O’Neill: Tottenham Hotspur are ahead of Aston Villa in top four chase

Nov 27 2009 by Mathew Kendrick, Birmingham Mail

MARTIN O’Neill today revealed that he rates Tottenham as stronger favourites than Villa to break into the Champions League places, ahead of tomorrow’s clash of the top-four rivals.

Harry Redknapp’s Spurs arrive at Villa Park for the tea-time encounter in fourth spot, three points better off than fifth-placed Villa after 13 Premier League games.

And in-form Tottenham also boast superior goal difference following their 9-1 annihilation of Wigan at White Hart Lane last Sunday – a match which O’Neill attended.

A third of the way into the season, Villa have kept themselves in contention and even climbed up to fourth temporarily after battling to earn a 1-1 draw at Burnley.

But O’Neill insists that Spurs and Manchester City remain in pole position when it comes to ending the stranglehold of Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool.

“I think Manchester City are very strong and Tottenham have proved they are very strong,” said O’Neill.

“I would say those two would be stronger favourites than ourselves.

“I see it being hard for anyone to break into the top four. Let’s just see if we can hang in there until Christmas. We still have seven or so Premier League fixtures until then and the cup tie against Portsmouth.

“It is difficult but I don’t think there is any more resilience about the side this year, because I felt there was plenty of it until February time last season.”

O’Neill was at White Hart Lane to watch Spurs wallop Wigan last weekend and was impressed with England striker Jermain Defoe, who helped himself to five goals.

But the Villa boss warned that his team cannot afford to concentrate on just one dangerman, because Redknapp’s team have a host of attacking players to watch out for.

“I went to the game and I thought Tottenham were very good indeed.” said O’Neill.

“Defoe is definitely a goal scorer, no question about that. He looked very dangerous but then Crouch played well, as did Lennon and Kranjcar.

“We know it will be a very tough game for us.”