Data supplied by the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index. Select and manage your own team of stars at http://fantasy.premierleague.com/ or with FIFA Ultimate Team for FIFA 15.

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Tottenham will be eager to get back to winning ways this weekend, having being held in a goalless stalemate against Burnley last weekend. Spurs are still in good form though, having won three of their past five matches and they’ll be looking to pick up another three points here to help them leapfrog fifth placed Liverpool.

Spurs will be hoping for another big performance from their shot stopper Hugo Lloris. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index can reveal that the French international keeper has racked up 94 saves so far this season, at an average of 2.09 saves per goal conceded. He will be looking to further increase that ratio with his second clean sheet in a row this weekend.

In the middle of the park, Chrisitan Eriksen is having a fantastic season in the white of Tottenham. The Denmark international has completed a squad best 350.06km so far this term, helping him to rack up a squad best 934 passes in the opposition area. He has also been in great goal scoring form, racking up nine for the season so far, including five from outside the area.

Up top, Harry Kane has continued his brilliant season for Spurs, going from strength to strength. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index can reveal that he has netted 19 times in the league this season, averaging a goal every 103 minutes. Hard work is also proving key for Kane, who has even won 31 tackles this season, 67.4% of his overall attempts. He is 43/50 to score anytime with 888sport.com.

Aston Villa will be relieved that a Christian Benteke hat trick prevented their relegation rivals QPR from picking up all three points on Tuesday night, and will look to build on the point gained. Villa will look to emulate the success that they had at the beginning of March, winning back-to-back games against West Brom and Sunderland, and look to build momentum once more at the crunch end of the season.

Villa will be hoping for a big performance from their shot stopper Brad Guzan. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index can reveal that the American keeper has racked up 95 saves so far this campaign, at an average of 2.11 saves per goal conceded. He will be hoping to deliver a clean sheet in front of the Villa faithful to boost their hopes of survival.

At the back, Villa will be looking to their centre back Ciaran Clark to lead the line. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index can reveal that he has won 39 tackles already this season, winning 84.8% of his overall attempts, whilst also amassing 194 clearances, making 45 interceptions and 23 blocks.

Going forward, Christian Benteke will be hoping for a repeat performance from Tuesday night. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index can reveal that Benteke completed 75% of his 60 passes on Tuesday, winning both of his tackles and hitting the target with 60% of his five shots. More importantly, he converted all three of his shots on target, and will be hoping to deliver the goods again on Saturday. He is 23/10 to score anytime with 888sport.com.

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Matt Turvey
Matt is the owner of, and chief writer for, Aston Villa Life. He is also a columnist for the Wolverhampton Express & Star, appearing in the Kick Off pullout on Saturdays and the Final Whistle pullout the Monday after Aston Villa play, as well as every Thursday as a blogger on their website. He has previously been featured as a writer on Football365 and Life's A Pitch, and was a regular pundit for Sports Tonight TV on Sky.

Comments 105

  2. steamer

    Ree,
    It was in a couple of rags, can’t remember which ones but definite, it surprised me too.

    I’ve never been a fan of Given but i hope he starts today, Guzan looks a little disheartened at the moment. It’ll be interesting what team TS CAN put out today, we can only hope they perform.
    When you read on the last post that we’ve only won three home games all season and put it against all of the clubs negative records since Lerner arrived then it sickens you, this is more than incompetence its scandalous and if Lerner AND Fox had any shame they’d beg forgiveness and sod off to that culture free zone where they ought to have stayed.

  3. Ree Khalid

    Steamer – I just hope we dont replace them with vultures such as Gillet & Hicks.

    I really rate Eriksen, think hes a brilliant player, but he seems to go through quiet spells. Cant really remember him affecting a game properly for a long time. They do have a lot of quality midfielders so it will be tough. They have decent defenders too, Walker is out and we all know he aint exactly a great defender so that might actually work out for them. Spurs will press high up with a high back line so there is gonna be space in behind for Gabby to exploit. We need to deny them any space in midfield and try win the ball back high up the pitch, if we do that our counters will be deadly.

