Villa’s Sporting Star columnist Dave Woodhall is just as wary of a trip to the bogey grounds of South London as the next game against Manchester United.

Going to Tottenham last Saturday was an important game for Villa, and we were under pressure for a long time but held on for a point that keeps us in touch with the top four and, at the same time, stopped our opponents from getting too far ahead of us.

As is seeming to become the case whenever Villa don’t lose, the way we played got criticised. What made it particularly funny on Saturday was that Spurs spent most of the game launching high balls in the direction of Peter Crouch. But of course they’re Spurs and the Spurs Way means that however they play is beyond reproach.

Villa’s performance at White Hart Lane wasn’t as good as it could have been. A couple of players were below par and once again there was a lack of attacking invention. If we are going to get into the top four we’ll need an improvement.

Speaking of which, one team who have improved beyond measure are Manchester United, our next opponents tomorrow night. When we beat them at Old Trafford in December, it seemed as though their reign of terror and glory might be coming to an end.

Since then they’ve stepped up a couple of gears, Wayne Rooney on current form is probably the best player in Europe and if we don’t shape up on Wednesday night we could be in for a hiding.

The week ends with what looks like the easiest game of the lot, away at Crystal Palace in the FA Cup fifth round. Or at least it should be – Palace are in administration and deep in trouble but they’ve had a couple of good wins recently.

Villa, for some reason, tend to perform badly in South London going back to the days when Millwall and Wimbledon were in the old First Division. I can’t remember the last time we won at Selhurst Park, so maybe a draw and a replay would be a decent enough result even if it would also add to our fixture congestion.

In closing, two and a bit weeks until Wembley and the Carling Cup final. Is everyone getting excited yet?