The white lines had to be repainted on the pitch at White Hart Lane after torrential rain this afternoon - but referee Jeff Winter gave the go-ahead to this match between two of the Barclaycard Premiership's strugglers.
Spurs kept faith with the team who were unlucky to lose at Arsenal a fortnight ago, which meant Ledley King started his 100th game for the club.
Villa were forced to make two changes with Gavin McCann suspended and Juan Pablo Angel jetlagged after returning from international duty. In came Thomas Hitzlsperger and Darius Vassell, who shook off an ankle knock.
Tottenham: Keller, Carr, Taricco, Gardner, Richards, Anderton, Dalmat, Konchesky, King, Postiga, Keane. Subs: Burch, Doherty, Poyet, Zamora, Ricketts.
Aston Villa: Sorensen, Delaney, Samuel, Mellberg, Johnsen, Barry, Hendrie, Hitzlsperger, Whittingham, Vassell, Allback. Subs: Dublin, Postma, Stefan Moore, Ridgewell, Kinsella.