By the sound of it, Harry Redknapp is eager to return to the technical area, following heart surgery. The craving to be involved in the game is sharp for any manager, but there is a particular attraction for one whose side is doing well. Tottenham have not been beaten in the league since the crushing 5-1 loss to Manchester City at White Hart Lane in August. Following that result, the team appear to have found flamboyance, scoring two goals or more in each of the eight league fixtures that have followed. Villa have not won away this season. Kevin McCarra
Venue White Hart Lane, Monday 8pm
Tickets Sold out
Last season Tottenham 2 Aston Villa 1
Referee Mark Halsey
This season's matches 5 Y15, R0, 3.00 cards per game
Odds Tottenham 4-7 Aston Villa 6-1 Draw 10-3
Tottenham
Subs from Cudicini, Gomes, Falqué, Rose, Pavlyuchenko, Giovani, Defoe, Bassong, Kranjcar, Corluka, Sandro, Livermore
Doubtful Corluka (ankle), King (knee), Van der Vaart (hamstring)
Injured Dawson (achilles, 18 Dec), Huddlestone (ankle, 26 Dec), Gallas (calf, unknown)
Suspended None
Form guide WWWDWW
Disciplinary record Y14 R0
Leading scorer Van der Vaart 6
Aston Villa
Subs from Guzan, Ireland, Delph, Clark, Albrighton, Cuéllar, Weimann, Gardner, Bannan, Lowry, Baker
Doubtful Agbonlahor (hamstring)
Injured Delfouneso (hamstring, 3 Dec), Lichaj (hip, unknown)
Suspended None
Ineligible Jenas (terms of loan)
Form guide WDLLWD
Disciplinary record Y23 R1
Leading scorers Agbonlahor, Bent 5
Match pointers
• Villa have dropped the most points from winning positions (nine) but have also recouped the most (four) when trailing
• Rafael van der Vaart scored all four of Tottenham's goals in their 2-1 home and away wins against Villa last season – Marc Albrighton also got both of the Villa goals
• Gabriel Agbonlahor has been booked in four of his last five appearances away from home
• Despite losing their first two matches, 22 points from 10 games still represents Tottenham's best ever start to a Premier League season
• Stilian Petrov has made more interceptions (43) this term than any other player
• Brad Friedel has made the joint most saves (46) in the division despite Tottenham having played one game less than most other teams
