Data supplied by the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index. Select and manage your own team of stars at http://fantasy.premierleague.com/ or with FIFA Ultimate Team for FIFA 14.
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Following a sobering 2-0 defeat to West Ham, Spurs will want to win their final game of the season and secure 6th place in the League. Everton can no longer be caught as they boast a healthier goal difference and Manchester United could still steal 6th from Tottenham should Spurs lose and United win. Tim Sherwood was upset with his players’ character last weekend with Adebayor and Paulinho letting Stewart Downing’s free kick straight through the wall and into the net. Who knows if Sherwood will be manger next season but either way he will demand a strong final game of the season.

Kyle Naughton was statistically Tottenham’s most successful defender with 14 defensive contributions (blocks, clearances, interceptions and tackles). The young defender also made eight tackles, more than any other Spurs player. In a game that was closely contested it was West Ham’s set pieces that separated the two teams.

Denmark’s Christen Eriksen has been Tottenham’s most successful summer signing and continued his form making three attacking contributions (shots on target, crosses, dribbles and assists), the most in the team. The Dane also made the most passes (28) showing he will be key to Tottenham’s success next season, he is an industry best 5/2 to score at anytime during the game with 888sport.com.

Tottenham were unable to create many clear-cut chances in the game against the Hammers. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index shows that Spurs only provided two crosses in the whole game and only three shots on target. Defender, Danny Rose, showed his ability in attack and defence against West Ham with two shots and also 12 defensive contributions, only bettered by Kyle Naughton.

Paul Lambert’s side secured Premier League status against Hull last weekend with a 3-1 win. That was their first win in seven matches, however they could not continue their winning run against a rampant Manchester City on Wednesday night. Villa held off City for the first half but the floodgates opened on 79 minutes with Dzeko scoring the first of four goals.

Villa spent most of the game keeping Man City at bay and managed only one shot throughout the whole game, which was off target. Against Hull it was Andreas Weimann who scored two of the three goals and with six attacking contributions, no Villa player created more chances. He had a much quieter night against City but still made the most attacking contributions (2). Weimann will want to finish the season on the score sheet and is an industry best 7/2 to score at anytime with 888sport.com.

Fabian Delph is a contender for Aston Villa’s player of the season with solid performances all year. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index shows Delph has played a key role in Villa’s midfield and made the most passes against Hull (26) and against Man City (14).

In the centre of defence Ron Vlaar made 13 defensive contributions against City. The club’s captain has been solid in defence this season and has madethe most defensive contributions all season (349). Vlaar will want his side to improve next season to ensure they do not get dragged into the relegation fight again.

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Matt Turvey
Matt is the owner of, and chief writer for, Aston Villa Life. He is also a columnist for the Wolverhampton Express & Star, appearing in the Kick Off pullout on Saturdays and the Final Whistle pullout the Monday after Aston Villa play, as well as every Thursday as a blogger on their website. He has previously been featured as a writer on Football365 and Life's A Pitch, and was a regular pundit for Sports Tonight TV on Sky.

Comments 103

  1. Jenny Truman

    Going for a draw . Has anyone else noticed how Kyle Walker has not improved since his time with us . May be coincidence but every gave I have seen him in this season he’s been poor. He hadn’t fulfilled the great potential he showed when he was with us .

  2. steamer

    Hello all,
    Is the nightmare over ? we’ll soon find out. I see Lambert is bulling up his affection for AVFC in an attempt to hang on to his job, nooooo way Jose, re-arrange the following words in the correct order, bike on, piss, and, off, yer.
    Lambert will probably keep the same mugs that got us in this hole and put Grealish and Robinson on with 30 seconds left so he can say he’s given the kids a chance. 1-0 to Spuds for me.

    Mark,
    Are you playing at that Cropready festival this year, saw the line up but no Boogiesnakes. Southside Johnny and the Asbury Dukes though, they were brilliant when i saw them at the Odeon several years ago, one of the best bands i’ve ever seen.

