Brad Friedel: Villa weren't fazed by Spurs' 9-1 defeat of Wigan

Nov 30 2009 by Mathew Kendrick, Birmingham Mail

BRAD Friedel insists Villa adopted a no-fear approach to taking on Tottenham despite their 9-1 annihilation of Wigan the previous weekend.

Friedel revealed that manager Martin O’Neill had warned his players not to be afraid of Spurs because the emphatic victory was a one-off result.

“I know they scored some good goals but also some not good ones on the defensive side of things by Wigan,” said Friedel.

“With the quality all along our backline we were quite confident we would be able to pose a much sterner opposition.

“That may have been a one-off when Wigan were at their worst and Tottenham at their very best, but we didn’t look too much at that.

“The gaffer pointed out in our team talk and when we were watching the video all the time and space Spurs were given by Wigan.

“He was saying a 9-1 scoreline is a big scoreline, but don’t be confused that it was the world’s best team.

“When you see a lop-sided score like that it is a one-off situation.

“If they had won their last ten or 12 games on the bounce by 4-0 or 5-0 then we might have taken more notice of it.”

Friedel, who pulled off a string of important saves, was glad that Villa were able to clinch a point after Tottenham’s second-half superiority.

“Tottenham were very good value in the second half,” he added.

“They were on the front foot and we were holding on but at least we didn’t lose.”