Aston Villa 1 - 2 Tottenham Van der Vaart strokes in the first of his two well-taken goals to sink the hosts
By Phil McNulty
Chief football writer at Villa Park |
 Ten-man Tottenham held off Aston Villa for more than an hour and maintained their pursuit of the Premier League pace-setters as Rafael van der Vaart inspired them to an impressive victory. Spurs boss Harry Redknapp insists the north Londoners can mount a serious title challenge this season - and they added weight to his argument by surviving the first-half sending off of Jermain Defoe to demonstrate the character and quality required to secure three vital points. Van der Vaart, back after injury, was the catalyst as he climaxed a sweeping move from the visitors involving Luka Modric and Alan Hutton to give them the lead after 23 minutes. Defoe was shown a red card by referee Martin Atkinson four minutes later after he caught Villa defender James Collins with his elbow as they challenged for a high ball, the striker vehemently protesting his innocence to no avail. Spurs made light of their numerical disadvantage and added a second midway through the second half with a classic counter-attack, Van der Vaart starting and finishing a fine move involving Gareth Bale's storming run and Aaron Lennon's neat pass. Redknapp delight at Spurs display Marc Albrighton's cross drifted beyond Spurs goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes with eight minutes left to set up the prospect of a grandstand finish, but for all Villa's effort they could not snatch an unlikely equaliser. Villa manager Gerard Houllier's youthful side showed plenty of endeavour but were desperately short on the class their opponents had at their disposal and were heavily punished as they continued the struggles the Frenchman has endured since succeeding Martin O'Neill in the Villa Park hot-seat. Tottenham, in contrast, provided further evidence of their growing maturity and strength of squad that has enabled them to perform with such distinction domestically and in the Champions League. And the capture of Van der Vaart for a bargain £8m on deadline day looks more of a masterstroke with every passing game and every defining contribution from the Netherlands international. Aston Villa were without Ashley Young because of a knee injury, while the visitors were able to recall Van der Vaart, out since going off early against Liverpool at White Hart Lane in November. And the Dutchman played a decisive part in a pulsating first 45 minutes that ended with Redknapp's men holding an advantage their greater composure and cutting edge just about deserved. In a flurry of activity in the opening moments, Gomes saved well from Albrighton's deflected shot, while Villa keeper Brad Friedel rushed from his line to defy Defoe as he raced clear into the area.  | PHIL McNULTY'S BLOG |
The home side then had strong penalty appeals rejected as Emile Heskey clashed with Gomes in a tussle for possession, referee Atkinson ruling that the Spurs keeper had just got a touch to the loose ball before there was any contact between the pair. Redknapp's men then believed they were the victims of injustice when Younes Kaboul turned in Hutton's pass as the referee's assistant ruled the ball had already gone out of play - but they did not have to wait long to take the lead. Modric was the creator with a diagonal pass of the highest calibre that exposed the left side of Villa's defence and when Hutton sent in his cross Van der Vaart side-footed a precise finish low past Friedel into the bottom corner. Spurs were still celebrating taking the lead when Defoe was sent off for making contact with Collins in an aerial tussle. Defoe clearly felt there was no intent, but referee Atkinson did not hesitate to produce the red card. Redknapp's side did not seem adversely affected by having only 10 men and Wilson Palacios was only inches away from adding a second with a rising drive from the edge of the area, a crucial touch from Friedel going unnoticed by the officials. Houllier was forced into a reshuffle before the interval when Heskey limped off to be replaced by Nathan Delfouneso. The Villa boss made another alteration at the start of the second half, introducing the experienced Stilyan Petrov, fit after injury, for Jonathan Hogg. Villa deserved a point - Houllier Once again the home side were not short of possession, but they were short of quality - a brutal reality emphasised when Spurs broke brilliantly to add a second after 67 minutes, started and finished by Van der Vaart. He released the rampaging Bale with a neat flick and, as he drove deep into Villa territory to release Lennon, Van der Vaart arrived with perfect timing to steer low past Friedel once more with his left foot. It was Van der Vaart's final contribution as he was replaced by Peter Crouch, with Villa replacing the tiring Fabian Delph with veteran Robert Pires. Pires was soon in the thick of the action when he was involved in an altercation with Redknapp on the sidelines following a foul on the Frenchman. Albrighton's fortunate goal gave Spurs some anxious moments in the closing stages, but they held on to show once more that they could be contenders for the long haul in the Premier League this season. Live text and stats Sunday, 26 December 2010 Barclays Premier League | Aston Villa | 1-2 | Tottenham | FT | | (HT 0-1) | | | - Van der Vaart 23
- Van der Vaart 67
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ASTON VILLA TOTTENHAM Possession- Aston Villa63%
- Tottenham37%
- Final Result
- Full Time
- 90:00+5:23The final whistle is blown by the referee.