  4. Pete Gunn

    This is likely to be Lamberts last game in charge, and that’s 99% the best thing to happen. As bad as we consider him and Lerner to be, somehow we’re still in the Prem. Bringing Guzan back didn’t turn out to be madness. I don’t see Vlarr as sub standard to a Dunn, Collins, Davies etc. Benteke is the real deal for me, and god knows what he could do in a proper team. So I’m not in the mood to jump on Lambert’s grave. He choose to leave Norwich when many people questioned why going to Villa was such a great alternative given our well known change in attitude to spending. He obviously gets Villa are a club that should be competing with the Everton’s and Spuds of the world. If this is goodbye, I’m sorry you weren’t as good as we hoped Paul. We could yet get some value out of the Bacuna’s and Westwood’s of the world, and many even Tonev could learn to kick a ball in the direction he intends. Maybe we’ll be able to look back one day and say he did get a few things right (it’s just difficult to think that when you watch us play football)!!

  5. B62 Villa

    Another nightmare season draws to a close, this has been possibly the worst in living memory, eclipsing the dross of last year and even Mcleish .
    I expect more of the same today, another loss live on TV , more cryptic Scottish mumblings about the future of our once great club.
    The ITK are out in force, some saying were sold, all saying different owners, some proffering more doom as the current incumbents are staying in post, which will be the beginning of the end, and spell certain relegation.
    The future is uncertain, but as it stands it’s not the bright future we were all promised.
    Spurs will canter home easily today

  6. SuperBox

    Spurs have something to play for, we don’t. Can only see this going one way.

    This season hasn’t been stellar by any means but we have at least been privy to the constraints Lambert is working under. He hasn’t helped himself with some purchases and odd subs, but there have been some bright spots and good buys.

    The summer is going to be very interesting.

  7. Frem

    Just had a text telling me that in Thursdays New York Times saying that Lerners selling to LARRY ELLISON.

    Really ? 🙂

    Hopefully today is the last day of hell and we never see Randy Lambert again

    I’d like to see us attack. No 5 at the back. 4 4 2. Grealish, Robbinson etc

    No KEA, Baker. AAAAAAAAAATTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTAAAAAAAACCCCKKKKKKKKK

    SOS Ellison

  9. Frem

    Paul Lambert: ‘I love Aston Villa

    No. Fans love this club. A guy who gets his teams playing eye bleeding football doesn’t love the club. A man who lies in interviews doesn’t love the club. A man who shows no emotion doesn’t love this club.

    You would have walked if you loved this club and done whats best for AVFC. But you won’t get ££££££££££££ if you do that

  10. Mark King

    steamer

    no mate don’t walk in the right circles for that, they have what’s called the fringe in the Cropredy pubs and that’s a closed shop lately too. we will push on when the album comes out and afflict the public again. played Bloxfest a local village festival yesterday was like playing on the deck of the titanic it was that windy. thinking of borrowing josh’s dress and growing a beard after the Eurovision result 😉

    spuds v villa has thrown up some goal fests in its time so expect a few goals, if gabby plays I hope he’s properly fit otherwise give Grealish a go, in fact give him a go anyway

  11. steamer

    Totally agree Frem, Lambert wouldn’t know the truth if it bit him on the arse.
    The text came through about a minute before i posted, dunno if its true but the bloke is a rabid Villan who doesn’t BS, however someone may be tugging his tonker.

  13. Frem

    Think someone was having him on Steamer

    Merson saying what we all know, we need to be bought

    Hope lambert doesn’t park 11 double decker buses today like he usually does

  16. Jenny Truman

    Hey steamer , we could v been under the same roof all those years ago. I love Southside Johnnie and saw them in Birmingham 1992 . Not sure where it was though – remember wooden floorboards , dance floor , old fashioned stage – getting to the front and singing along embarrassingly to every line – great brass section – up beat joyful brilliant performers . Great audience and atmosphere too. I know it was 1992 because they were playing Bruce Springsteen “Human Touch ” when we went in and at the end – and it had only just been released. I will always remember that . I thought it was Town Hall or maybe the Institute in Digbeth though . Will go and put my Human Touch CD on whilst cooking lunch now !! 🙂 Maybe we could arrange a steamers / steamerettes, lifers away day to Southside Johnnie as a warm up to the amazing Mark King ensemble 🙂

  17. Jenny Truman

    Not sure spuds want to play in Europa league do they – Harry managed to avoid it artfully when he was there . I can see it being a low energy game – I may be switching over to the WH MC game if we do our usual .