    I feel like this game will be won or lost all based on the mindsets of the players. If Spurs play as if they had nothing to play for, and we show more hunger and determination we can definitely win the game. I dont think we will go there with a defensive mindset like we did against Utd, but we do need to be better organised in defence. Having only 1 striker to deal with will make it easier imo, Hopefully TS will not change the formation either. Delph and Sanchez need to make sure they mark the runs from deep. I think its gonna be a scoring draw.

    1-1 UTV

  4. Jenny Truman

    There’s alot of focus on the Pocitino v Sherwood vanity contest – but perhaps that’s good as it takes the players out of the limelight , save for Harry Kane of course. As talk sport, just said TS is in a win win situation , if THS win they are his protégées and if we win – it’s down to him as manager . Odds are
    5-1 Villa 6-10 THS . I think with Benteke’s blistering form , the fact that Kyle Walker and Lloris is out (even though article said he’s playing ???) Tom has got us scoring so in gojng fir a 2-3 villa win . Lots of goals scored and conceded .

  15. steamer

    Don’t worry Ron, he’s one of those players with obvious weaknesses and equally obvious strengths, pillock one minute hero the next.

  16. steamer

    To be honest i was looking at Spuds team before ko and i wondered what all the fuss was about, they have expensive players but most aren’t worth the money, if it wasn’t for Kanes goals they’d be in the same position as us.

  18. Rags

    Great first half from everybody except Sanchez, that was one hell of an inept midfield display, he’s a detriment to the team.

  19. Ree Khalid

    Yeh thats what Im worried about Steamer!

    Great half though, great pressing play not giving Spurs any space. Grealish not allowing the deep playmaker to pick up the ball from the CB’s easily. They cant play through their midfield.

    We look really dodgy defensively though. Clarke off and Baker on, his partnership with Vlaar looking shaky too. Vlaar has stepped up twice when he shouldnt have. Richardson and Bacuna not exactly rock solid as expected. Props to Bacuna for that cross, and who saw the two left footed crossfield balls he did? Didnt know he had that in his locker, maybe its a fluke.

    Great header by Benteke. Our midfield 3 has been brilliant, led by Delph. Towards the end of the half we kept possession for fun with some nice touches.

    Can we keep it up tho?

  20. Ree Khalid

    Not sure about that Rags, seen him do 1 thing really wrong giving the ball away in a real dangerous place, but besides that he has been pretty good breaking up the play.

  21. Ree Khalid

    Could have done with a bit more luck with Gabby hitting the post. Spurs will definitely come at us this half. Hope we use the ball intelligently. Maybe its worth going a narrow 4-4-1-1 after 15/20 mins just to stop their fullbacks, but we would lose something in attack.

  33. steamers75

    Steamer will be at yours 6 mate , Chris is coming as it will be his last time out for 2 weeks before the fight , girls are happy and lv told them his corner (that’ll be you) a 25 year old former model will be with him ,

    now lads how about a meet up in worcs found a descent pub that has strongbow dark fruit on tap . me ,steamer and B62 could meet at new st and get train . Geds not far away either ,and Jenny could get there as well, just a thought
    l thought 2-1 villa , but 1-0 will do me ,

  36. steamer

    Glad Vlaar had a stormer, i think a lot of criticism was bought on by refusing to sign a contract but you can’t deny he’s a very useful player.

  45. Ree Khalid

    Great result – never thought we could hang on! But defensively Vlaar and Baker were great second half, esp Baker some great clearing headers from those dangerous corners.

    Sanchez red and the two injuries the bad thing. Hopefully the injuries are not bad. Great set of results from the other fixtures too, perfect day as far as results go so far. Need Arsenal to round it up.

    Delph MOTM for me, he was outstanding.

