Jermain Defoe could damage Manchester City if Tottenham exploit power on the left wing At their least effective, though, City tend to lack width, with everything coming through the middle to make defending a little easier for the opposition. West Ham profited from that, as did Ajax in the first half in the week, so Mancini will want to ensure he gets it right this time against a team that, at their best, uses the flanks with great panache. Tottenham's left side, particularly, represents a challenge for City if Jan Vertonghen at left back starts raiding forward to support Gareth Bale. Vertonghen has been a fantastic signing for Spurs. Powerful and quick, this gutsy character can be a real handful with his surging runs. The Belgian will have to pick his moments, mind, against a team more than capable of exploiting the slightest gap, particularly through a player as sharp as Agüero. But on the counter-attack, Vertonghen and Bale could give Pablo Zabaleta a real test, especially without support from a City team-mate. After that, if quality balls are delivered into the box, Defoe is in the mood to snaffle one up (see graphic). This game will not be at all easy for Spurs. They are, after all, playing against a team who have practically forgotten how it feels to lose at home. Nevertheless, the visitors are capable of creating problems when they win the ball and break from deep. They proved that at the Etihad last season and across town at Old Trafford in September. On their day, Spurs have the players to tear anyone apart. Benteke offers Villa hope Aston Villa fans have a new hero. He is 21, a bit rough around the edges but blessed with a talent for scoring goals. That is why the vast majority of people buying Villa shirts these days are asking for the name of Christian Benteke on the back. Move over Darren Bent. The Holte End has spotted someone else on which to pin their hopes in a season that looks like being a tough one. Stationed at the head of a young and inexperienced team, the free-running Benteke promises to offer the odd glimpse of light with his goalscoring ability. Of his four strikes so far, two particularly stood out as hallmarks of a good striker, one against Norwich and the other at Swindon in the Capital One Cup. Both times he kept a clear head in the penalty box to stroke the ball into the corner with the confidence of a more experienced player. Benteke is also strong in the air and attacks crosses very well. The raw materials, you have to say, are already in place. Belgium seem to think so anyway, judging by the faith they have shown in him. A country brimming with talent these days has profited from his recent goals against Serbia and Scotland. Yet Manchester United could prove a tougher nut today, with chances to score against them likely to be few and far between. But keep an eye on this player. On the evidence so far, he is going to stick around.