Monday’s match at the Stadium of Light was a product of the fear that engulfs most teams in the wrong half of the Premier League when up against each other. Having said that, I don’t see either being sucked in to the relegation vortex.

Predicting the outcome at other end of the table is much more difficult. There are four teams contesting fourth place covered by a mere two points. Manchester City’s two games in hand may prove a deciding factor, but in terms of points in the bag, Tottenham lead the way.

Their FA Cup win at Elland Road on Wednesday was the result of a consummate performance against accomplished lower division opposition. Jermain Defoe’s hat-trick took the headlines - and he is now only two goals short of his best seasonal tally - but David Bentley’s rejuvenation on the right wing caught my eye.

Long regarded as the successor to David Beckham in the England team, Bentley has lost his way over the past 18 months. Those supposedly in the know suggest he became distracted by the trappings of fame and fortune. Harry Redknapp wasn’t impressed by what he saw on arrival at White Hart Lane, and it’s taken the best part of a year for the former Arsenal man to get his chance.

With Aaron Lennon out injured, Bentley will be making a fourth consecutive start against Villa, and whilst it may be fanciful to think of a World Cup place, he looks much more motivated than at any time since that memorable hat-trick for Blackburn against Manchester United four years ago this week.

David Bentley won’t be the only player on parade to have undergone a transformation. I’ve been really impressed with Villa’s Gabriel Agbonlahor this season. We’ve known of his potential for several years, but only now is it being matched by performances.

His two goals at Fulham last weekend were beauties. The first was a meaty header, the second an exquisite curling shot with his left foot. They showed the different facets to his game. His pace has never been in question, but now it is allied to a silky touch and, most significantly, a greater physical presence.

Agbonlahor spent the summer in the gym working on his upper body strength. Whereas in the past he was all too easily brushed off the ball by burly central defenders, now it is they who find themselves spinning away having gone shoulder to shoulder. His father rejoices in the name of Samson - and Agbonlahor’s new-found strength could prove the difference for Aston Villa as they pursue their dream.

An Aston Villa fan I am but already I suspect this game is even more important that the Man Utd game we have on Wednesday simply coz much as we can beat Man Utd on a good lucky day(as we proved in December), we should be winning games against our immediate contenders for the Champions League place.
I sure hope we win this one and we shall.