The dust has settled, I've had a look at the statistics, we are still seventh and well, what can be said about that match that would surprise. Probably nothing, so I will get the formalities out of the way.

I'm also not going to get in an argument today with anyone on anything Aston Villa as it's clear as day there are two camps developing and while I was in one and then joined the fence, my feet are now dangling in the other and I am getting ready to jump. What I would ask when you think about Aston Villa, is to forget names and people and just look at the performances. It is difficult to remember sometimes it really is all about the football.

But, that is maybe too much for this early on a Monday morning, so we will very much now get on with what it is I am supposed to do.

What the Papers Say

David Lacey, guardian.co.uk
If a place in the top four of the Premier League really is up for grabs then the likely contenders should do something better than hold each other to goalless draws. By the time Tottenham met Aston Villa on Saturday Liverpool had moved up to fourth place and Manchester City had lost, but the teams' only response was to grind out an empty stalemate.

Conrad Leach, The Independent
With this goalless draw, Aston Villa have failed to score in five of their last six Premier League games. Given that coyness in attack, Martin O'Neill's men need to be able to keep goals out if they are to maintain their push for fourth place. At least they showed they are effective in that department.

The Manager

Martin O'Neill, Club site
I think that the players who have come in to the football club just in the last week of the August transfer deadline have transformed us really.

Man of the Match

As things stand Ricardo Dunne is the out and out leader for our player of the season award and he was also voted man of the match for the Spurs game, closely followed by Brad Friedel and James Collins.

The Players and Some Stats

Aston Villa played 4-4-2: Brad Friedel, Carlos Cuellar, James Collins, Ricardo Dunne, Luke Young; Webcam Young, James Milner, Stan Petrov, Stewart Downing (Steve Sidwell, 88); Gabby Agbonlahor, Emile Heskey (JOhn Carew, 22). Substitutes not used: Guzan, Delfouneso, Davies, Delph, Beye.

I'm not going to talk about the passing stats, but please do guess below who had the most, instead, I'm going to mention shots. Spurs had 33 in total, including 18 of those that were blocked by defenders diving in. We had eleven shots in the ninety minutes. I only mention the shooting stats because I'm sure you are bored of me referencing passing and that total of 33 is the second highest number in a match this season.

Final Analysis

I really don't know what to say. We are seventh with 41 points. We had 48 after this many games last season, but you can position it that when you total up the points against the same teams we are probably one or two better off. I like doing it that way but it does feel like quite a desperate way to look at.

But, Martin O'Neill is confident and for one camp, that is all that is needed. The other camp, he says looking in from the fence, have heard it all before, watched it all before and while they all want it to happen, can't see it happening and they're not just using the past few seasons, they are using his days at Celtic and Leicester too.

Basically, we are within touching distance of fourth. We have Manchester United on Wednesday and well, a draw would be a good result, but if we win we could be much closer. Gavin and Matthew - you've both had emails now will also be going as a VIP, compliments of Lucozade.

Some will notice that I'm staying neutral today, I don't want any arguments and while you will not necessarily see anything positive, you won't really see anything negative. The truth of the matter is I think we were lucky on Saturday and I don't think anyone can disagree with that.