It’s been quite a week for Tottenham with boss Harry Redknapp his usual busy self in the transfer market. New signings Eidur Gudjohnsen and Younes Kaboul are both set to make their first appearances since arriving at White Hart Lane but England winger Aaron Lennon remains sidelined by a persistent groin problem. Villa were quiet during the transfer window but manager Martin O’Neill hopes to welcome John striker John Carew back following injury.
Quick Check
Tottenham Hotspurs
- Former Chelsea star Eidur Gudjohnsen is poised to make his debut after joining on loan from Monaco.
- Younes Kaboul could also feature after completing a £5m switch back to White Hart Lane.
- Tottenham have kept clean sheets in seven of their last 11 games.
- Striker Jermain Defoe scored his third hat-trick of the season in the FA Cup win at Leeds in midweek.
- The last nine games between the two sides have been settled by one goal or less.
- Spurs drew 1-1 at Villa in November.
- Ledley King and Roman Pavyluchenko are both injury doubts.
- Aaron Lennon and Benoit Assou-Ekotto are still out with groin injuries.
- Defender Jonathan Woodgate remains sidelined by a long-term groin problem.
- Goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini is set to miss the rest of the campaign after a serious motorbike accident.
- - Striker Jermain Defoe has missed six of his last ten penalties.
Aston Villa
- Striker John Carew is hoping to return after a knee problem.
- Full back Wilfred Bouma is back in full training following a long-term toe problem.
- Villa’s win at Fulham last weekend was their first in six league games.
- Striker Gabriel Agbonlahor ended a seven-week goal drought in the league at Fulham.
- Defender Stephen Warnock has been told to rest his shin problem for the next fortnight.
- Bulgarian Stilyian Petrov is doubtful because of injury.
- Midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker is out for up to three months with an ankle stress fracture.
- Marlon Harewood will be sidelined until April with a broken metatarsal.
Expert Advice
An intriguing clash looks on the cards as two of the main protagonists for the final Champions League place meet at White Hart Lane. The first game between the sides ended in a draw and this is likely to be just as tight. While Robbie Keane may have left for Celtic and winger Aaron Lennon remains sidelined by injury, Tottenham will be boosted by arrivals of Gudjohnsen and Kaboul, particularly the former who will add an extra element to their already creative attack. Villa are in good spirits too, though, with an appearance in a Wembley final already in the bag and their defence looking sharper in the last fortnight. Having Gabriel Agbonlahor back among the goals is further good news for Martin O’Neill, so Betsson’s odds of 3.4 for a draw appears a value bet.
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