  46. Ian

    That was nice. It looked like a hockey game towards the last couple of minutes. Every now and then things go your way. Sanchez was doing just fine up to the red. Pity. Good effort. 🙂

  47. James Gill

    what a result and all went for us just need gunners chelsea big wins
    benteke my man of match followed close by vlar delph good performances from most first 11 subs still scare mre wiemen looks scared when he gets ball doesn t want it either ,cole like playing with 10 men
    my stream stopped 30 seconds past 5 mins injury time and couldnt get sky for what seemed an age
    up the villa

  48. Rags

    Sanchez is a liability, he will cost us points time and time again. Enough of the negativity though from me. What a performance, the way the boys were throwing their bodies on the line in injury time against the fittest team in the league was a joy to behold and I’m delighted and proud to support Aston Villa.

  51. Ree Khalid

    Jesus didnt realise Leicester won 3-2. It brings the baggies back into the picture! they’ve got tough games coming up, they needed to win this one. Leicester making a fight out of it.

    Still a really good day for us. One more win and we’re practically safe!

  52. Ian

    The ref was a liability. To both teams actually. What are the refs like in the Championship? Maybe they should be relegated too.

  54. Paul Pears

    Could be real scrap now out of Burnley Leics and Qpr, while leaving WBA , Hull and Blunderland to keep slipping further down…..

    We just need to keep winning…!!!

  55. Ian

    It would be nice to see the Wolves and Rams get promoted. That with Leicester staying up. 5 teams from the midlands in the Prem would be nice.

  58. Rags

    Steamer,

    I hope he did too mate, honestly I barely noticed Mason was on the pitch; what a hype job. I think Benteke is a bit more motivated for Spurs games due to them snubbing him @ £25 Mil for Soldado couple of years ago.

  61. Heroes-and-Villans

    Wow i dont believe it. Its kept us alive.

    Need qpr and burnley to loose and we would of got away with the qpr balls up.

    Also need to wait till the games in hand are equal.

    Like mark says least we can look forward to wembley a bit more

  67. steamer

    Rags,
    Agree with Burnley.

    Wonder how long it’ll be before Lambert claims credit for Wembley and survival ?
    Ian,
    Glad you didn’t mention the vermin in that lot.

  69. Frem

    Ha. What a day. Just got back in from a Wolf Run. Hell on earth

    And then on the radio on the way home it said we were winning :0

    And now Burnley losing. Sunderland and Hull lost

    Well done Villa boys. Can’t wait to see football first

  70. Paul Pears

    QPR could cause problems at Chelski tomorrow…..A point would be good, then Chelski would need to sharpen up in some of their remaining fixtures, needing Arsenal to win all of theirs.

    I would like Burnley to survive too, so long as it is not at our expense.

  71. Paul Pears

    Interesting, Somerset Lions thought they spotted me at WHL today wearing a no7 shirt, so now I know there is a least one more Pears who is a Villa fan…!!!

  73. John Clark

    Obviously a massive win…could easily have been 3-0. The team are feeling like they can and will score.

    Despite the misses, Villa didn’t get disheartened, stayed dogged, bothered Spurs all around, and even got the clean sheet. I though Vlaar had a great game, Tekkers has found his touch, and great engines in midfield. Really good, positive start set the tone.

    What I like is that Villa are in a much more positive place than either Hull or Sunderland. Sunderland are in real trouble, I think.

  74. John Clark

    Weimann…think it was just a case of fresh legs, shoring things up a bit. He does put in effort, if nothing else. And TS is probably thinking that as thin as things are, Andi probably needs to keep getting run-outs in case he has to be called on.

  75. RichardS

    I was at WHL today – i thought we were great.

    Benteke was unplayable – the defence was solid and the midfield looked good – especially Delph and Cleverly.

    Well done the Villa boys.

  76. Ian

    Hey Steamer, I was wondering if you u would notice the absence of BC. Had a grin when I wrote it. Weimann needs his confidence a boost. That’s all. he came close today. Not a fancy move in him all meat and potatoes. TS is happy with him. Not banished like Lambert would at this point.

  77. Mark King

    Ian- not like nzogbia and Gil one out of favor the other never been in favor. I’m glad Grealish has been given his head though, always thought he needed to start to put a stamp on a game. now sanchez is out wish gardener was available

  78. Paul Pears

    Agree with Ian and JC,

    We need to keep Weimann match fit, we are so thin on the ground, we will be lucky to field eleven fit players each week. Cannot believe today’s results, all going our way…We should end up above the baggies now..!!!

