Villa recently and they look so short of quality and lack any real desire at the moment. Spurs, on the other hand, are hitting form again and I think they will be too strong for their hosts.
My Selection: Tottenham to beat Aston Villa
Best odds available: 10/11 available with StanJames
