ASTON VILLA 1 TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 1
POST MATCH REACTION
ComeOnSpurs.com, 29 Nov 2009
Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp believes it is not impossible for Spurs to break into the top four this season, after they drew 1-1 with Aston Villa at Villa Park.
Redknapp said: "Who knows what is going to happen with regards to the top four. Villa are going to be up there. The top two will probably be Chelsea and Manchester United, then will come Arsenal and Liverpool and then Manchester City, Villa and ourselves.
"One of us might break into the top four and it is not impossible for us to do it. It will be hard but we have got some very good players at this club.
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"We have a lot of quality but not the sort of squad where 19 to 20-year-olds could come into the first team so it is the same group of people basically."
Villa needed goalkeeper Brad Friedel to keep them out of trouble during a second half onslaught from Spurs, until Michael dawson found the net to equalise Gabriel Agbonlahor's first half goal.
Aaron Lennon was also far more effective in the second 45, Redknapp, commented: "At half time we talked about keeping the ball better and being more patient and we dominated play after the break.
"Things went massively in our favour possession wise.
"In the first half it was hard for Aaron because people were marking him so closely and concentrating on stopping us from getting the ball to him.
"In the second half we told him to stay on the line more, gave him more of the ball, and he looked a threat."
Redknapp was pleased with both Dawson's goal and his defensive display alongside Sebastien Bassong.
Redknapp, said: "It was the first time that Michael and Sebastien Bassong have played together and they did well.
"We have two great players in Jonathan Woodgate and Ledley King but they do get injuries and we need cover in those positions."
Villa manager Martin O'Neill admitted that Spurs deserved a draw for their second half performance.
He said: "We played very well in the first half and tried to close them down as quickly as we could.
"In the second half they got to grips with the midfield through their own good play but we also lost momentum and rhythm and couldn't get out of defence quickly enough.
"But overall I was pleased with our defenders considering we had to change it around. Stephen Warnock was ill this morning and Luke Young had to go from right back to left back and did very well considering he was up against Aaron Lennon."
O'Neill also praised Agbonlahor's strike, saying: "That sort of goal from two or three yards out is a typical goal scorers' goal.
"You see people like Jermain Defoe and Michael Owen score that sort of goal so it was pleasing that he got the same sort. He is becoming more dangerous and getting better all the time."
Spurs defender Michael Dawson was pleased to score but was disappointed with the way Spurs played in the first half. Speaking to ESPN, he said: "I think in the second half we were on top. Villa deserve a lot of credit, they got bodies in the way of the ball.
"It was nice to get the goal but unfortunately we couldn't get the win. In the first half we went in knowing we didn't play as well as we know we can and wanted to get the ball down and play in the second. We did that, and showed what a good team we are."
As for his goal, Dawson said: "It was a nice one, one to treasure!"
Villa defender Carlos Cuellar was awarded man of the match for his blocks and said:
"We had a chance to get the win and go for the top four with them but I think it was the first half for us and second half for them.
"I think we're happy with one point. We have a good squad and we're going to fight to get into the top four."
