Villa earn vital win over Spurs

Aston Villa 1 Tottenham 0

The irony would not have been lost on manager David O’Leary on the day he celebrated his 46th birthday.

As his Aston Villa side continued their push towards Europe, the team he used to be in charge of were heading for the Nationwide League.

Leeds’ appalling goal difference means they are relegated in all but name only following their defeat at Bolton today.

While they are are on a downward spiral, O’Leary is on the up again after swapping Yorkshire for the west midlands.

Juan Pablo Angel’s 22nd goal of a fine season stretched Villa’s unbeaten run to seven games at a crucial time and took them above Newcastle.

The considerable consolation for Tottenham after another poor display was in knowing their top-flight status was secured.

Leeds’ experience at the Reebok Stadium had cast off those lingering demons.

Villa striker Peter Crouch returned to the starting line-up today, with Darius Vassel suffering from a hamstring strain.

O’Leary also drafted in Liam Ridgewell at the back for Ronny Johnsen.

Striker Robbie Keane retained his place in the Tottenham team after withdrawing from the Republic of Ireland squad in midweek because of dizziness.

Central defender Dean Richards returned in place of Ledley King, while Jermain Defoe was preferred to Johnnie Jackson.

Angel needed only three minutes to find the target, with Tottenham’s defence all at sea.

Thomas Hitzlsperger delivered a free-kick to the back post, and Gareth Barry headed across the face of the goal.

Angel was left unmarked and had a simple task of heading home to get Tottenham off to the worst possible start.

Then Hitzlsperger launched the ball forward into the path of Angel but he had strayed offside.

Villa kept up the pace, and Hitzlsperger tried his luck from 25 yards without success when Nolberto Solano was clear to his right.

Tottenham defender Richards could have equalised for his side in the 21st minute.

He got on the end of a free-kick from Jamie Redknapp only to send a powerful header over the top.

Then Simon Davies found Defoe at the back post. He headed back across the face of goal, but goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen was able to take a comfortable catch.

Villa continued to look dangerous going forward, and Angel headed over from a good position following a free-kick from Hitzlsperger.

Ulises De La Cruz powered forward for the home side, but his well-struck shot was blocked by Anthony Gardner.

Tottenham carved out a half-chance in the 47th minute when Brown picked out Fredi Kanoute – but his header was off target.

Villa hit back immediately, and Hitzlsperger rattled the bar from 18 yards after Solano had laid the ball into his path.

Then Barry and Gavin McCann both made space on the edge of the area only to see their respective thunderous efforts go wide.

There was a scare for Villa in the 58th minute when Simon Davies cut inside and rattled in a shot which Sorensen did well to beat away.

Yet the home side continued to look full of confidence, especially Barry who was bossing the midfield.

At least Tottenham had stepped up the tempo in the second half after looking weary early on.

Tottenham striker Defoe carved out a good chance in the 77th minute only to see his effort from the edge of the area go wide of the post.

Play switched back down the other end, and substitute Marcus Allback should have extended Villa’s lead. But his weak shot found only the arms of goalkeeper Kasey Keller.