Villa’s dressing room have hit back at Tottenham supporters’ ‘boring’ jibe by insisting – ‘You play more long ball than anyone.’

Martin O’Neill’s men were subjected to chants of “boring, boring Villa” from the White Hart Lane crowd during Saturday’s goalless draw, after spending much of the game on the back foot against an impressive Spurs side.

It came just 10 days after Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger had accused the claret and blues of being a “long ball team” – but Villa’s ex-Tottenham defender Luke Young and goalkeeper Brad Friedel have both dismissed the taunts.

Young even insisted his former club play more long ball than anyone they have come across all season.

He said: “I think they played more long balls than anyone I’ve played against this season with the balls upto Peter Crouch. It doesn’t really bother us how we win our points. We know we’re not a boring side with the likes of Ashley Young, Stewart Downing, James Milner and Gabby Agbonlahor.

“I think it was just frustration from the home fans.”

Spurs had 28 attempts to Villa’s 10 as they bombarded the claret and blue box – only to be frustrated by the visitors’ stubborn defence.

Friedel said:  “It’s funny, I thought in the game it was quite strange because a lot of their attacks came from long balls up to ‘Crouchy’ that was headed down to Jermain Defoe.

“I’m not quite sure where they were coming from, it’s just a bit of banter among the fans I’m guessing. I take zero notice of it. I had a little chuckle because most of their attacks where they got some joy from came from clipping balls into Crouchy that were longer than 30 or 40 yards.

“We’re playing away from home, they want their team to win so they’re going to try to do things to get us off our game, I think that’s about as far as you can take it.”

Villa are now sweating on the fitness of Emile Heskey ahead of Wednesday’s clash with Manchester United, after the striker limped off just 21 minutes into the stalemate.

Boss Martin O’Neill added: “He’s had a recurrence of his groin problem. When I spoke to him after the game he was feeling better than he did when he came off.”