Written by Doc Bowles Saturday, 06 February 2010 09:22
For a fleeting moment, I was drawn in to the "big club" banter yesterday. But it strikes me that those exchanges served mainly to mask a refreshing truth. This is going to be one hell of a game.
It isn't going to be a hell of a game because of the bragging rights associated with it. Those rights have a part to play - that's football - and they'll be exercised with gusto come Saturday night.
It's going to be a hell of a game because it will be played between two teams who believe they can win against even the toughest opponents, and have also proved it. Two teams who both have a genuine chance of Champions League football. And two teams packed with skill, pace and attacking menace.
The game, to me, takes on an even greater allure because of the way each side is likely to play.
Spurs will back their midfield skill and striking prowess to break down Villa's now miserly defence - and with their mercurial Croatians both on form, who would deny they have what it takes to break Villa down. Their fire power in front of goal is not in question. They will start on the front foot and they will go forward from the first whistle.
But O'Neill, equally, will be confident that his re-engineered defence will cope with Spurs' movement and their slick passing - and that his midfielders will work back to frustrate the home team's forwards. Without a doubt, he will be confident that Villa will be able to use devastating pace and fluidity on the break to threaten Harry's men.
What a prospect. I can hardly wait.
What concerns me slightly, as a Villain, is that I feel both teams will have chances. On current form, you'd have to fancy Spurs' strikers to take theirs more clinically than ours. That's why - for all this will be a battle between two contrasting midfield philosophies - the result may come down to striking quality. Gabby Agbonlahor may well be the key player for Villa, and which Gabby turns up may ultimately determine the outcome.
But I leave you with one more thought. A few seasons ago, this would be a game the neutrals would have glossed over. A dull encounter for a bit of mid table breathing space.
It's not now. It's got the neutrals and the pundits buzzing - because this is a game between two very, very fine English Premier League teams who are both going places. Whoever wins takes a battle, but not the war.
Like I say, it's going to be one hell of game. And may the best team win. Up the Villa.
Live match blog with team news, banter and a few links will be arriving at midday.
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Spursfan
said:
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... Nice build up) game should be a cracker between two good sides, hopefully lots of chances and lots of goals (for Spurs)  best of luck tonight)) COYS |
Alex Glynn
said:
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... Well written perspective! I have a big day for sport - a huge sporting fixture at my college too, followed by Spuds Villa. So glad it's at 5.30 pm! |
Simon Mansfield
said:
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... Agreed, both teams will have a tonne of chances in this game, it's just a matter of who buries them! We can only hope/prey that Gabby's on song and feeling confident to stick it in the back of the net today! I strangley have more anticipation/nerves about this game than I did for the League Cup Semi - Gonna be a cracker! Can't wait! :-) |
James Clift
said:
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... Massive game today. Lets forget the bragging rights on who's the biggest club bla bla bla, if we win today we put ourselves in a very good position in the final push for that all important CL place. Losing this game is'nt an option. The cup final for today at least must be put to one side. MoN will have done his homework on Spurs, they are not the side that came to Villa park and gave us a footballing lesson earlier this season. A full flowing Villa side playing at the top of their game can walk away today with 3 points. |
Simon Mansfield
said:
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... [A full flowing Villa side playing at the top of their game can walk away today with 3 points. ] That's the spirit 'Jimbo Daventry Villa' and Damian too - WTF!? Have you been taking your positive pills again! :-) Smell the points!!  |
Lew Chatterleys Lover
said:
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... The danger for us Today is getting overrun in midfield, I think we should be playing 5 across bringing Delph in, with Gabby on his own up front, JC to come on if we need more fire power. We can't afford passengers so no Heskey please MON. On the plus side White Hart Lane is hardly a fortress so lets have a go at them. |
Avillian136
said:
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... This will be a cracker i have a feeling we'll beat them 3-1 too bad its not on skysports  does anyone know any free streams i can use |
filospurs
said:
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... it beggers belief that any Villa fan could think there team will walk over the same sours which took you apart at villa park, there are teams in every league that just seem to have the edge over the other for reasons that no one can justify, and after spurs performance over the villa away from home, I can only see one result! home win. this apart i hope villa, everton and the spurs push through into the champions league spot... even if this does hapen, all you will then hear is about the big three.. so inevitable who ever breaks inot the lowly 4th spot will still be cast aside by the media and pundits... happy days. |
Avillian136
said:
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... this game should be an absolute cracker and i have a feeling that we will win this 3-1 but if we don't put our chances away and spurs do it will be a very long night. Does anyone know any free streams for this match cheers UTV!!! |
VillaNick
said:
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... After all this build up, it's gonna be a 0-0  I would take that right now, Spurs away is as hard a game as we could get this season. |
pepsi head
said:
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... im off to get my wembley ticket down villa park then off to london to see the mighty villa spank those spurs and take that smug smile off simon weston,s face,sorry i meant arry fatnapps face  |
Avillian136
said:
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... this game is gonna be a cracker and i reckon we will leave white hart lane with all three points with the score being 3-1 but if we don't take our chances and spurs do it will be a long long night. anyway i would really like to watch this match so does anyone know any free streams i can use cheers UTV!!! |
Graymo
said:
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...as a Villain I think you meant Villan. I reckon we'll scrape a win today. I put my money where my mouth is even if it was only a couple a quid. |
frem
said:
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... i think villa will nick it. 1-0 or 2-1. it will be a fierce incounter and i think are determination and commit will win it. spurs weak links of the ball like modric and kranjar will not stand our fight. Are trio will be key to today. milner, young and downing are are real quality on the ball. I think downing will nick three points. we have a slight advantage in that spurs played a tough game on wednesday. |
