Tottenham Hotspur against Aston Villa

There was a touch but Defoe was going down already. It would have been a soft pen.

Penalty shout for Spurs as Petrov bumped into Defoe. We are clutching at straws now.

Bentley wings in a good deep cross and Crouch gets up but his header is always going wide. This game is destined to end goalless.

He does redeem himself with a great chase and tackle of Ashley Young down the right flank though.

Bale tries to curl it in the top corner from nearly 40 yards and hits the wall. He wins 'brainless free kick of the day' award.

Spurs camped on the edge of Villa's box now. Cuellar blocks Modric's effort then Milner fouls Bale. Free kick 35 yards out.

Carew and Crouch jump together. It was never going to be pretty. At least Crouchy isn't wearing gloves though.

Then a real chance as Defoe takes Dunne out of the centre leaving Crouch space to shoot. He does but Collins gets a touch to take it wide of the post.

Half chances for Spurs as Defoe's shot is blocked then Huddlestone's is too.

Messi has just scored a pearler for Barcelona too.

What a weak effort. Spurs rebuild from the corner and Dawson's free header dribbles wide. Poor.

Bentley cuts inside and has a go and Dunne deflects it behind before Friedel was just about to grab it. Needless corner.

Villa corner.

Bale lobs in a long throw and Friedel claims. Is that how far we've sunk? It's not Stoke v Blackburn in disguise is it?

Crouch gets up to meet Corluka's cross but it's a looper and lands on the top of the net.

I can't stress enough how this game needs a goal to bring it to life.

Good ball into Carew from Cuellar, he holds off King and gets a shot off but it is right at Gomes.

Carew makes a nuisance of himself but the ball bounces into the arms of Gomes.

Patient build up from Villa before Ashley Young tries to cross. Spurs defend solidly.

Doncaster have pulled one back. It's a proper goal fest.

Agbonlahr lies stricken after a clip on the knee from Huddlestone. A contact injury it looks like.

There are goals at the Keepmoat Stadium where Reading have just gone 2-0 up against Doncaster. Why can't we have some?

Huddlestone challenges for a high ball with Milner. It looked nasty and Milner is hurt. He was going for the ball but it was one of those that the European refs go mental about.

Half chance for Modric who again doesn't catch the ball properly. He wins a corner though. Spurs on top.

Down the other end we go and Huddlestone has clearly switched his radar back on as he hits a low half-volley to the near post but the 'keeper saves well. Corner.

Ashley Young's effort is as bad as Downing's was not long ago. High and over the bar. A goal please. Now.

Carew wins a free kick from King and Villa have another free kick in a decent area outside the box.

Corluka feeds Bentley but just like Huddlestone before him, he fouls Dunne and Villa have a free kick.

More solid work from Bale down the left before Huddlestone kicks Collins toe. That looked painful.

Bale is reborn, he's even barging John Carew off the ball now.

This is better, Villa now cross from the right side and Carew's flick nearly reaches Agbonlahor.

Spurs attempt to break but Defoe's ball for Corluka is overhit.

The second half has started much like the first...

Downing takes it and puts his effort two yards over the bar.

Free kick for Villa as King drags down Agbonlahor right on the edge of the area. A Villa conference over it.

Huddlestone has a pop but pulls it horribly wide.

Spurs counter attack but Defoe's ball hits the back of Palacios' legs and Villa intervene.

We're off again..

That's half time. The game improved as it wore on and Spurs should be ahead. See you back here in 15.

Huddlestone looks for Defoe over the top but Dunne has it covered.

Defoe sees the red mist after Petrov shackled him well. The little man goes flying in by the touchline but doesn't make contact with anything. Would have been interesting if he had.

Great save from Friedel! Crouch wins the header and King hooks it goalwards. Friedel flies across to save then Defoe on the stretch can't get his effort under the bar. It should be 1-0.

Ashley Young beats Bale and crosses but Gomes prevents a corner after the ball hit King.

Bale's inswinger is dangerous but the Dunny-monster is there again.

Defoe takes a dive after a late lunge from Dunne. It was a foul and Spurs have another chance to get the ball into the box.

Spurs fans are singing: "Boring, boring Villa."

Crouch's flick finds Defoe but Cuellar is in within an instant. Good tackle.

And he very nearly grabbed a goal. Modric took a short corner and he volleyed but Petrov hacks clear in the six yard box.

Bale is giving Cuellar a mugging here. He looks like he's lost possession initially but then gets into the box and wins a corner. He's a new man now the curse is broken.

Bale's ball for Defoe is too strong and a decent attacking chance goes begging. Spurs getting closer.

Excellent defending from Dunne who rises high to nod clear Bale's cross with Crouch lurking.

I've just noticed Corluka is wearing all black boots. What a novelty these days. Refreshing.

Great ball in from Bentley, Friedel comes but doesn't claim and Dawson's touch via Dunne takes it behind for a corner.

