Martin O'Neill has challenged Aston Villa to discover the "winning mentality" which has become second nature to Chelsea in recent seasons.

O'Neill believes Villa have to discover this quality if they are to have genuine aspirations of breaking into the elite group of teams who constantly dominate the Barclays Premier League.

But he is a particular admirer of the Blues even though Villa defeated them 2-1 earlier this season.

Villa have produced some outstanding performances this season in challenging for a European spot but also dropped points against the likes of struggling Wigan, West Ham and Wolves.

O'Neill said: "Look at Chelsea. They are so strong. I tend to mention them more than any of the other top-four sides but they have a great mentality, work ethic and they are physically very strong.

"It is almost burned into them that winning football games is what it's all about. This winning mentality is vital. It's keeping them going.

"We need that winning mentality as well. It is so important. I can't stress it enough. It's not about being just nearly there, not about 'that's not so bad.'

"It's about a genuine winning mentality.

"We must go out and win football matches - that's the be all and end all. The number one aspect of that is going into every game believing genuinely you can win it.

"I think we have that but it can stagnate and dissipate during the course of a game if you're not mentally strong.

"It's remaining mentally strong and mentally tough throughout the game. You're going to have setbacks throughout the course of football matches. It's having that ability to fight back from those."

Winger Stewart Downing bolstered his hopes of making a home debut against Tottenham on Saturday after completing 75 minute for the reserves against Arsenal at Underhill on Wednesday night.

O'Neill's £12million summer capture from Middlesbrough made a late appearance as a substitute against Burnley - his first senior action for Villa - in last weekend's 1-1 draw at Turf Moor.

The England winger suffered a broken foot in April, ironically in a tackle by Villa skipper Stiliyan Petrov.

Central defender James Collins is again a doubtful starter to face Harry Redknapp's side with the groin injury which forced him out of the clash with Burnley.