Spurs new boys set for debuts

Tottenham are set to give debuts to Russia striker Roman Pavlyuchenko and Croatia defender Verdan Corluka when they look to climb off the bottom of the Premier League table against Aston Villa on Monday.

Corluka, who played in Croatia’s 4-1 World Cup qualifying defeat at home to England on Wednesday, is set to replace the injured Alan Hutton at right-back for Monday’s match here at White Hart Lane.

Meanwhile, Pavlyuchenko will hope to take the striking position vacated by Dimitar Berbatov following the Bulgaria international’s transfer deadline day move to champions Manchester United.

Villa defender Carlos Cuellar could make his debut for the Midlands club following a calf problem but midfielder Steve Sidwell may miss out after sustaining a knee injury playing for the reserves.

However, Sidwell’s fellow midfielder Craig Gardner could feature after withdrawing from the England Under-21 squad with a hamstring injury.