What we really need, of course, is a goal. Any maybe Spurs will provide it with this free kick on the left after Cuellar fells Crouch.

Great double save from Gomes! Milner fires in a low shot which the flying Dutchmen saves then Agbonlahor is onto the rebound but the 'keeper is up quickly to turn it behind for a corner.

Milner is the latest to cross but Gomes charges out to claim this one.

Bentley leans into Huddlestone's pass and clearly uses his arm. Maybe lucky to escape a booking there...

King gets up from the corner but Dunne does enough to put him off. Then Foy gives a goal kick when it was another corner.

Huddlestone pings one from 25 yards and Friedel stretches to save, then Cuellar makes a crucial tackle to deny Modric with the follow up.

Defoe does well to pick up Crouch's loose ball but Collins blocks it with his chest.

Heskey's race is run and big John Carew is on. Never before has the phrase 'like for like' been more appropriate.

Milner slips a lovely pass into Agbonlahor who triesd to turn Dawson like he did Hangeland last week, but the defender gets a block in, partly with leg and partly with hand.

Downuing puts a cross in from deep and Heskey is clearly injured or he'd have made a better fist of getting on the end of it.

Good defending from Bale who nods Milner's deep cross behind for a corner.

Oh Crouchy, those big legs pump into space when the ball breaks in front of goal but Friedel gets out in time to force a corner. He'd have been better off doing the robot.

Great work from Bale down the left who mugs Cuellar but can't get his ball beyond Richard Dunne.

Modric again gets into the area and forces a corner from which Ledley King puts his free header right at Friedel from eight yards out.

Heskey looks like he's limping. He may have to come off.

Heskey clashed with Dawson but he's up and about now. This game is pretty pedestrian so far. It can only get better though...

Bentley side steps Luke Young but chooses to shoot from the angle of the box but Friedel watches it sail wide of the far post.

Petrov does well to pinch the ball from Crouch but Chris Foy thinks it is a foul. Spurs build down the right and Modric tries one with the outside of his boot but it was always heading over.

It's all very bitty as both teams try to get a grip in midfield.

Bentley tumbles theatrically to the floor and buys a free kick from Luke Young. He'll swing in the cross...

Great knock down from Crouch and Modric has space on the edge of the box but he doesn't hit the ball cleanly at all. Should have done much better.

Milner buys a free kick from Huddlestone after a late tackle. Game yet to erupt...

Crouch and Defoe link neatly but Bentley can't track down the ball out wide.

We begin...

This should be a cracker. Two teams in decent form, both like to pour forward and possess exciting players. I reckon it'll be 7-6 Spurs.

Tottenham: Gomes, Corluka, Dawson, King, Bale, Bentley, Huddlestone, Palacios, Modric, Defoe, Crouch. Subs: Alnwick, Kaboul, Jenas, Gudjohnsen, Bassong, Kranjcar, Kyle Walker.

Aston Villa: Friedel, Cuellar, Collins, Dunne, Luke Young, Ashley Young, Milner, Petrov, Downing, Heskey, Agbonlahor. Subs: Guzan, Sidwell, Carew, Delfouneso, Davies, Delph, Beye.

Hello all and welcome to live commentary of Tottenham v Aston Villa from White Hart Lane.

I can't stress enough how this game needs a goal to bring it to life.

Good ball into Carew from Cuellar, he holds off King and gets a shot off but it is right at Gomes.

Carew makes a nuisance of himself but the ball bounces into the arms of Gomes.

Patient build up from Villa before Ashley Young tries to cross. Spurs defend solidly.

Doncaster have pulled one back. It's a proper goal fest.

Agbonlahr lies stricken after a clip on the knee from Huddlestone. A contact injury it looks like.

There are goals at the Keepmoat Stadium where Reading have just gone 2-0 up against Doncaster. Why can't we have some?

Huddlestone challenges for a high ball with Milner. It looked nasty and Milner is hurt. He was going for the ball but it was one of those that the European refs go mental about.

Half chance for Modric who again doesn't catch the ball properly. He wins a corner though. Spurs on top.

Down the other end we go and Huddlestone has clearly switched his radar back on as he hits a low half-volley to the near post but the 'keeper saves well. Corner.

Ashley Young's effort is as bad as Downing's was not long ago. High and over the bar. A goal please. Now.

Carew wins a free kick from King and Villa have another free kick in a decent area outside the box.

Corluka feeds Bentley but just like Huddlestone before him, he fouls Dunne and Villa have a free kick.

More solid work from Bale down the left before Huddlestone kicks Collins toe. That looked painful.

Bale is reborn, he's even barging John Carew off the ball now.

This is better, Villa now cross from the right side and Carew's flick nearly reaches Agbonlahor.

Spurs attempt to break but Defoe's ball for Corluka is overhit.

The second half has started much like the first...

Downing takes it and puts his effort two yards over the bar.

Free kick for Villa as King drags down Agbonlahor right on the edge of the area. A Villa conference over it.

