Premier League preview: Aston Villa v Tottenham

Tottenham Hotspur are daunting opponents for an Aston Villa side still struggling for consistency under Gerard Houllier.

Villa beat local rivals West Bromwich Albion 2-1 at home for only their fourth win of the season earlier in December, but the arrival of Spurs to Villa Park on Tuesday should pose a much sterner test.

Villa had an excellent opportunity to claim back-to-back wins with an away match against fellow strugglers Wigan, but the fixture was postponed due to bad weather, robbing Houllier of a chance to build momentum.

Tottenham also had their match away to promoted Blackpool postponed, meaning Spurs are yet to win in December. But they did manage a credible 1-1 draw against defending champions Chelsea at White Hart Lane in their last outing.

Harry Redknapp’s side, which beat local rivals Arsenal away from home for the first time in 17 years earlier this season, were unlucky not to win against Chelsea and will arrive at Villa Park full of confidence.

Central defender William Gallas is in doubt for the match, while none of Tom Huddlestone, Jermaine Jenas or Niko Kranjcar fit enough to play a part.

Ledley King, Jonathan Woodgate and Jamie O’Hara are also long-term absentees.

While Villa’s injury problems have eased of late, Houllier is still without influential captain Stiliyan Petrov.

Defender Luke Young and speedy front man Gabriel Agbonlahor are slight doubts, but both should recover from a groin strain and illness respectively.

Villa will need to be at their best to contain Tottenham, who have an abundance of creative talent at their disposal.

Luka Modric and Rafael van der Vaart can be expected to dictate play, Gareth Bale and Aaron Lennon will attack from the flanks, and the pace and instinctive finishing of Jermain Defoe is a constant threat up front.