Five-star Spurs close in on coveted UEFA Cup slot

MARTIN JOL forecast a battle until the final whistle on the last day of the season after his Tottenham side took a giant step towards European football with a demolition of Villa.

David O’Leary’s side, also looking to reach Europe, failed to cope with a Tottenham side who produced some scintillating attacking football.

Spurs are now ahead of Middlesbrough on goal difference in the all-important seventh place and meet them next week.

Jol is hoping the final outcome will not be decided by the two points they lost at Old Trafford earlier this season when referee Mark Clattenburg, in charge for this game as well, failed to award them a goal even though Pedro Mendes’ shot was well over the line.

After his side’s rout of Villa, Jol said: “I think that was one of the best performances of the season. But it is a complicated situation for the seventh spot. However, it would be a huge bonus if we were to get into Europe. But I think it will go right to the last match. Hopefully the Manchester United game won’t be a decider.”

Jol was particularly pleased with the performances of wingers Andy Reid and Simon Davies, and two-goal Fredi Kanoute. But he disagreed with David O’Leary’s assessment that Villa should have had a penalty seconds before Tottenham took a fifth minute lead.

Mark Delaney appeared to be felled by Erik Edman but Clattenburg did not award the spot-kick and Spurs went straight down the other end to score.

Jol added: “It was not a penalty. I have seen it on TV and I still don’t think it was penalty. We were 3-1 up at half-time but we needed a fourth and got it. That was the crucial one.

“Andy Reid was good today. He was good on the ball and gained confidence as the game went on.

Simon was really outstanding and I think Fredi offers you the complete service as a striker. He can hold the ball up and head it and gives you so many different options.”

O’Leary admitted his side had let themselves down but insisted his players had still worked wonders to be battling for a European place.

Yet he was adamant that Villa should have had a penalty.

O’Leary said: “It was a definite penalty. Whether we would have scored is a different matter but if we had scored, Spurs would not have gone straight down the other end and got their goal.

“But for me, the fourth goal knocked the stuffing out of us. The best team won, we let ourselves down today but I have got a small group of players and for the second year running they have done me proud.

“We defended poorly from set-plays. But I’m not ruling ourselves out of a European place.”

O’Leary was full of praise for Tottenham who have invested heavily but refused to get frustrated by the lack of cash available to him.

O’Leary added: “Tottenham have pushed on because they have made a big investment, I came to Villa and I knew there was not much money.

“I think I’ve improved them on a small budget and to be in contention for a European place going into the last two weeks of the season means the players have done more than they could.”

Tottenham raced into a commanding lead through Kanoute’s double and a rare goal from skipper Ledley King (18), before Gareth Barry pulled one back from the spot seconds before half-time.

Rampant Spurs finished off O’Leary’s men with goals from Reid in the 66th minute and Stephen Kelly in the closing moments.

TOTTENHAM: Robinson (Cerny 64), Kelly, Dawson, King, Edman, Davies, Davis, Carrick, Reid, Kanoute (Mido 78), Keane (Defoe 78).

ASTON VILLA: Postma, Delaney, Ridgewell, Laursen, Samuel, Solano, Davis, Hitzlsperger (Hendrie 59), Barry, Angel (Moore 59), Vassell.

Ref: M Clattenburg (Co Durham).