Hoddle relieved to avoid injuries

Tottenham boss Glenn Hoddle was just happy to see his team come through the 0-0 draw with Aston Villa without picking up any more injuries.  

Villa had the better of a dull clash at White Hart Lane with Paul Merson outstanding for the visitors.

And not for the first time, Spurs had to rely on Neil Sullivan for a number of important saves.

Hoddle said: "We got no injuries and a clean sheet which is what we are striving for so I'm happy and I think a draw was a fair result.

"I was a bit concerned at half-time because we played well but did not take our chances when we could have been two goals up.

"We knew that an experienced side like Villa would come back into the game and in the second half we just stopped passing the ball and making movement. That is where our young players will learn.

"We've had five games in a very short period of time and because we are down to our barest bones we have no options to freshen it up."

Anthony Gardner, who was solid against Dion Dublin and Darius Vassell at the back, impressed Hoddle.

"Anthony looks superb for a young lad and is getting better and better," he said.