"I really hope it is the day and I think it will be," he says, citing the return of Fredi Kanoute as a major boost.
"Last season a certain Fredi Kanoute got the two goals in this fixture and he can add to our attack what we miss, which is a bit of a bit of physical presence.
"Of course, he is going to be rusty, and I think he gets a lot of unfair criticism because of his languid style, but you really know you have missed him when he is not there."
Of the Saints, he says: "I saw Southampton against Arsenal last week, and they played very well with a direct style different from how they normally play, getting it straight to Delgado and Beattie.
"Southampton are strong at set pieces as well, and it is also an area where have to be on our toes, but we have got the players to get at people so we have to give them it.
"I'm really positive and that is what I'd be if I was Glenn or Sarge. The fans have been fantastic and 3,500 at Villa was great support."
As for potentially nervy atmosphere, Tony says: "The crowd will be very important to us and I think it will be a case of nerves for them, for the players, though they won't admit it, and for the management and coaching staff - we desperately need a result.
"Anyone going in to this game saying they have no nerves is a liar, and having been in this situation myself with West Ham at the top and the bottom, there are nerves.
"When you are down there you just can't see anything going right for you and you are just waiting for that spark; hopefully that will come tonight.
"You just have to concentrate on the first thing, which is the game; you don't play the occasion, you play the game, and you have to get focused on who you are playing against first and foremost.
"You go on your own little battles and try to forget the position you are in, but of course when things go wrong early in the game that is when it comes back to haunt you.
"What we need is a nice lively start though I don't know how many times we have said it - but we really have to come out of the traps quickly, not only for the lads but to get the confidence of the fans going as well because if they see that there is real effort going in they will get right behind the boys."
Tony hopes the Hammers can go on a run of results and adds: "Every time we win we can't seem get a result after to back it up. We need three wins on the spin together to get it out of our system - but we have two very difficult away games coming up in Manchester United and Middlesbrough.
"A few teams have cut adrift already and there is a little bit of a gap. Some of the sides down there are getting away and we can't let that happen.
"Villa was the story of the season with missed chances at one end and silly goals at the other; it was not a great result on paper.
"But everyone knows that we are a better side than what we are showing - and we are certainly not the worst side in the Premiership."