    Felt almost sorry for Burnley they tried so hard, and with a little more luck, could have scraped an equaliser, but now I want Arsenal to go no and give Chelsea a run for their money..!!

    If QPR pull off a shock tomorrow, it will be even more interesting, then their purple patch will be over, as there is no way that they could manage more than 3 wins on the trot..!!

  79. Jenny Truman

    My posts keep disappearing ? So sorry if I’m repeating myself . Fantastic win for AV – could only see first half as had my sis call unexpectedly – straining my ears and couldn’t believe we’d held on to the lead . Benteke was brilliant – and from what I saw we were the better team all round . Couldn’t believe how well our defence did – even stopping Harry Kane getting his 30 th prem league goal .
    Excellent .

    I’m in for the Worcester meet up – that’s very kind !!!

  80. Jenny Truman

    Oh and my sis brought my nephew round who is a Hull supporter – I felt so sorry for him as they lost .
    I am taking him to the Everton game for his birthday – he’s never been to a premier league game before so really looking forward to that – will be around for a pre match drink too 🙂

  81. Paul Pears

    Really looking forward to Wembley and being at the next home game against Everton……It cant take me as long to get to Villa Park next time…!!!!…..Four hours is a record I do not wish to break again, hopefully it will be back to the normal two hours..!!

    Would love to meet up with everyone before the end of the season..!!

  82. James Gill

    hopeful chelsea can beat qpr tomorrow then we can go to wembly without fear
    if sherwood stays in summer depending on sale he will have an awful lot of players to ship out and bring in
    just read this line on tvb
    lambert said some of his former players shot him in the back well most of his players would have missed

  83. Trinity

    James
    “”lambert said some of his former players shot him in the back well most of his players would have missed”

    Lol. It’s hard to blame them given that they were apparently being bullied by thugs acting as coaches.

    Wonder if Lambert would still be at Villa if his strikers had all been fit earlier in the season? It’s academic, now. IGreat to see Benteke scoring regularly. I hope he scores at Wembley, but I’d like to see Gabby ruffle the net.

    Great to get the Spuds’ hoodoo off our backs, been a while between victories, 6-7 years?

  84. Frem

    Just watched footy first. We were great. Tactics spot on. Loved the diamond. We will do the same on Sunday.

    Love Sherwood. He was muttering ” Please, please, please ” to him self. So glad we held on for him

    UTV

  85. Mark King

    interesting to hear tim say this, love it

    “I went to Old Trafford recently and tried something a little bit different and I didn’t like myself for it to be honest.”

    “I thought we should have a go. If we’re going to do down let’s go down swinging.”

  86. Heroes-and-Villans

    i dont get the love in with burnley and dyche for manager of the year.

    See burnley play and its like stoke under pulis and there in the bottom 3 prob go down….whats so great about him.

    Pardew should get it….nothing short of a miracle what hes done at palace.

    If we are 6 clear end of next weekend and out of the relegation zone after the man city game i will believe we are safe.

    1 win and a draw should do it….the home games everton and west ham should do it

  87. Heroes-and-Villans

    I saw him say that mark and loved it!

    Interesting to see lester playing the same…getting bodies in the box and attacking all be it with worse players than us.

    Footy aint rocket science….take note mr lambert.

    Get em motivated, confident and have abloody go!

  88. Heroes-and-Villans

    Frem

    The diamond is great for us…love it. Gets the best out of our players.

    Glad we ditched the 442 to be honest…..its gone out with the ark and in modern footy midfield battle is everything and 442 leaves us over run.

    still relys on our full backs to attack but thats modern footy….tis why bacuna is doing ok. Can be a mixed bag but the lad gets involved and does makes things happen.

    Superb to see grealish starting games and pray he can live up to the hype. Should be so confident now and start assisting and geting the odd goal. Going towatch footy first and study him

  89. RichardS

    All hail Christian Benteke – he is the bomb. Spurs could not handle him. I hope the new owners come in at the end of the season and sort him out a new contract.