Huddlestone has a pop but pulls it horribly wide.

Spurs counter attack but Defoe's ball hits the back of Palacios' legs and Villa intervene.

We're off again..

That's half time. The game improved as it wore on and Spurs should be ahead. See you back here in 15.

Huddlestone looks for Defoe over the top but Dunne has it covered.

Defoe sees the red mist after Petrov shackled him well. The little man goes flying in by the touchline but doesn't make contact with anything. Would have been interesting if he had.

Great save from Friedel! Crouch wins the header and King hooks it goalwards. Friedel flies across to save then Defoe on the stretch can't get his effort under the bar. It should be 1-0.

Ashley Young beats Bale and crosses but Gomes prevents a corner after the ball hit King.

Bale's inswinger is dangerous but the Dunny-monster is there again.

Defoe takes a dive after a late lunge from Dunne. It was a foul and Spurs have another chance to get the ball into the box.

Spurs fans are singing: "Boring, boring Villa."

Crouch's flick finds Defoe but Cuellar is in within an instant. Good tackle.

And he very nearly grabbed a goal. Modric took a short corner and he volleyed but Petrov hacks clear in the six yard box.

Bale is giving Cuellar a mugging here. He looks like he's lost possession initially but then gets into the box and wins a corner. He's a new man now the curse is broken.

Bale's ball for Defoe is too strong and a decent attacking chance goes begging. Spurs getting closer.

Excellent defending from Dunne who rises high to nod clear Bale's cross with Crouch lurking.

I've just noticed Corluka is wearing all black boots. What a novelty these days. Refreshing.

Great ball in from Bentley, Friedel comes but doesn't claim and Dawson's touch via Dunne takes it behind for a corner.

What we really need, of course, is a goal. Any maybe Spurs will provide it with this free kick on the left after Cuellar fells Crouch.

Great double save from Gomes! Milner fires in a low shot which the flying Dutchmen saves then Agbonlahor is onto the rebound but the 'keeper is up quickly to turn it behind for a corner.

Milner is the latest to cross but Gomes charges out to claim this one.

Bentley leans into Huddlestone's pass and clearly uses his arm. Maybe lucky to escape a booking there...

King gets up from the corner but Dunne does enough to put him off. Then Foy gives a goal kick when it was another corner.

Huddlestone pings one from 25 yards and Friedel stretches to save, then Cuellar makes a crucial tackle to deny Modric with the follow up.

Defoe does well to pick up Crouch's loose ball but Collins blocks it with his chest.

Heskey's race is run and big John Carew is on. Never before has the phrase 'like for like' been more appropriate.

Milner slips a lovely pass into Agbonlahor who triesd to turn Dawson like he did Hangeland last week, but the defender gets a block in, partly with leg and partly with hand.

Downuing puts a cross in from deep and Heskey is clearly injured or he'd have made a better fist of getting on the end of it.

Good defending from Bale who nods Milner's deep cross behind for a corner.

Oh Crouchy, those big legs pump into space when the ball breaks in front of goal but Friedel gets out in time to force a corner. He'd have been better off doing the robot.

Great work from Bale down the left who mugs Cuellar but can't get his ball beyond Richard Dunne.

Modric again gets into the area and forces a corner from which Ledley King puts his free header right at Friedel from eight yards out.

Heskey looks like he's limping. He may have to come off.

Heskey clashed with Dawson but he's up and about now. This game is pretty pedestrian so far. It can only get better though...

Bentley side steps Luke Young but chooses to shoot from the angle of the box but Friedel watches it sail wide of the far post.

Petrov does well to pinch the ball from Crouch but Chris Foy thinks it is a foul. Spurs build down the right and Modric tries one with the outside of his boot but it was always heading over.

It's all very bitty as both teams try to get a grip in midfield.

Bentley tumbles theatrically to the floor and buys a free kick from Luke Young. He'll swing in the cross...

Great knock down from Crouch and Modric has space on the edge of the box but he doesn't hit the ball cleanly at all. Should have done much better.

Milner buys a free kick from Huddlestone after a late tackle. Game yet to erupt...

Crouch and Defoe link neatly but Bentley can't track down the ball out wide.

We begin...

This should be a cracker. Two teams in decent form, both like to pour forward and possess exciting players. I reckon it'll be 7-6 Spurs.

Tottenham: Gomes, Corluka, Dawson, King, Bale, Bentley, Huddlestone, Palacios, Modric, Defoe, Crouch. Subs: Alnwick, Kaboul, Jenas, Gudjohnsen, Bassong, Kranjcar, Kyle Walker.

Aston Villa: Friedel, Cuellar, Collins, Dunne, Luke Young, Ashley Young, Milner, Petrov, Downing, Heskey, Agbonlahor. Subs: Guzan, Sidwell, Carew, Delfouneso, Davies, Delph, Beye.

Hello all and welcome to live commentary of Tottenham v Aston Villa from White Hart Lane.