Villa Park, Saturday 1730 GMTASTON VILLA:
Martin O'Neill had a first hand view of the demolition of Wigan Athletic by Tottenham, although he did leave his seat in the White Hart Lane VIP area after the sixth goal flew past Chris Kirkland.
He did not depart so early because he had already begun to quake in his boots at the thought of the the damage Jermain Defoe and Co might inflict on his own team.
He was merely making an early getaway to avoid being stuck at the ground for "14 hours" because of the road closure system after the final whistle.
Suffice to say, O'Neill was hugely impressed with Spurs, so much so he believes they are favourites ahead of Villa and possibly Manchester City to break the top four monopoly this season.
"I would say they have a very good chance. You would have to make them favourites ahead of us. I think we still have a wee way to go to be up at that level," said O'Neill.
Mind games are not usually O'Neill style, but he has rather nicely deflected some of the pressure off his own side in what is a genuine examination of both sides' top four credentials, even if O'Neill does not believe one game will decide anything.
"It has all the feeling of a big game and we are excited about it, but this will not prove who is better in terms of breaking into the top four this season. I don't see it that way.
"The Wigan result was one of those freak occurences. Spurs had a great day and everything went for them. Their movement is excellent, but I would like to think that we have the defenders to cope with it a wee bit better."
Strategy: O'Neill is not one for altering his formation to combat the effectiveness of opponents. So, despite the mayhem caused by Spurs against Wigan, it will be business as usual for Villa. He will want his wingers to be every bit as effective on both flanks as Spurs and that is where the key to the contest rests.
Ashley Young is overdue a big game and this will be an ideal opportunity. Who proves most effective between him and Aaron Lennon is likely to give their side the edge. Stewart Downing is also fit again, but likely to have to wait for his chance to impress from the substitutes bench. He will have a point to prove against the side that failed in a £12.5m bid for him in January this year.
Injury Update: James Collins is still suffering the effects of a groin injury that has kept him out of action for the last two matches and will miss out again. Villa's only other injuries are the long term ones to Wilfred Bouma and Curtis Davies.
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR:
It was all smiles at White Hart Lane last week when Jermain Defoe scored five second half goals against Wigan as Spurs netted nine for the first time in 32 years, but it goes without saying that Villa will be a different proposition on their own turf.
Both clubs have exactly the same aim - to finish fourth at the end of the season and therefore have a crack at the Champions League qualifiers - and Spurs are marginally ahead on this one.
The Wigan win took them level on points with third-placed Arsenal, but Villa know they can equal their opponents' tally of 25 with a win.
Harry Redknapp's side have lost to all three clubs above them in the table, which suggests they will climb no higher, but when it comes to their fourth-spot rivals they are in credit, having beaten Liverpool on the opening day.
Redknapp has left his players in no doubt that they face a difficult task - and must forget last week's stunning success. He said:"It's been a good week, but in this game you don't have too much to enjoy results. I won't even have to discuss last week with them.
"They all know this one is a tough a tough game. Villa are a good side and made some good signings in the summer, with the three defenders - Dunne, Collins and Warnock. They look stronger this year."
Strategy: More of the same. Redknapp would be delighted if Tottenham continue where they left off last weekend, but he knows football does not work in that way. Managers don't usually like to change a winning team and this must surely apply to a line up that almost hit double figures in the most recent game.
That would leave captain Robbie Keane still on the sidelines, with the forward having been rested for the Wigan match following the Republic of Ireland's traumatic World Cup exit.
Injury Update: Play maker Luka Modric is nearing a comeback from the broken leg he suffered in August but centre back Ledley King is still sidelined by a hamstring problem.
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