Even after Rafael van der Vaart's second half goal, you knew this match had more in it, but when Aston Villa's crosses kept dropping into Tottenham's area in the closing minutes of their match at Villa Park, Spurs seemed intent on losing two of their three points. But when the whistle blew in the 95th minute, Tottenham had survived 68 minutes down a man, completing the double over Villa with a 2-1 win in Birmingham.
Aston Villa Vs. Tottenham Hotspur: Spurs Hold On For 2-1 Win At Villa Park
Van der Vaart's 24th minute goal give Spurs an early league before Jermain Defoe saw red for an elbow to James Collins' face, but when the Dutch attacker completed his brace in the second half, Spurs had all the goals they would need. Villa got a goal from Marc Albrighton on 82 minutes - a quizzical tally that saw an intended cross find the right side of Heurelo Gomes's net - but even Spurs' curious willingness to let long ball drop in their penalty area, Villa never found an equalizer, losing for only the second time this season at Villa Park.
The result keep Villa, sixth place finishers last season, four points above the drop in 15th. Tottenham's three points lifts them back into fifth place, temporarily one point behind fourth place Chelsea.
See More:
