Villa boss: No margin for error in clash with rivals Tottenham

Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill has warned his players that they cannot afford to fall further behind Tottenham as both club's push for a Champions League place.

O'Neill said: "The Tottenham game is a big, big game for us.

"Tottenham have been going great. They have some real quality players and have got strength in depth, which perhaps they may have lacked a couple of years ago.

"It augurs well for them as they played very well in the FA Cup replay up at Leeds and they will be ready for our match.

"They are a very fine side as they proved here at Villa Park not so long ago.

"It is up to us but I think we are a fine side ourselves. The results we have had recently may not completely have reflected the manner in which we have played.

"I'm thinking in particular about the games we had against Liverpool and West Ham when we might easily have had four points and finished with one.

"We were back on track again against Fulham. That was a difficult game for us to negotiate and it is up to us do the same on Saturday against Tottenham."

 
Click here for more Tottenham news and gossip