jr 27
said:
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... Looking forward to the game, should be a cracker. We need the 3 points as February sees some mega games at the top of the premier leage: Spurs v Villa Villa v Man Utd Liverpool v Everton Arsenal v Liverpool Man City v Liverpool Everton v Man UTD Chelsea v Man City Not forgetting a Cup Final for the Villa. Come on Villa 6 points over the next week and we will be storming into 4th spot come March!!! UTV |
cockneyvillan
said:
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... Really looking forward to the game, im sure it will be pretty open and attacking. This is a big big game today between two very good sides and like all big games im a little apprehensive. I think it will be a close edge of the seat game, with goals, but its possible that either side could blow the other away if the chances are taken, thus come kick off it might be a bit squeaky bum time!! But this is what its all about, and i wouldn't want to change it for the world....come on villa!!! |
WhiteHartDub
said:
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... As a Spurs fan living in Brum I can't wait for K.O. it will be a cracking game but home advantage will tell in this one. You were lucky at Villa park to get the point you did, not this time however. COYS |
osvaldo villa
said:
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... Nice one DOC and very fair in you assesment of the two teams, considering you are a villain through and through. I thought that we totally out played you at villa and that you were lucky to get away with a point, as I am sure you will agree, as were everton,brum,etc, etc. If you can get a good start against us then we will have a problem.........and I think that then MON will pack the mid-field However if SPURS get an early goal then it will make for a great game, I have always liked VILLA so lets hope that what ever happens today that the Bindippers,Citeh and the Arse lose. Enjoy the game, COYS Enjoy a good |
Nathan Price
said:
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... They looked very good on weds night. Bentley was terrific, Defoe looked like he could score ten goals in a game. Going forward they are very frightening. They looked slightly suspect at the back though. And it was against Leeds... But I expect a very tough game today, if we can take it to them and finish our chances which we will definately make, hopefully we can take three points. We are a different team to the one that put in a pitiful performance against them at VP. We are playing better football and have added a dimension to our game that has been lacking for a long time, ofcause we still have lightening pace and an ability to turn defence into attack in a flash. Three points sets us up nicely for Manure on Weds! |
Andr3
said:
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... If we play our usual coutner attack syle of play, we should dominate them at their home ground. I might actually bet for this game i'm that confident |
sean jones
said:
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... What a game today to send a message to the rest of the pretenders. I think if we can stop Modric and Defoe then we can win, because I think when those two are not on song Spurs tend to find it difficult. Saying that if they can stop Milner and Young then we mite find it difficult lol, but going to be a cracker im going for a 2-1 Villa win. UTV |
jerry
said:
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...How long until kick off Damo? 4hrs? cheers for a response Andr3 When the little hand is half way between the five and the six, and the big hand is on the six, and the second hand (that’s the one that’s moving quickly) is anyfu(kingwhere you like, the ref. will blow his whistle and the match will kick off. |
AV4EVER
said:
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... This is going to be a tough one. Spurs are the only team this season to outplay us at Villa Park, but then again I believe the boyz have been playing better away, especially against the so called bigger teams. Both teams need to win this game, Villa need to start this game quickly just to steady the nerves, Spurs normally come out of the blocks pretty quickl, so the surprise will be to counter act this. 1-2 Villa to win. (Downing and Carew) |
jerry
said:
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... Doc: Excellent stuff. Fellas they don't build 'em like this any more http://www.timesonline.co.uk/t...015876.ece If anyone's interested, I think she's got a younger sister. |
cliffo
said:
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... the problem i have with this fixture is what is riding on it. if we win the game, we go above spurs and also still have a game in hand, or if it goes the other way, we are a game in hand but a howle 5 points behind, which on spurs, would be tough to claw back. a draw i think is most likely, but for me i think it will be one of those games that we will have our chances and just wont be able to win it. we always seem to have "one of those games" when we have a great chance at grabbing that 4th place spot or at least getting a gd foothold in the race. i hope im wrong but i can just seeing this happening, it's the "villa" thing to do otherwise, UTV!! lol |
jerry
said:
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... To return for a moment to the 'O'Neill doesn't rotate the team enough' argument, I offer this comment from another blog I don't agree, as continuity breeds understanding and confidence. |
Andr3
said:
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... Churchill ya smartarse im abroad so i wanted to know how long i can sleep for, but dont worry i have found out what time I gotta get up to watch the game |
jerry
said:
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...Churchill ya smartarse im abroad so i wanted to know how long i can sleep for, but dont worry i have found out what time I gotta get up to watch the game Andr3 I know mate. Don't get upset. I couldn't resist it - style over substance again. I'm really up for this fixture and the adrenaline is pumping round in industrial quantities. Up the Villa |
rocky marciano
said:
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... pepsi head lol . should be a good game.don`t think the leeds game will affect spurs unless they lose of course.going for the opposite of villa park game but we murder them 1-1 |
Andr3
said:
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... yeah churchill it will be a cracker of a game... I wasnt upset at all i actually found it funny  |
Avillian136
said:
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... sorry about the multiple messages they didn't seem to come up so i just typed them again my bad and filospurs first of all get off this site and secondly i said i have a feeling, that doesnt mean its going to happen and u say u were all over us that's true but that was wen u were chasing the game wen u got back into it was completely different so shut it, if u think i am talking rubbish just wait till the result and if its a bad one u wont even need to say anything ill just be crying myself to sleep and thanks to people that replied to my comments |
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