  18. steamer

    The nearer it gets the more gut wrenching, if it doesn’t happen we’re buggered. It will though. Hells bells, morphing into Frem.

  19. runtings

    Wow it would be amazing to get Ellison n ot only the 5th richest man in the world but a guy that seems of good character and has given most of his wealth away to charities
    We would have to be greatful to randy for passing the club into the best hands possible if he has really pulled this one off imo

  20. Mark King

    Ellison does seem the best of the bunch and he does bring in other parties so maybe the texas consortium is where we are going, pre-season booked already don’t forget

  21. Frem

    Aston Villa Starting 11: Guzan, Lowton, Vlaar(C), Baker, Bertrand, Bacuna, Westwood, Delph, Weimann, Bowery, Agbonlaho

    The sooner the twat leaves the better. Could be different and exciting in today’s line up, but nope. No Tonev, grealish, Helenius or robbinson. Feck of Lambert

    Steamer- It is worrying. If it doesn’t happen now, other clubs will get new owners and improve whilst we keep going backwards under LAmbert and Randy. It will be a walk in the park for Spurs

  22. Mark King

    frem

    think about it mate Southampton and Swansea will get their best players taken as will we unless money comes in. similar for Everton, spurs wont have loads to spend either. palace will lose players too. man utd will be offloading players as will city. chelski will be big spenders and maybe arsenal too. there is loads of money from the tele deals so it will be one hell of a free for all.

  23. Frem

    Mark-there are some top players from those club you mention we could get if we get a new owner. Nani, michu, bony, Barry etc Chelsea have a load of loaned out players we could get with ambitious owners

    WBA better not finish above us

  32. Frem

    Fair play to the away fans

    We want our villa back
    Sacked in the morning
    How shit must you be, you’ve only scored 3
    Let’s pretend we scored a goal

    I want spurs to get another few just so randy or the owner can confirm lambert is shit

  34. B62 Villa

    Don’t worry lads, our away form is great if you believe some!!!!
    5th straight away loss, conceded 7 goals this week alone, thank fuck this is the end of this seasons torture, Lambert should fall on his sword, as soon as the whistle blows( quite literally on the half way line), away fans singing were shit and we know we are, and Your getting sacked in the morning.
    Worst Villa side ever , worst manager

  35. Mark King

    shame about the own goal and pen but outclassed anyhow, no edge up front.

    gabby switched to right, Grealish out left, Weiman and robinson up top delph westwood in the middle.

  38. thevilla23

    Im just laughing its that bad im just relieved we have all been put out of our misery well we will be in 45 mins time no way he can stay any of them that includes most of the squad minus guzan,vlaar,lowton,delph,westy,gabby and only delph is nearly good enough to start week in week out

  43. thevilla23

    Does anyone else remeber when Lambert joined and he compared his style to Dortmund saying he wanted young,hungry players to play with high intensity and dominate football matches

  46. B62 Villa

    People are panicking now that there will be no takeover, we are the worst team in this league, if the league were to go on any longer we would have gone, thank god we fluked a few results like Arsenal , Man City(h), Saints etc or we would be lining up against the blues next year.
    I think I’ll leave my Villa shirt at home when on holiday next month, iv got to the stage where I hate the fucking lot if them, especially Lambert and Lerner, I wouldn’t piss on either of them if they were on fire

  49. Frem

    Another mini record. First time spurs scored in first 15 mins this season

    1 shot on target in 180 mins of football

  51. B62 Villa

    If anyone is having second thoughts of wanting a takeover after that season, just take a look at SS1 and the jubilant MCFC fans, with their banners thanking the Arabs . Sheer joy, rather than our abject failure and despondency .

