David Ginola was given a hero's welcome on his return to White Hart Lane, but
was forced to sit on the bench for 80 minutes of this bore draw.
The game was crying out for a touch of the Ginola magic, but Villa boss John
Gregory decided there was no room for sentiment, and he denied the exciting
Frenchman the chance to star against the club where he was such an idol of the
fans, until his controversial transfer to Villa Park last summer.
By the time Ginola finally made an entrance, the game was already heading for
a stalemate, and there was not enough time for him to influence the result.
In a slow start, the first effort on target came from Spurs after eight
minutes. Willem Korsten crossed from the right and Stephen Clemence arrived with
a late run to send a downward header bouncing into the arms of goalkeeper David
James.
Ferdinand then sent a powerful header over the bar when he rose to meet Steve
Carr's cross from the right after 15 minutes.
Ginola left the Villa dug-out to stretch his legs along the touchline after 16
minutes and the whole crowd rose as one to give him a standing ovation.
The home fans chanted: "You're Spurs, and you know you are," as they were
well aware that the French wing wizard had never wanted to leave the club.
Spurs were making most of the running and Oyvind Leonhardsen had a good chance
from close range when he met Carr's cross after 20 minutes. The Norwegian - who
scored two goals for his country in midweek - appeared to control the ball with
his hand, but the referee was unsighted and allowed play to continue. So justice
was done when Leonhardsen's effort was blocked by James.
The game was not particularly fierce, but Luke Young picked up the first
booking after 25 minutes for a foul on Mark Delaney. Steve Staunton drove the
free kick into the Spurs box and Carr made a good clearing header.
The best chance of the half fell to Ferdinand after 27 minutes. Simon Davies
played a one-two with Leonhardsen just inside the Villa box before driving a
cross-cum-shot across the face of the goal. Ferdinand slid in at the far post
but scooped the ball wide, when really he should have hit the target.
Tottenham goalkeeper Neil Sullivan has been outstanding all season, but a rare
slip almost let in Villa after 37 minutes.
It came when Staunton curled in a corner from the right and Sullivan dropped
the ball at the feet of Dion Dublin. But fortunately for Spurs, Gary Doherty was
covering and the ball was scrambled clear before the Villa striker could get in
a shot.
Spurs had one last chance to threaten in the half, from a free kick on the
right flank after 42 minutes. But when Clemence curled the ball into the box it
was headed away by Dublin.
Ferdinand was unlucky not to open the scoring after 47 minutes. Clemence
delivered a free kick into the six-yard box and Ferdinand was just off balance
as he met it with his head, and the ball bounced straight into the arms of
James.
The standard of finishing from both sides was very poor. After 51 minutes,
Villa's Darius Vassell sent a 25-yard drive several yards wide, then a minute
later at the other end Korsten hit a weak low free kick wide of the Villa goal.
Villa had a chance moments later when Paul Merson nicked the ball away from
Luke Young on the edge of the Spurs box, but he too was wide of the mark with
his shot.
Spurs wasted another chance to threaten from a free kick on the hour. Clemence
again curled the ball into the box with his left foot, but it sailed past
everyone and ran out for a goal kick.
There was a brief Villa highlight two minutes later as Ian Taylor burst
forward and fired a shot just over the bar. Merson then sent in a cross from the
right and although Vassell dived to meet it he was beaten to the ball by
Doherty.
Villa survived a penalty claim for handball against Alan Wright, then had
their best chance to score after 73 minutes. Merson found an opening in the box
but saw his shot well saved by Sullivan. The loose ball fell to Vassell, but his
shot was blocked on the line by Young.
The substitution that everyone had been waiting for finally came after 80
minutes, as Ginola replaced Staunton.
The reception was incredible, as Ginola received a standing ovation as he ran
on to the pitch and took his place on the left flank.
Within four minutes, Ginola almost created a goal. He popped up on the right
wing and delivered a deep cross which Wright and Dublin failed to make the most
of.
But 10 minutes was not enough for Ginola to impose himself on the game, and
the teams shared the points.
Teams
Tottenham: Sullivan, Young, Gardner, Doherty, Carr, Clemence,
Sherwood, Leonhardsen, Davies (Thelwell 75), Korsten,
Ferdinand (Etherington 75).
Subs Not Used: Walker, Hillier, Piercy.
Booked: Young.
Aston Villa: James, Wright, Staunton (Ginola 80), Barry,
Southgate, Delaney, Boateng, Taylor, Merson, Dublin,
Vassell (Joachim 80).
Subs Not Used: Stone, Samuel, Enckelman.
Att: 36,096
Ref: C Wilkes (Gloucester).
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