- 90:00+4:50Marc Albrighton concedes a free kick for a foul on Jermaine Jenas. Direct free kick taken by Michael Dawson.
- 90:00+4:18A cross is delivered by Robert Pires, Peter Crouch manages to make a clearance.
- 90:00+4:11Centre by Stewart Downing, blocked by Benoit Assou-Ekotto.
- 90:00+3:16 SubstitutionLuka Modric goes off and Vedran Corluka comes on.
- 90:00+2:47 BookingHeurelho Gomes goes into the book.
- 90:00+2:13Foul by Luka Modric on Eric Lichaj, free kick awarded. Brad Friedel takes the direct free kick. Shot from inside the six-yard box by Eric Lichaj goes wide right of the goal.
- 90:00+2:13 BookingBooking for Luka Modric.
- 90:00+1:11Stiliyan Petrov takes a shot. Save by Heurelho Gomes.
- Correction - 89:47Robert Pires fouled by Jermaine Jenas, the ref awards a free kick. James Collins takes the direct free kick.
- 89:47Free kick awarded for a foul by Jermaine Jenas on Robert Pires. Direct free kick taken by James Collins.
- Correction - 89:00Centre by Eric Lichaj.
- 89:00Eric Lichaj delivers the ball.
- 87:49 SubstitutionJermaine Jenas comes on in place of Aaron Lennon.
- 87:03Marc Albrighton gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Aaron Lennon. Shot comes in from Gareth Bale from the free kick.
- 87:03 BookingGabriel Agbonlahor shown a yellow card.
- 86:06Free kick awarded for a foul by Wilson Palacios on Robert Pires. Free kick taken by Carlos Cuellar.
- 85:47Effort on goal by Stiliyan Petrov from outside the area goes harmlessly over the bar.
- 83:39Inswinging corner taken right-footed by Marc Albrighton, save made by Heurelho Gomes. Stewart Downing takes a shot. Blocked by Wilson Palacios.
- 83:29Centre by Stewart Downing, Michael Dawson makes a clearance.
- 83:18Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Gabriel Agbonlahor by Younes Kaboul. Stewart Downing takes the free kick.
- Correction - 81:30The assist for the goal came from Stephen Warnock.
- Correction - 81:30 GOAL - Marc AlbrightonAston Villa 1 - 2 TottenhamMarc Albrighton finds the net with a goal from 35 yards. Aston Villa 1-2 Tottenham.
- 81:30The ball is sent over by Marc Albrighton, assist on the goal came from Stephen Warnock.
- 81:30 GOAL - Marc AlbrightonAston Villa 1 - 2 TottenhamMarc Albrighton grabs a goal. Aston Villa 1-2 Tottenham.
- 81:00Gabriel Agbonlahor sends in a cross, Eric Lichaj takes a shot. Benoit Assou-Ekotto gets a block in.
- 80:11James Collins is flagged offside by the assistant referee. Heurelho Gomes takes the indirect free kick.
- 79:17Stewart Downing sends in a cross, clearance made by Alan Hutton.