  53. Mark King

    b62

    I’m not worried in the slightest, it has always been about what happens this summer. anybody who thought we would turn the financial and player shite we were in around in two seasons was dreaming. we could of gone the fulham/qpr route with experienced pros but look how that worked for them. its what comes next that has always counted, sell or invest in some class players. Lambert was asked to keep us up while the financials were sorted and we are about to find out why, he’s done that just about, is he the man to rebuild villa I don’t think so on tactics and bullying alone.

    well here we are, its that time at last , what will be will be

  54. B62 Villa

    Mark, with ought a takeover we have no future, Lambert has been nothing short of terrible, we have narrowly avoided disaster in both of his seasons, playing some if the worst football iv ever seen.
    Taxi for Lambert, Lerner and Faulkner

  55. Paul Pears

    Thank goodness it is all over at last and we can start to think about a new season, a new future, and hopefully not have to watch a team with no hope or desire or a clue about how to play the beautiful game…

  57. Frem

    “You all know whats going to happen. THEY will be in the Prem next season”

    Notice how he says they

    rumours already starting he’s gone

    Now we have to wait and pray Randy does

  58. Mark King

    b62
    we have narrowly avoided relegation for 4 seasons with more expensive players at our disposal playing non footy. not saying his was better just a means to an end and we will find out what next

  59. steamer

    Just got in and i have to say that was a pathetic display, Gabby going through the motions, Westwood impersonating the invisible man, Weimann ???. Whats the point ? Feel sorry for the away fans who pay fortunes to watch this rabble, if the takeover stalls the club will be history.

    Jen,
    Southside Johnny and the Asbury Dukes are at the Robin 2 Bilston on 07.07.2014. Looking at some Youtube of them and Johnny Lyon looks a bit overweight and his voice isn’t what it was, but, as you said, those horns make up for any faults.

  61. Tony H

    Spurs fans showing class on talk radio by praising Villa support – our guys were great again; “How shit must you be, it’s only 3-0.”

    Another awful season out of the way but I’d still rather be Villa than a glory hunter as many Liverpool, Man Utd, Chelski and Citeh fans are.

    I was a Lambert supporter most of the season – now I’m ambivalent. I still say we keep him until we know someone who’d do better under similar circumstances – which is very few people from the pool we could attract.

    Vlaar, Delph and Bacuna were bright spots this calendar year. Everything else was dire or incredibly disappointing. Even the wins against Chelsea and Southampton felt like a pisstake.

    Let’s not go mad on emotion boys. A new season and possibly a new owner await.

    We’ll go again…

  62. bibulus

    Nice post Tony – first time totteringham fans have shown class – but but credit to them – if they dont want sherwood we could do worse..
    Also thanks for some of the tips this season Tony (and the other tipsters out there) paid for at least three pints on profits from last weeks tips on the city game 😉
    On balance the evidence suggests we could be the luckiest team in the prem, How we have escaped again is almost beyond belief plus i just had the pleasure of taking money off some tesco boys for finishing above them solely due to the points they gave us from two matches that they were 2-0 up in – how they laughed when i reminded them we would’ve gone down if it were not for the points we got from them.
    Thanks to everyone for all the posts this season that have kept my faith in the fans of this great club we all follow – its been emotional.
    UTV!

  63. Heroes-and-Villans

    Hmmmm i have pulled my head from the clouds today. Are we really really going to get some amazing owner who brings in a bright young manager who plays sexy football and has enough money to revamp our shit squad…….no. This is villa. No. One big anti climax coming up this week and another relegation battle looming is a lot more likely.

  64. Matt Turvey

    Just testing out a new idea on a look for the site to enable some new features (and to fix the comments issue).

    Apologies for any confusion whilst I’m working on it!

  65. Frem

    Nice look to the site. even better than the last one

    Imagine how gutting it will be if Randy says hes staying, or has no buyer even though he wants out.

