Van vanquishes Villa

GERARD HOULLIER must have feared the worst the moment he saw Rafael Van der Vaart’s name on the teamsheet.

After a month out with injury, the Holland international returned to score his third and fourth goals against Houllier’s side this season and 10 for the campaign as 10-man Tottenham claimed a deserved victory.

The former Real Madrid star, who scored both of Spurs’ goals in the 2-1 victory over Villa at White Hart Lane in October, scored in each half as Harry Redknapp’s side kicked off the festive period with a vital win for their Champions League hopes.