- 78:41Alan Hutton challenges Marc Albrighton unfairly and gives away a free kick. The free kick is delivered right-footed by Stiliyan Petrov from left wing, Benoit Assou-Ekotto manages to make a clearance.
- 78:41 BookingThe referee books Alan Hutton for unsporting behaviour.
- 76:08Effort from the edge of the penalty box by Eric Lichaj goes wide of the right-hand upright.
- 75:39Gabriel Agbonlahor takes a shot. Heurelho Gomes makes a save. Corner taken by Marc Albrighton from the left by-line, save by Heurelho Gomes.
- 75:05The ball is crossed by Marc Albrighton, clearance made by Michael Dawson.
- Correction - 73:05Stewart Downing delivers the ball from the free kick left-footed from left channel, Peter Crouch makes a clearance.
- Correction - 73:05 SubstitutionPeter Crouch replaces Rafael Van der Vaart.
- Correction - 73:05Stiliyan Petrov takes a shot. Luka Modric gets a block in. The ball is swung over by Marc Albrighton, clearance by Michael Dawson. Free kick awarded for a foul by Rafael Van der Vaart on Fabian Delph.
- Correction - 73:05 SubstitutionRobert Pires replaces Fabian Delph.
- 73:05Stewart Downing delivers the ball from the free kick left-footed from left channel, Luka Modric manages to make a clearance.
- 73:05 SubstitutionPeter Crouch is brought on as a substitute for Rafael Van der Vaart.
- 73:05Stiliyan Petrov takes a shot. Luka Modric gets a block in. The ball is crossed by Marc Albrighton, Michael Dawson manages to make a clearance. Unfair challenge on Fabian Delph by Rafael Van der Vaart results in a free kick.
- 73:05 SubstitutionRobert Pires replaces Fabian Delph.
- 72:21Inswinging corner taken right-footed by Marc Albrighton played to the near post, Heurelho Gomes makes a clearance.
- 72:03The ball is crossed by Stephen Warnock, save by Heurelho Gomes. The ball is crossed by Marc Albrighton, Aaron Lennon gets a block in. A cross is delivered by Marc Albrighton, clearance made by Michael Dawson.
- 71:11Gabriel Agbonlahor takes a shot. Save by Heurelho Gomes.
- 69:52Luka Modric takes a shot. Blocked by James Collins.
- 69:14Aaron Lennon takes a shot. James Collins gets a block in. Rafael Van der Vaart decides to take a short corner.
- 68:04Eric Lichaj sends in a cross, Younes Kaboul makes a clearance.
- 66:52The assist for the goal came from Aaron Lennon.
- 66:52 GOAL - Rafael Van der VaartAston Villa 0 - 2 TottenhamGoal scored by Rafael Van der Vaart from just inside the area to the bottom right corner of the goal. Aston Villa 0-2 Tottenham.
- 65:19Inswinging corner taken by Luka Modric from the left by-line, James Collins manages to make a clearance.
- 64:14Eric Lichaj challenges Rafael Van der Vaart unfairly and gives away a free kick. Rafael Van der Vaart restarts play with the free kick.
- 62:48The ball is delivered by Stewart Downing, Header from deep inside the area by Carlos Cuellar goes over the bar.
- 62:17The ball is swung over by Nathan Delfouneso, save made by Heurelho Gomes. Stewart Downing takes a outswinging corner to the near post, clearance made by Gareth Bale.
- 60:59Stephen Warnock sends in a cross, clearance by Benoit Assou-Ekotto.
- 59:05The ball is crossed by Nathan Delfouneso, blocked by Benoit Assou-Ekotto. Corner taken right-footed by Marc Albrighton from the right by-line to the near post, Gareth Bale makes a clearance.
- 57:44The ball is crossed by Stewart Downing, Header by Carlos Cuellar from deep inside the penalty area misses to the left of the target.