    Will be our luck he will

  66. Matt Turvey

    Thanks Frem – it’ll look better by the end of tonight I hope as I’m working on it as we speak…

    The game today was pretty bad – wonder when this statement is going to arrive…

  67. Frem

    Spurs fans on twitter can’t stop parsing the away fans

    Tony H- Thought Bacuna was useless like every other villa player

    only Delph deserves to wear the Vila shirt again

  68. Frem

    What do you think Randy is going to do Matt ? Surely he can’t stick around. he will know it will bring up roar if he stays he’s saying

    Knowone really knows. Some thing tomorrow, others saying after the awards meal

    It’s a joke that there is an awards night going ahead. Only the away fans and fans who tun up every week to VP deserve a bloody award

  69. Matt Turvey

    Hard to say – new investment is required whether he stays or not.

    It’s been a tough few years. I reckon it’ll be Wednesday or later but, as you say, who knows…

  70. Frem

    He might get someone to help with investment, but is rather he just sells 100%

    what do you think of Lambert’s future ?

  71. Matt Turvey

    If Randy is leaving, he won’t be sacked as that’ll be up to the new person.

    If Randy stays, who knows – isn’t like he follows any kind of logic…

  72. Steve W

    There’s no reason Lerner can’t make his statement right now.

    When he does I don’t want to hear that he’s going to sell. I want him to tell me that it is done.

    We don’t have any time to waste in getting players in and getting rid of these sub championship signings.

    I watched Derby tonight and if they get promoted I’ll be concerned. Their players work harder than ours, they pass better than ours and I’m pretty sure they are better than ours.

    Rebuilding Aston Villa needs to start immediately because if this is the squad we’re stuck with come August we’ll go down.

  73. steamer

    Do like the new look, difficult to make this better. The avatar of Mark looks like he’s got a noose around his neck, really good.

  74. astonrat

    Just got back from spuds, team crap not going to talk about them no more. Fans where awesome today what a laugh, what was that about today? No beer sold at halftime due to some law about it being a Sunday ?
    Me thinks it was a ploy to make me watch a second half of a away game lol ….
    There’s going to be a lot of broken hearts if this takeover does not happen or PL stays.
    Matt I like the new layout but I’ve had a few beers so it might be better asking me tomorrow .

  75. Heroes-and-Villans

    New owner
    New board
    New manager
    New squad
    New kit

    Never in my time as a villa have i wanted all the above…..basically a new club! I am going to bring in our fav word….,transition!

  76. Matt Turvey

    Thanks Steamer – may have to finish working on it in the week as got work tomorrow and need to speak to Clarky before I go to sleep as he’s got a piece for Tuesday…

  78. Frem

    New owner
    New board
    New manager
    New squad
    New kit

    New North Stand as well

    “Brighton manager Oscar Garcia has offered his resignation after the play-off defeat to Derby but been told to sleep on it.”

    What about him ?

  79. Jenny Truman

    As humour is the best medicine for adversity – take another look at this spoof – I know it has been posted before but it actually gets funnier. Whilst this was made month’s ago, it has horrifyingly come true !!. Not just the 9-1 formation from Wednesday but the “let me tell you that we are working round the clock to get average players and reach the goal of finishing 15th so my players can hold their heads up high ” And where did we finish ? 🙂

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rphCEiJ7cuk

  81. Jenny Truman

    Judging by PL’s post match interview – it looks like he won’t be here next season. Why else would he say “I respect what the owner has to say – it’s his club ” The “I respect what he has to say” infers that it isn’t going to be “here’s 50 million – go and spend it”.

  83. proxopera

    love the new look Matt, very classy.
    So 38 points from 38 games eh , maybe we should lower our expectations and aim just for mediocre next season. We don’t even have anyone valuable to sell anymore. We’ve become Aston Forest . Please do a kaiser Soze mr. Lambert.

