Premier League: Aston Villa host Tottenham on Boxing Day looking to bounce back

Aston Villa boss Paul Lambert will be demanding an immediate response from his charges for Tottenham's Boxing Day visit following his side's drubbing at Chelsea.

Aston Villa boss Paul Lambert will be demanding an immediate response from his charges for Tottenham's Boxing Day visit following his side's drubbing at Chelsea. The Blues knocked eight goals past Lambert's side as their recent good run came to a humiliating halt at Stamford Bridge on Sunday. Villa had previously been unbeaten in six games in all competitions but the heavy defeat leaves Lambert's side 16th in the table, just three points above the drop zone and with the worst goal difference in the top flight. For Spurs, Andre Villas-Boas' men go into the clash sitting in sixth in the table, one of four teams tied on 30 points, having taken 13 points from their last six games. But Villas-Boas will also be demanding an improvement to his side's away form following just one win and three losses from their last four league trips. On the positive side for the visitors, Spurs have not lost at Villa Park since New Year's Day 2008 and beat their rivals 2-0 at White Hart Lane in October.Villa boss Lambert kept with the same side which beat Liverpool against Chelsea but could now make changes after the big loss. Midfielder Stephen Ireland started on the bench against the Blues after he missed the 3-1 win over the Reds through illness and he could now come into the side. But Lambert is sweating over the fitness of defender Ron Vlaar, striker Gabriel Agbonlahor and winger Charles N'Zogbia after the trio missed the Stamford Bridge clash with calf, thigh and knee problems respectively. Forward Clint Dempsey is a doubt for Spurs after he missed Saturday's draw against Stoke with a groin problem. Benoit Assou-Ekotto may make his long-awaited comeback from a knee injury while Scott Parker could also make his first start of the season after coming off the bench in the last two games following his recovery from an Achilles injury. Younes Kaboul is expected to return from his knee injury next month.