Spurs’ problems deepened further on Monday as they were beaten 2-1 at home by Aston Villa to leave them bottom of the Premiership with just a point after four matches.
Goals by Nigel Reo-Coker — his first for the club in the Premiership and first in almost two years since scoring for West Ham against Manchester United — and Ashley Young were enough to see Aston Villa climb to fourth in the table as they recorded their first win at White Hart Lane in nine visits.
Darren Bent grabbed a consolation goal four minutes from time.
PHOTO: EPA
Villa manager Martin O’Neill was ecstatic at his side’s performance.
“I thought it was sensational,” he said. “The first-half performance was unbelievable.”
“We can attack, score goals and are a delight to watch when on form like that,” O’Neill said.
Villa snatched an early lead as Reo-Coker shot home after fine work by Gabriel Agbonlahor.
His pass into the box was stepped over by John Carew and Reo-Coker who had escaped from his marker Gareth Bale had no problem putting the ball beyond Spurs ’keeper Heurelho Gomes.
Spurs manager Juande Ramos added a bit more attacking flair in the second-half by bringing on David Bentley for defensive midfielder Didier Zokora to try and spark some life into the hosts.
However, a bright start to the half by the hosts came to nothing as Young scored with a long range effort in the 54th minute which squirmed under Gomes’ body and over the line.
Spurs were given some hope when Bent struck from inside the box after being set up by Jermaine Jenas but it was too little too late.
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