Aston Villa win their second corner. But Hugo Lloris charges out to claim Carles Gil's delivery with ease.

Kyle Walker again charges down the right and crosses low. This time he finds Dele Alli, who sets up Erik Lamela on the edge of the box for a shot that is blocked by a Villa defender. 

Soon after, Alli's low drive is saved by Brad Guzan.

One-way traffic at the moment. And it is an eerie atmosphere as well. This is a home crowd who are here through obligation, not enjoyment.

Image source, Reuters

Spurs exude confidence, Villa are gripped by fear. Kyle Walker flashes a cross from the right across goal and just behind Dele Alli.

Villa's defence is a mess as Christian Eriksen comes forward again into loads of space in front of the home box. Fortunately for Villa, the Dane's shot is high and wide.

Harry Kane springs into life to reach a through-ball from Erik Lamela but his lifted shot over the advancing Brad Guzan hits the top of the bar and goes behind. Big let-off for Villa.

Image source, Reuters

Villa force an early corner, but Tottenham head clear before an offside flag against Rudy Gestede prevents Villa threatening again.

Harry Kane's protective face mask has his number printed on it. Bit weird. Wonder if you can buy it in the club shop?

Image source, Rex Features

And we are off...

Steve Bower
Match of the Day commentator at Villa Park

"After defeat at West Ham, seeing a north London derby lead disappear and an apparent Europa League surrender, Spurs are now entering a vital period.

"If the the seven changes in Germany in midweek were to assist a title challenge, then it must be forthcoming. It's their sole focus from now on. Watching Leicester, they'll be aware the margin for error is decreasing.

"They could be facing the ideal opponents. I watched Aston Villa capitulate at Manchester City last week, and speaking to Remi Garde afterwards, he looked a broken man. He can't legislate for players' lack of effort.

"You would hope that at some stage Villa show some pride on their way to the Championship; for Spurs from now on, it is all about the points."

Twitter: @stevebowercomm, external

Five minutes until kick-off. The teams are on their way out of the tunnel.

It is depressing to see the number of empty seats at Villa Park. Full up, it can generate some atmosphere. Now, with huge chunks of space and sparsely scattered blocks of fans, some of the stands look like the worst game of Tetris ever played.

Mark Lawrenson
Former Liverpool defender

Image source, .

"I feel a bit sorry for Villa boss Remi Garde, because this is not his team - he was not able or allowed to buy a player in January. They are going down, and it is not even with a whimper.

"Tottenham were given a bit of a reminder of how tough the Premier League can be by 10-man Arsenal last time out, but this is the perfect fixture for them to get back to winning ways."

"Prediction: 0-2"

Lawro's full predictions v boxer Carl Frampton

• Think you can do better than Lawro? Predict the score for this match and the rest of this round's Premier League fixtures in our Predictor game.

A couple of Villa fans hold aloft a sheet on which they have written: "Play 4 the name on the front of the shirt and we'll remember the name on the back."

As a football fan, that is all you ask.

The sun is shining, the grass is green. Life as a Spurs fans is pretty good right now.

Image source, Getty Images

If you're still feeling all FA Cupy this weekend, you can ignore all the Premier League shenanigans at Villa Park and follow the action from Manchester United's last-eight tie with West Ham here.

I suspect the Hammers may have a few neutrals on their side. Crystal Palace, Watford, Everton and West Ham as the FA Cup last four. Who would have predicted that eh?

Crazy. Season. Blah blah, etc. You get the point.

It is not just the Premier League that has a crazy vibe to it either. In today's Championship game between Charlton and Middlesbrough, the home fans have just chucked a load of beach balls on to the pitch in protest at the club's owners.

A bonkers and brilliantly inventive way to make a point.

And this at the end of a week that has seen Middlesbrough do their best to implode. Like I said; crazy!

Image source, Getty Images

As if to further emphasize the craziness of the season, Watford have just won at Arsenal in the FA Cup. 

I'm sure that news will go down terribly among the travelling Spurs fans at Villa Park!

P.s. If you've not yet seen it, track down Adlene Guedioura's goal for Watford at the earliest opportunity. Foot like a traction engine.

Image source, Getty Images

Hang on a sec... if there is one thing this crazy Premier League season has taught us it is the need to retain an open mind. A Tottenham win may seem like an inevitability, but to assume makes a fool out of both of us... or something like that.

Nobody foresaw Leicester's title challenge, no-one expected Chelsea to blow up so spectacularly and there wasn't a single person who predicted Andy Carroll would plait his hair like a five-year-old at a sleep-over.

So, if you are Villa fan, keep the faith. Just like Leicester last season.

And if you support Spurs, don't expect, just enjoy. Just like Leicester this season.

Three changes for Villa from the 4-0 defeat at Man City. Rudy Gestede starts up front in place of Gabriel Agbonlahor. Ciaran Clark and Micah Richards drop to the bench, with Jores Okore and the more attack-minded Carles Gil coming in.

Aston Villa XI: Guzan, Hutton, Okore, Lescott, Cissokho, Westwood, Gana, Ayew, Gil, Veretout, Gestede.

Subs: Richards, Clark, Bacuna, Sinclair, Green, Bunn, Lyden.

Image source, .

Tottenham revert to the XI that started the 2-2 draw with Arsenal following the midweek loss to Borussia Dortmund. Full-backs Kyle Walker and Danny Rose return, while Eric Dier and Mousa Dembele anchor midfield. Christian Eriksen is the only member of the front four who started in Germany.

Tottenham XI: Lloris, Walker, Alderweireld, Wimmer, Rose; Dier, Dembele, Lamela, Alli, Eriksen; Kane.  

Subs: Vorm, Davies, Trippier, Carroll, Chadli, Mason, Son.  

Image source, .