The home side entertain Tottenham at 5.30pm on Boxing Day, knowing that they have just recorded one win in their last nine fixtures on the same date. Gerrard Houllier's men will be confident after recording a 2-1 win against local rivals West Bromwich Albion in their last game a fortnight ago, but Spurs will provide a much sterner test.
Villa fans would be forgiven for not being too optimistic for the visit of Harry Redknapp's in-form side as their team have not kept a clean sheet in their last seven Premier League games, with the win against West Brom only their fourth league victory of the season.
Houllier's reign has not started as smoothly as he would have hoped, with fans expecting the club to challenge for the European spots, not to be embroiled in a possible relegation battle. With rumours of a January clear-out on the way, a win against Spurs would be the perfect tonic for Villa fans hoping their side can begin to climb the table.