- 57:16Stewart Downing takes the outswinging corner, Michael Dawson makes a clearance. The ball is delivered by Marc Albrighton, Younes Kaboul makes a clearance.
- 57:11Marc Albrighton sends in a cross, clearance by Alan Hutton.
- 56:08Shot from outside the box by Rafael Van der Vaart misses to the left of the goal.
- 55:34Unfair challenge on Rafael Van der Vaart by Fabian Delph results in a free kick. Rafael Van der Vaart restarts play with the free kick.
- 55:34 BookingThe referee cautions Fabian Delph for unsporting behaviour.
- Correction - 54:07Fabian Delph produces a left-footed shot from just outside the area that goes wide left of the goal. Free kick awarded for a foul by Marc Albrighton on Benoit Assou-Ekotto. Free kick taken by Younes Kaboul.
- 53:49Fabian Delph produces a left-footed shot from just outside the box that goes wide left of the target. Foul by Marc Albrighton on Benoit Assou-Ekotto, free kick awarded. Younes Kaboul restarts play with the free kick.
- 53:32The ball is delivered by Marc Albrighton. A cross is delivered by Stewart Downing, Wilson Palacios manages to make a clearance.
- 51:09Rafael Van der Vaart is caught offside. Indirect free kick taken by Brad Friedel.
- 50:28Gareth Bale sends in a cross, clearance made by James Collins.
- 49:53Nathan Delfouneso takes a shot. Save made by Heurelho Gomes.
- 49:12Wilson Palacios gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Stiliyan Petrov. Fabian Delph restarts play with the free kick.
- 48:29A cross is delivered by Eric Lichaj, Carlos Cuellar takes a shot. Save made by Heurelho Gomes.
- 48:23The ball is sent over by Stephen Warnock, clearance by Younes Kaboul.
- 47:54Marc Albrighton takes a outswinging corner to the near post.
- 47:44The ball is delivered by Marc Albrighton, blocked by Benoit Assou-Ekotto.
- 46:30Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Rafael Van der Vaart by James Collins. Michael Dawson takes the free kick.
- 45:58Stephen Warnock produces a cross, Younes Kaboul makes a clearance.
- 45:01The second half has started.
- 45:01 SubstitutionStiliyan Petrov is brought on as a substitute for Jonathan Hogg.
- Half Time
- 45:00+2:10The referee calls an end to the first half.
- 42:46The ball is swung over by Stephen Warnock, clearance made by Michael Dawson.
- 41:55The ball is swung over by Aaron Lennon, clearance made by Carlos Cuellar.
- 41:38Nathan Delfouneso challenges Alan Hutton unfairly and gives away a free kick. Michael Dawson restarts play with the free kick.
- 40:03Nathan Delfouneso produces a right-footed shot from just outside the area that goes harmlessly over the bar.
- 38:30 SubstitutionNathan Delfouneso comes on in place of Emile Heskey.
- 38:16Stewart Downing has an effort at goal from outside the area missing to the wide right of the goal.
- 37:31A cross is delivered by Stewart Downing, clearance made by Michael Dawson.
- 36:43Stewart Downing produces a cross.
- Correction - 36:09Wilson Palacios has an effort at goal from just inside the box that misses to the right of the goal.
- 36:09Wilson Palacios produces a right-footed shot from the edge of the box and misses to the right of the goal.
- 34:27Free kick awarded for a foul by Jonathan Hogg on Luka Modric. Heurelho Gomes restarts play with the free kick.
- 34:27 BookingThe referee shows Jonathan Hogg a yellow card.
- 33:04Marc Albrighton gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Benoit Assou-Ekotto. Direct free kick taken by Rafael Van der Vaart. Younes Kaboul takes a shot. Save made by Brad Friedel.
- 32:14Foul by Wilson Palacios on Jonathan Hogg, free kick awarded. Free kick taken by Carlos Cuellar.
