Tottenham are looking for three points against Aston Villa to maintain their progress following the most difficult of starts to the 2011 - 12 season. Those points would see them move ahead of Chelsea and Newcastle United. The weekend's results favoured Spurs with both of those teams losing so now it's in Spurs own hands to show they have the winning mentality when the stakes are at their highest. At present Spurs are seven points ahead of the corresponding fixtures last season and to maintain that record they must win against Villa as they took three points from them with a win at White Hart Lane last year.
Tottenham supporters are hoping for another three points to help them achieve their goal of a win over Villa.
- The presence of Ledley King at the heart of their defence. Since King's unexpected return to the side for the victory at Wolves, Spurs are undefeated in eight games, winning seven of them. King has been present for seven of those matches and the only match from which they failed to take maximum points was the draw at Newcastle when King had to leave the pitch after half an hour. Such is the importance of King to the team that in his his last 11 League appearances, Spurs are undefeated with 10 wins. The last time Ledley King experienced defeat in the Premier League is almost fifteen months ago when Wigan Athletic unexpectedly won at White Hart Lane by a solitary goal in August, 2010. Since that reverse, King in his injury plagued season managed four wins - against Wolves and Fulham in September/October and in the season's final two matches against Liverpool and Birmingham. King's commanding play brings a much needed assurance to the defence, leaving everyone amazed that he is able to perform at such a consistently high level when he has to spend most of the time between matches recovering from the rigours of the game.
- The recovery of Rafael Van der Vaart from the injury sustained last weekend. Spurs revival has come on the back of the six goals scored by Rafael Van der Vaart in five successive matches following his early return from a previous injury. He scored the opening goal in the first four games which gave the team reward for their play and something to battle for and protect. Four of his goals have been away from home so fans will be hoping that he has recovered from the injury he received in the Holland match last weekend and that he maintains his home scoring form having scored in the last two matches against QPR and Arsenal. Van der Vaart is a player who is unpredictable and with a flash of inspiration, a delicate touch or a fantastic strike can transform a game with a much needed goal for himself or a colleague. Last season he scored all four of Spurs' goals against Villa as they won both games by a 2 - 1 scoreline. There is inspiration all around him but fans will be hoping that his influence and enthusiasm will have a positive affect on the game and the result. Van der Vaart's most recent Tweet has assured fans that he has recovered.
- The return of Harry Redknapp. As many had expected, it is anticipated that Harry Redknapp will return to his managerial duties against Villa, less than three weeks after undergoing heart surgery. The initial recovery time was estimated as two weeks but then it was extended to six on his doctor's advice. However, Redknapp ever eager to be involved appears to be in a position to return to regain the control which he handed over for that short period to Kevin Bond and Joe Jordan. Harry Redknapp has an enthusiasm for football and he has gathered around him a squad of players who are responding to his ways and are playing some of the best football that Spurs have played in a very long time. Hopefully, his return will bring a further response from the players and achieve the right result from a Tottenham viewpoint.
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