Keane seals Spurs win over Villa

Tottenham 2 Aston Villa 1

What would Spurs do without Robbie Keane?

The Republic of Ireland international inspired a stirring comeback as he set up one goal for substitute Rohan Ricketts before scoring the winner himself against Aston Villa at White Hart Lane this afternoon.

Villa were on their way out of the bottom three with what would have been their first away win in the league this season when Marcus Allback headed a fine goal from Peter Whittingham’s cross after 66 minutes.

That brought a dull game to life and Ricketts equalised with a fine strike after 77 minutes before Keane followed suit with the winner three minutes later.

Spurs suffered at the start of this season when Keane was missing through injury, and Glenn Hoddle lost his job at the end of September.

David Pleat took temporary charge and sparked a revival, but the bubble appeared to have burst in the last three games after a goalless draw at home to Middlesbrough, a 1-0 defeat on their own turf by Bolton and then a 2-1 derby defeat at Arsenal.

It looked bleak again against struggling Villa this afternoon as Spurs wasted a series of chances, with Helder Postiga the worst culprit.

But Keane, who struck twice in Ireland’s 3-0 friendly win over Canada in midweek, took it upon himself to rescue his team and nudge them away from the danger zone.

Spurs should have taken the lead in only the fourth minute, but Postiga missed a golden chance from six yards.

The Portuguese striker is taking his time to settle in English football following his £6.25million move during the summer, and this was an ideal opportunity to finally announce his arrival.

Darren Anderton’s low pass in from the left was cleverly flicked into the box by Keane, but Postiga side-footed his effort wide of the near post.

Villa’s first real chance came after 32 minutes when Thomas Hitzlsperger went close with a low shot from 20 yards which was inches wide.

There were ironic cheers from Spurs fans after 37 minutes as Keane had his team’s first shot on target. But it was a tame low drive which was easily gathered by Villa goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen.

The half almost ended on a high for Spurs as Mauricio Taricco let fly from 30 yards, forcing Sorensen to tip the ball round the post.

Ricketts replaced Paul Konchesky after 57 minutes and moments later the big screens showed that England coach Sven Goran Eriksson was at White Hart Lane - although the Swede could have been forgiven for thinking he could have spent his Sunday afternoon in a more enjoyable fashion than what he was watching here.

Spurs looked livelier with Ricketts’ introduction, but Villa were rewarded with the opening goal on 66 minutes.

Whittingham chipped in a deep cross and Allback guided a looping header over Kasey Keller and into the Spurs net.

Spurs should have drawn level but Postiga was guilty of another glaring miss after 71 minutes.

Taricco might have shot from close range, but instead squared the ball for Keane, who could not quite reach it in front of an open goal.

The Irishman recovered the loose ball and crossed it back into the six-yard box where Postiga shot wide when it seemed easier to score.

Spurs were feeling hard-done by, but they hauled themselves level after 78 minutes through Ricketts.

Fed by Keane on the left edge of the box, he cut inside Delaney and drilled a low shot inside the far post.

A dull game had suddenly exploded into life and it took a piece of brilliance from Keane to fire Spurs ahead after 81 minutes.

He turned on the right edge of the box and beat Sorensen with a fierce low drive into the far corner.

Keller came to the rescue five minutes from time when he dived to his right to keep out what would have been an own goal from Steve Carr and Spurs held on to register the win.