Villa manager Gerard Houllier has warned his side they mustn’t fear the Premier League’s “imaginary monsters” ahead of the Tottenham trip.

The claret and blues head to White Hart Lane tomorrow, just three days after Spurs claimed their first ever victory in the Champions League with a 4-1 thrashing of FC Twente.

Having broken into the top four last season, Harry Redknapp’s men are now considered among the top-flight big boys but new boss Houllier, who was in North London to witness Wednesday’s win, insists his side have nothing to be scared of.

He said: “It will be difficult for us but it will be difficult for them as well.

“Sometimes we build in the mind of the players imaginary monsters. They’re just another team.  We’ve got a chance in this league, every team can beat any other team on their day.

“Last weekend Manchester United nearly got beaten by Bolton, Chelsea lost, Arsenal lost, Tottenham lost.”

But, while adamant Villa must not fear Spurs, Houllier is under no illusions they are a fine side.

He said: “I’ve known Harry for a long time and everywhere he goes he’s done a good job.

“The league is normally a good judge of where a team deserves to be.

“If you finish fourth you deserve it.”

Houllier has enjoyed back-to-back wins over Blackburn and Wolves since his arrival and believes the victories have helped restore self-belief among his players.

The Frenchman added: “I mentioned that the team confidence was a bit shaky, but it’s the results that build confidence. So hopefully these two results will bring them belief.

“I liked it when somebody was in trouble or made a bad pass you could see the whole team reacted.

“I tell them, ‘don’t worry about that, I’m not bothered if you miss a pass – what I like is your intention is to play it down the channel to someone.’

“If it doesn’t work, so what? When someone is in difficultly and the others help, this is good.

“This is what I liked about the game at Wolves, sometimes the football was not the best but we suffered together and we helped each other.”

Villa striker Gabby Agbonlahor is also in contention for tomorrow’s trip, after returning to training from a groin injury.

Houllier added: “Gabby will be involved. He should be OK.”