Tottenham boss Antonio Conte rates Hugo Lloris ahead of Aston Villa's Emi Martinez.

Lloris will come face to face again with Martinez on New Year's Day, when Tottenham host Aston Villa in the Premier League.

Martinez's penalty heroics sealed Argentina's 4-2 shoot-out win over Lloris' France in the World Cup final in Qatar.

"We are talking about two important goalkeepers, and Martinez is younger than Hugo," said Conte.

“I think Martinez played a really good World Cup, and he made important saves. He's a player that can continue to grow but he's a very good keeper.

"But in Hugo, we are talking about a champion in his role, his career speaks very clearly, and he won the World Cup.

“On Sunday I think the expectation would be to see both players play the game.

“Hugo's career speaks very clearly: we are talking about one of the best keepers in the world in the last 10 years.

“I can tell you only this, we would lose a lot of time in speaking about Hugo, a top goalkeeper and a top man especially. I think he will continue to play for many years."

A diplomatic Conte refused to be drawn on the Villa star's character however, stopping short of commenting on rival players' conduct.

“I have to be honest I don't like to speak about the players of other teams," said Conte.

“I don't like this, because I like to respect, and we're not talking about my player. I can talk to you only about technical aspects."