  90. John Lerwill

    I’m reading and hearing (TV) that people are saying that Lambert didn’t have availability of his strikers earlier in the season.

    Though Benteke was out for a lengthy time, I recall he was around for long enough to get back into form, but Lambert’s tactics stifled any creativity and Benteke really looked a forlorn soul by the time Lambert left.

    Now we have had CB scoring 8 in 6. See the difference a forward-looking manager produces?

    Anyone still finding excuses for the previous management must be feeling desperate i.m.o.

  91. Frem

    Good morning. A great morning. A good day of football

    I’d like Vlaar to stay. He’s a very good player at his best. Baker, Okore and Clark I hope all stay as well. We just need to keep them fit all next season

    Full back and Keeper area we are desperate to add to( I hope)

    I’d sign Cleverley and Sinclair up.

    We need a striker, a top striker. Sack Wiemann

    Andrew- Not sure 442 has gone just yet. It needs a lot of work to do but I think TS will work a lot on it in the summer

  92. Mark King

    JL- I agree although its taken a few games under TS for the real benteke to arrive. remember before the internationals he went off injured and wasn’t that great from my recall. On his return from the Belgium team and after the manure match he’s suddenly unplayable. he had the most touches of all our players yesterday and suddenly he’s finding himself plenty of space,he bully’s players and is precise in everything he does?! its puzzling as we have seen this benteke under Lambert in his first season when we were pretty poor, maybe his fitness/injury woes are finally behind him? As for the general team play and moral its night and day under TS that is evident. TS has told benteke to conserve his energy apparently yet he looked to be doing more than ever.
    One thought, bentekes upturn in form couldn’t be due to Jacks inclusion could it? apparently when jack was told he was starting he told TS its about time and I agree, just wish we had Gardner available to us now Sanchez is out.

  93. Mark King

    Frem- watched palace yesterday we could do worse than buy Bolasie and Murray especially if we lose tekkers. Murry is a monster I can see why pulis and Pardew have done well there. also would take a few Watford players if they don’t come up.

  94. John Lerwill

    Mark,

    Of course injury issues are involved, and there cannot be a coincidence that his recovery has occurred since TS arrived and his reorganisation of Villa’s play. And the state of an injury can always be worsened according to the state of mind the player is in.

    Not long ago we were complaining about the quality of centres and deadball kicks, but that area has become much improved, thereby servicing Benteke in a far more effective way.

  95. Mark King

    JL- really wish we could sort the left back situation out as Richardson is not the answer. Bakuna appears to be the basket we are chucking all our eggs in at the moment for supply.
    If clarke is fit I would keep vlaar and baker together, play clarke at left back and bring Okore into DM for sanchez.

    alternatively play bakuna in cleverlys position and cleverly in sanchez’s, clarke and lowton as fullbacks

    interesting analysis

    http://7500toholte.sbnation.com/2015/4/12/8391199/tactical-analysis-tottenham-hotspur-0-1-aston-villa-things-learned-tim-sherwood

  96. Clive Evans

    Wow – what a relief! I was worried that if I watched the whole match live, or on demand next morning, my nerves would be shattered. So I decided to cut out the agonies and watch MOTD instead; glad I did as I’m not sure my nerves would not be shredded over 55 minutes of holding on to a 1 goal lead.
    The keystone of our diamond shot himself in the foot with that tackle, so who goes there?
    My one worry is that, allowing for the fact we let in so many goals off corners, we don’t as a matter of course put men on the posts and they stay there!
    Enjoy the game next week those who have tickets and may I extend a welcome to anyone who wants to visit Thailand. I don’t live near the fleshpots of Pattaya, Samui or Phuket but in the ‘real’ Thailand at Pranburi. There’s at least 2 Villa fans within a 25 km radius!
    UTV

  97. steamer

    Nice to read so many happy comments. Just read the comments on the Guardian site, which in my opinion is the best out there, mainly Spuds fans but very complimentary about Villa, its a site that has humour, both subtle and cuthroat, i’d recommend a squint.
    Lambert is a total knob, talentless and unprincipled, not worth anyones sympathy, just a few happy clappers who won’t admit they know nothing about footy or Villa and are totally wrong in their assessment of him.
    Hope everyone has a ticket for next week and has an enjoyable day out with the right result, we have players who deserve Wemberlee and i certainly hope Clark is fit after his sterling efforts this season.