- 30:38Stewart Downing sends in a cross, Shot by Marc Albrighton from deep inside the penalty area misses wide to the left of the target.
- 30:19Stewart Downing sends in a cross, save by Heurelho Gomes.
- 28:21Gabriel Agbonlahor crosses the ball, Headed effort from inside the area by Emile Heskey misses to the right of the goal.
- 26:48Free kick awarded for a foul by Jermain Defoe on James Collins. Free kick taken by James Collins.
- 26:48 Sent offJermain Defoe sent off.
- 26:25Centre by Marc Albrighton, Younes Kaboul manages to make a clearance.
- 25:48Michael Dawson concedes a free kick for a foul on Emile Heskey. James Collins crosses the ball in from the free kick, clearance made by Younes Kaboul.
- 24:12Stephen Warnock challenges Aaron Lennon unfairly and gives away a free kick. The free kick is swung in left-footed by Rafael Van der Vaart, clearance made by James Collins. Corner from the left by-line taken by Rafael Van der Vaart, save made by Brad Friedel.
- 22:53The assist for the goal came from Alan Hutton.
- 22:53 GOAL - Rafael Van der VaartAston Villa 0 - 1 TottenhamRafael Van der Vaart gets on the score sheet with a goal from close range to the bottom right corner of the goal. Aston Villa 0-1 Tottenham.
- 21:35The ball is swung over by Aaron Lennon, Rafael Van der Vaart has an effort from just inside the box that misses to the left of the goal.
- 21:05Marc Albrighton takes a shot. Save by Heurelho Gomes.
- 20:31The ball is crossed by Younes Kaboul, Stewart Downing makes a clearance.
- 18:54A cross is delivered by Fabian Delph. The ball is crossed by Stewart Downing, clearance made by Younes Kaboul.
- 18:35Stewart Downing delivers the ball.
- 18:01Stewart Downing takes a inswinging corner to the near post, save made by Heurelho Gomes. Stewart Downing crosses the ball, Younes Kaboul manages to make a clearance.
- 17:34Gabriel Agbonlahor takes a shot. Save by Heurelho Gomes. Gabriel Agbonlahor takes a shot. Save made by Heurelho Gomes.
- 14:07Stewart Downing takes a shot. Save by Heurelho Gomes. Gareth Bale fouled by Eric Lichaj, the ref awards a free kick. Rafael Van der Vaart delivers the ball from the free kick left-footed from left wing.
- 12:51Marc Albrighton crosses the ball, Benoit Assou-Ekotto gets a block in. Centre by Marc Albrighton, clearance by Younes Kaboul.
- 12:44Stephen Warnock produces a cross, Michael Dawson makes a clearance.
- 10:53Floated corner taken by Rafael Van der Vaart, Luka Modric takes a shot. James Collins gets a block in.
- 10:34Jermain Defoe takes a shot. Blocked by Carlos Cuellar.
- 9:54The ball is sent over by Gareth Bale.
- 8:28Centre by Marc Albrighton, Heurelho Gomes makes a save.
- 6:34Free kick awarded for a foul by Jonathan Hogg on Rafael Van der Vaart. The ball is swung over by Rafael Van der Vaart, Header from deep inside the area by Gareth Bale goes harmlessly over the crossbar.
- 3:46Jermain Defoe takes a shot. Save by Brad Friedel.
- 2:05Marc Albrighton gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Wilson Palacios. Benoit Assou-Ekotto restarts play with the free kick.
- 1:28Gabriel Agbonlahor has a headed effort at goal from just inside the area that misses to the right of the target.
- 0:57Marc Albrighton takes a shot. Save by Heurelho Gomes. Marc Albrighton takes a shot. Benoit Assou-Ekotto gets a block in.
- 0:26Unfair challenge on Gabriel Agbonlahor by Younes Kaboul results in a free kick. Eric Lichaj restarts play with the free kick.
- 0:00The ref blows the whistle to start the match.
Live text and data provided by The Press Association.
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