Postcard from White Hart Lane

1) Never mind Richard Dunne, if it's superstar centre-halves you're looking for, then Ken McNaught was in equally impressive form.

With a press-box tighter than Doug Ellis on transfer deadline day, Villa's European Cup winning legend was surprisingly sprightly.

Fellow radio summariser Big Ron was already in situ and preparing for his BBC WM duties, so McNaught, co-commentating for Villa's club website had to vault the press benches from the row in front to get to his seat.

And despite being 55, the popular Scotsman leapt with the same energy and spring that he used to call upon to head the ball away.

2) On the subject of Big Ron, it's always a pleasure to be sat within the vicinity of the former Villa boss when he is on the radio.

Whilst not condoning that unforgivable mistake he made, Ron has such an appreciation of the game of football and such a way of expressing himself that the BBC deserve praise for taking the bold decision to give him a second chance.

The position of the Spurs press box, virtually at pitch level, right behind the dugouts, really brings the game to life - but having Ron's words in the background added an extra sprinkling of magic.

3) Speaking of not condoning bad behaviour, it seems another former Villa favourite got himself into a bit of a twist over the John Terry affair.

"I don't condemn what he's done, but......" said Merse of the Terry-gate scandal, before being asked "Don't you mean 'condone'."

"Yeah that's the word!".

4) Did anybody else think those Tottenham 'Boring, boring Villa' taunts were a bit, erm, boring? Why waste time insulting the opposition when a bit more support of their own team might have actually helped them make the breakthrough?

5) My first trip into the White Hart Lane press room took me on a trip down memory lane. There are a selection of nostalgic pictures hung on the walls.

But in amongst the photographs of Gazza gurning and Ossie Ardiles dancing past a tackle was one that Spurs would surely want to forget.

For taking pride of place is a framed snap of Mark Bosnich almost decapitating Jurgen Klinsmann with a knee high challenge to his throat at Villa Park in early 90s.

It's safe to say, that was one occasion when Jurgen didn't dive...