Things are never easy with this year's Spurs, are they? The flip side of their woeful road record is the fact that they've been quite effective at getting positive results at White Hart Lane, where they've lost but one time this year (back in August to Everton).
Jermaine Defoe tallied both Spurs goals midway through the second half, but Villa's Gareth Barry replied to Defoe's latter goal just a couple of minutes later in the 81st. Barry's goal was basically created due to his own hard work in front of the goal, to further create those latter-match anxious moments we've all grown accustomed to over the last few years.
The first half, dominate mostly by the home side, was an energetic affair, but one with a lot of broken down chances at goal due to sloppy passing. (Not to pick on him especially, but it just didn't seem to be Steed Malbranque's day in that regard). To be fair though, there was some excellent defensive play as well, particularly the impressive tackle made by Ledley King in front of Paul Robinson in just the third minute. (Sorry can't recall the attacking Villa player, but hey, it was 5:05 a.m. local time). Dimitar Berbatov was key in both of the Spurs goal, with some excellent passes deep in enemy territory, drawing in the Villa defense to set up Defoe.
A fair result to be sure, Villa have slipped a bit under Martin O'Neill of late, and they're now losing games rather than grinding out a tie for a result, but it's to the visitors credit that they never quit their manager's game plan.
Spurs 2 Villa 1
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