LONDON (SE) - Aston Villa will be looking to recover immediately from a defeat against Tottenham when they face Swansea City at the Liberty Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Villa lost 2-0 at White Hart Lane on Monday and never looked close to dealing with a Spurs side who racked up over 70 percent of possession.
"We never laid a glove on Spurs. It was a poor performance," admitted Villa manager Alex McLeish. "We stood off them. It was all half-hearted kind of challenges as opposed to really believing in themselves.
"We've got to get rid of that side of things and make sure that doesn't happen again. While it is no disgrace to lose to a team like Tottenham, we are certainly a lot better than that. There were a few individual performances which were so unlike these guys and we will see what the reaction is on Sunday. I'm looking for a big reaction."
Despite a number of defensive injuries, hosts Swansea have impressed this season and go into the Premier League weekend just two points behind top eight side Aston Villa. The Swans are in 13th place on 13 points.
Swansea have picked 11 of those 13 points at home and goalkeeper Michel Vorm is confident of that run continuing.
"We have played some good matches and conceded only two goals," said Vorm. "Aston Villa are of course a good team, but a team we can beat.
"With everything and everyone so close we need the points and of course they need the points also. At home I think we can beat everybody and I think on Sunday we are going to win this match also."
Swansea's injury crisis is easing, but Alan Tate remains out with a broken leg and Steven Caulker (knee) is doubtful after a lengthy absence. However, Joe Allen is expected to return to the midfield having featured as a substitute in the 1-0 home loss against Manchester United. Villa will be without Nathan Delfouneso (hamstring), while Stiliyan Petrov and Chris Herd are both doubts.
Swansea and Aston Villa haven't met since 1983, with the Swans coming out 2-1 winners. Sunday's hosts have given away 94 fouls this season, less than any other top-flight team, while their record of two goals conceded at home is also a league best. The defeat to Manchester United brought to an end a run of 13 home league games without defeat. Villa have dropped nine points from winning positions this season - a league high - and only Stoke have a worse percentage of shots on target (36).