  84. Jenny Truman

    Me too Frem – “I can guarantee we will finish in the bottom five and I guarantee if we finish 15th this year I will walk away with my head held high ” The irony is that Pl has been saying that the biggest achievement is keeping AV in the premier league so he’s actually following the comedy script. “Its fantastic, we are not meant to play in Europe – we like playing in Birmingham” . I’m waiting for another one to come out they are so funny. 🙂 🙂

  85. Heroes-and-Villans

    Def new badge

    Didnt the everton fans go mental over change of badge and got it back? We should do it, get the round badge back.

    My working week will consist of checking social media

  86. Jenny Truman

    I agree with Steve W. There is no reason why RL shouldn’t put the fans out of his misery and indeed Paul Lambert and make the damn statement. They need to do it quick as the anti Lambert stuff is gathering momentum from the “your getting sacked in the morning” and the “give us our villa back” from the Away Fans. That isn’t good for anyone having negativity hanging around. When was the AM sacking announcement made – wasn’t that on the Monday after the last game ?

  89. Frem

    “We will work hard to sign average players ” 🙂

    Would be nice to actually enjoy Motd next season

    So we want
    A new north stand
    The old badge
    New owner
    New manager
    New players
    New kit make

    Make it happen someone

  90. B62 Villa

    Matt
    New layout is far smarter and user friendly, good work .
    I agree, New Owner, New CEO, New Manager, New Players, New proper Villa home and away kit , new Proper crest, a return to Aston Villa Football club, not the shortened AVFC on everything, we have history and tradition , we’re not MK Dons, and if there’s any dough left a new North Stand.
    Also No to B teams in the football league

  91. B62 Villa

    Also
    Why no respect paid to the fans of Bradford City, and the 56 lives lost 29 years ago, no empty seats, black armbands and outpouring like for the bindippers, ???
    One rule for the rich

  92. Matt Turvey

    Thank you for the kind words re: the new design – it is a work in progress but works better than the interim idea I had to just fix the comments issue.

    Next is to set up that album option S75 wanted so hopefully get round to that next weekend as got to sleep now with work in the morning 🙁

  94. astonrat

    Spot on about Bradford they deserve total respect.
    Now that would be real justice….
    B62 we know what should be said but in this day an age the truth is buried?
    Hey you never know one day they may rush into the truth but it still won’t be there fault.
    Pleased for Man city proper fans….

  95. astonrat

    Frem
    Wouldn’t it be great to watch motd or sky, come to think of it any football programme and wait for it, how entertaining villa are to watch ?
    Perhaps I’m drinking too much lol

  96. Frem

    Are we allowed to enjoy football ? I thought it was a club tradition to make villa fans as miserable as possible when it comes to football ? Can you imagine watching the team you love pass a ball, attack, defend well, excite, and you know, win ? Whiskey gone to my head

    What manager would you like ? I’m still a huge fan Arry. Spurs were a pleasure to watch when he was there and he played Wingers 🙂 AVB maybe ? RDM? Moyes? Brighton manager ? Klinsman? Laud rep?

    Plenty of managers who would be a huge improvement. Personally, Arry, moyes and laudrep would top my list

  97. Trinity

    Good morning.

    3-0 as predicted. I couldn’t stay awake for the whole game, fell asleep around midnight.

    Thanks for hangin in there this season everyone. Let’s hope for better things next season.

    Matt-like the new layout. Nice one.

  98. astonrat

    Frem
    We need Randy to make the decision to stay or go?
    Then we can talk about new managers. But there’s one thing for sure, the club is rotten from top to bottom and I fear that AVFC is a bigger rebuilding job than we fans realise. I hope I’m wrong but I’m not hopeful.

  99. Frem

    True. I can’t bare the thought of Randy staying

    Picture on twitter of the players celebrating on the coach.i hope they all sacked, especially Weiman. His celebration last week and his smile on the picture

    There all a disgrace

  100. Mark King

    steamer

    no need, by the way what ship are you looking out from? you look like a new arrival for Dudley zoo ? 🙂

    matt

    10x better mate

  101. Paul Pears

    latest is that Lambert is returning to Norwich, and would be welcomed back by their board……

    Might not please some of their fans….but they did love him for a while…

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