Tottenham 0-1 Aston Villa: Benteke goal enough for three points on Sherwood's spurs return

It was a happy return to White Hart Lane for Tim Sherwood, as a Christian Benteke goal in the first half was enough to win a vital win over Tottenham Hotspur.

Despite an early injury setback to Ciaran Clark, Villa dominated proceedings. However, it was the home side who had the chances with Christian Eriksen, Fazio and Danny Rose, before Benteke gave Villa the lead in the 35th minute. Rose, Eriksen and Harry Kane all had good chances before the end of the half, while Gabriel Agbonlahor nearly made it two in injury time but his shot cannoned off the post.

Kane and Rose had two more good opportunities at the beginning of the second period, with Kane rippling the roof of the net just before the hour mark. Fabian Delph’s excellent chance for a second was prevented by Michel Vorm near the end, but Villa did enough to get the three points despite the late sending off of Carlos Sanchez.

Mauricio Pochettino’s side knew they had the opportunity to leapfrog Liverpool into fifth position with a win, with Brendan Rodger’s side not in action until Monday night. Villa were on the other end of scale, with three points of vital importance in their survival as the Midlands' side stood just three points above the relegation before the game.

It didn’t start brightly for Villa as they were forced into an early change in the 18th minute, when defender Clark was forced off with a knee injury and was replaced by Nathan Baker. Benteke did well seconds later to hold off numerous Spurs players before playing it to Leandro Bacuna; the full-back took a touch, but he sliced his shot wide.

Tottenham’s first opportunity of any recognition didn’t come until the 26th minute, Eriksen played the ball across to Rose out wide who hit a good strike towards goal but Brad Guzan did well to save it with his feet.

Ten minutes before the break Villa took the lead, Bacuna crossed an excellent ball into the area and Benteke jumped above Fazio to head the ball off the post into the net, to claim his fifth goal in the space of a week.

Spurs continued to press their opponents but could only produce half-chances, with Rose hitting a wayward shot over the bar in the 40th minute before captain Harry Kane hit a thunderous shot from distance which was well handled by Guzan.

Villa had a brilliant chance to double their lead in extra-time if not for the woodwork, a flick-on from Benteke was latched upon by Agbonlahor who got past two defenders before hitting a sweet low shot, but the effort clattered off the post.

Tottenham started the brightest in the second period with Kane just missing the ball with his head from Townsend’s good ball in from Townsend and only a crucial block from Carlos Sanchez prevented Rose’s shot from going in after Eriksen’s pull-back. Kane had a good chance in the 59th minute when he showed good feet to get out of a tight situation, he looked to curl it into the far corner but it just rippled the roof of the net.

Delph had the best opportunity to wrap up the three points with six minutes to play. The captain made a good run from the midfield before getting past substitute Yedlin. He was one-on-one with Vorm and looked certain to score but the Dutch shot-stopper came out on top.

Spurs continued to press for an equaliser going into extra-time when substitute Roberto Soldado produced an excellent save from Guzan but the flag was up for offside. Villa were reduced to 10 men three minutes when Sanchez went flying in on Rose and he was shown his marching orders by referee Lee Probert.

This was vital three points for Aston Villa and gives them a cushion in terms of survival in the top flight. Focus will now turn to their trip to Wembley to face Liverpool in the FA Cup semi-final next weekend but Sherwood will be sweating over the fitness of Agbonlahor and Clark who will be vital to survival charge going into the last stretch of the season.

This disappointing defeat for Tottenham has all but ended their aspirations of Champions League football next season after this loss and the 0-0 draw with Burnley last week. This defeat will give Liverpool the opportunity to create some space between the two sides when they play Newcastle on Monday night.