  99. Mark King

    could be clive although bents usually a lone poacher type, not sure how derby play him. if tekkers is on his last year he will be sold if the new owners cant convince him to resign.

  100. B62 Villa

    Great performance yesterday, great result even Danny Kelly on TS was talking up the away fans, best he’s seen after last season( last away game fancy dress) and yesterday. We head to Wembley in high spirits and on the back of a win in N Laaaaanden, we are decimated by injuries though and it will be tough, but a day out that I’m looking forward to. On that note where is everyone drinking pre game?? I know St75 and co are going to Kilburn, but my train won’t get in early enough to get over there and back( and would waste valuable ale time), I’m thinking nearer the ground, like the green man or a couple if the hotels at our end of the ground. My day is pretty much sorted before that Breakfast and a few beers in town, 1015 train( with large carry out) arriving wembley 1215 returning 2000 hopefully having won!!!
    Worcester meet up sounds good, ST75 mate I’m gutted I can’t make Chris fight in Brum, my pay off for going the semi and then away in Devon with work the next few days is taking the missus away for the weekend, WSM and Cardiff( I know she is lucky 😉 ) But don’t worry the little un will have his Villa kit on especially if we win

  102. @RonnieBiggs

    Mark/Steamer,

    Agreed Clark has been excellent this season perhaps our player of the year if it was measured on commitment and consistency.

    Wouldn’t play him at FB though as in the modern game fullbacks need to be wingers and that he’s not (Criches today for Spuds makes my point).

    If Vlaar is fit and you want to make sure Clark still gets in then you’d have to think about playing 3 centre backs.

    I’d consider Vlaar Clark Baker at the back. Grealish Delph Cleverley in midfield. And play too Wingers who’s job is to tirelessly run the channels all day to both create offense and cover for the back 3: Bacuna and Richardson and if they tire then Lowton and Weimann sub them off after 60 mins. Benteke and Gabby up front!

    UTV

  103. Mark King

    ronnie- as Richardson didn’t really give us anything going forward and is poor defensively Clarke would be my insurance. he played there earlier in the season and was quite good going forward too. As Bakuna is more or less employed as a wing back it would pretty much be a back three anyhow without the weak link at leftback.
    put Okore in front of that who is no slouch and can pass would give cleverly and delph more stability to get forward and support grealish, gabby and tekkers.
    just a thought as sturridge would tear Richardson apart

  104. @RonnieBiggs

    Fair enough mate,
    Although it wouldn’t have to be Richardson (who I think is quite a good two way player on his day) and could be Lowton (Sturridge is going to tear most fullbacks apart when he’s on form anyway) and you do have 3 centrebacks already protecting Guzan.

    Okore is quite a mobile and football playing CB so he might be worth trying out as holding MFer but it’s hard to say until he’s proven he can do it at this level; Sanchez is prone to giving the ball away at times but he is very mobile and manages to cover for his brain lapses not unlike Bacuna with that extra gear of speed.

    It comes down to individual performances on the day and my main takeway from the MON years was his belief that footballers make formations rather than formations making footballers which is why you need players with a decent level of football IQ or you’re forked.

    Bring on Wemberlee!
    Off to enjoy my Sunday.
    UTV

  105. steamer

    Gabby’s got a hammy, can’t see him being available ( notice not fit, available ), lots of hammies recently, wots up ?
    Possibly Okore in MF as Mark suggests, fancy coming up against Vlaar, Clark, Baker and Okore. ‘Spose it all depends on who’s fit.
    As Trinity mentioned, loathesome Lambert is buck passing by accusing some of his players of shooting him in the back, he should sod off back under the stone he crawled from behind and count his undeserved pay off, the ultimate scumbag who should have been booted after the 8-0 at Chelsea, just can’t speak lowly enough of him.

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