Aston Villa v Tottenham Hotspur: match preview Aston Villa (Possible, 4-4-1-1): Guzan; Baker, Herd, Clark, Lichaj; Lowton, Bannan, Holman, Westwood; Weimann; Benteke. Out: Bent (groin), Gardner (knee), Dunne (groin), Petrov (illness). Tests: Vlaar (calf), Agbonlahor (thigh). Tottenham (Possible, 4-4-2): Lloris; Walker, Dawson, Caulker, Vertonghen; Lennon, Dembélé, Parker, Bale; Adebayor, Defoe. Out: Kaboul (Knee). Tests: Assou-Ekotto (match fitness), Dempsey (groin) Referee: Mark Clattenburg (Matches 9, R4 Y34). Team News Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert will assess the fitness of striker Gabriel Agbonlahor, winger Charles N'Zogbia and captain Ron Vlaar. Agbonlahor (thigh) and Vlaar (calf) have missed three and six games respectively while N'Zogbia suffered a knee injury in training ahead of Sunday's 8-0 mauling at Chelsea. Striker Darren Bent is again ruled out with a hamstring injury while centre-back Richard Dunne will undergo rehab work after a third groin operation. Forward Clint Dempsey is a doubt for Tottenham after he missed Saturday's draw against Stoke with a groin problem. Benoit Assou-Ekotto may make his long-awaited comeback from a knee injury while Scott Parker could also make his first start of the season after coming off the bench in the last two games following his recovery from an Achilles injury. Younes Kaboul is expected to return from his knee injury next month. Match Notes With three games against sides in the bottom seven, manager Andre Villas-Boas has targeted Christmas as an opportunity to establish Spurs in the top four. If Stoke proved awkward on Saturday, Villa will have something to prove following their Stamford Bridge thrashing. But, as they showed in winning 3-1 against Liverpool at Anfield, Paul Lambert's side cannot be taken for granted. This game may be the sternest test of a run including Sunderland away and Reading at home, with Villa's win at Anfield a reminder that Paul Lambert's improving side have talent as well as resilience. Betting: Home 11-5, Away 6-5, Draw 12-5. Stat of the game: Tottenham have lost only two of their last 18 league games played in December. Paul Kelso's prediction: Aston Villa 1 Tottenham 1.