Purple patch or real contenders?

I have always been a little reluctant to think Champions league and usually a draw, even at Villa Park, wouldn`t get me thinking of the big four, but if not now, when?

It is easy to consider that Villa weren`t at their best and many Spurs fans have been looking at the lack of quality or a bad day for the home side, in preference to actually considering that their showing was more about the quality of Spurs than any off day from Villa.

After going a goal down in an opening period, that Villa probably just edged, Tottenham looked to step up a gear and actually press forward and dominate territory, possession and chances. Villa may have sat too deep, but was that their decision or did we force the issue with the manner in which we played?

Aaron Lennon was not the devastating player we saw against Wigan, but he terrified Villa and in the second half forced Ashley Young deeper and deeper, more in fear than actual play. In keeping Lennon quiet, it not only lost Villa their main attacking creativity, but also allowed more space for our midfield and Hudd and Kranjcar dominated the centre, with Niko looking outstanding before being replaced by Robbie Keane, who worked tirelessly for the final 20 minutes or so and covered every blade of grass.

The last two games may well be just a mini purple patch, but we are sitting nicely in third place for now. I am not really thinking beyond the 4th place and our battle with Villa, City and of course Liverpool. To me, United, Chelsea and probably Arsenal, remain a level above, although it will be interesting how our beloved neighbours cope with the loss of Van Persie until march.

A home game against City next month, could again be a CL 6 pointer and as City look ill at ease with their role of Billionaires, a win there and a much needed unbeaten run around that could really put us ahead of the opposition going into the second half of the season.

Unlike Villa of last season, I think we have the squad to maintain a consistency to the final game and if we develop a winning or at least unbeaten habit, we will look a far better and stronger side as time passes. When you consider the players who didn`t start yesterday, it really hits home our strength in depth, which is arguably the best outside the best three. Watching the sky coverage yesterday amongst a crowd of 99% Villa fans, there were so many envious comments about our bench and who can blame them.

Fourteen games in and looking strong in a top four place, doesn`t make it job done, far from it. But looking at the way we controlled a game against one of the sides sure to be a huge rival, has to give us confidence that if we maintain our form and heads, we have a real shot at the final place and yesterdays result tells me more about our side and their chances than any 9-1 win...

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