Villa’s wing wonder Ashley Young has been backed to torment suitors Tottenham after team-mate Steve Sidwell insisted – ‘He’s up there with the best.’

England star Young was targeted by Spurs during the close season but boss Martin O’Neill issued a firm hands-off warning, insisting the player he has hailed as “world class” is not for sale.

Young will get another chance to showcase his talents when the sides meet at Villa Park tomorrow and Sidwell admits the wide man’s renowned delivery is key to their hopes.

The former Chelsea man said: “I’ve never played with anybody who can deliver a ball that well. His wing play is phenomenal.

“He can score goals and win games by himself but his delivery is brilliant and, with the people that we’ve got in the box, we should be scoring more from the chances that he gives us.

“Ashley is up there with the best in the Premier League for delivery.”

Villa striker Gabby Agbonlahor also aims to start another scoring spurt against Spurs – and avenge the memory of the flack he received from fans in last year’s fixture.

His own  supporters cheered when Agbonlahor was substituted late on in March’s 2-1 defeat, but the England striker has responded with seven goals this term – five of them in consecutive games.

He said: “I scored goals in spurts last season and the season before. I seem to score three or four and then go 20 games without scoring!

“Fans always have expectations. You don’t mind fans saying what they think. They have that right. They pay good money to watch.”