Aston Villa's Premier League goal drought came to an end at 547 minutes this afternoon when Andreas Weimann struck to give them a 1-0 half-time lead against Tottenham Hotspur.
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Spurs started with both Emmanuel Adebayor and Roberto Soldado in their XI and the latter fired an early warning shot wide inside the opening minute.
Down the other end, Christian Benteke threatened twice in quick succession. First, his stooping header flashed wide before a left-footed rasper crashed against the woodwork.
Soldado had another chance when a ball spurted his way in the area, but he could not react quick enough to head into the unguarded net.
Villa went into the game without a goal since September but finally found the net in the 16th minute when Weimann slid in to direct Charles N'Zogbia's low cross into the corner.
Spurs captain Younes Kaboul could have equalised soon after, but could only hit the ball straight at Villa keeper Brad Guzan from close range.
Adebayor then had a golden chance to pull the visitors level, collecting a through ball from Soldado before he too was thwarted by Guzan.
Benteke almost netted his first goal of the season to double Villa's lead before the break when his athletic header curled just wide of the upright.
Follow the second half on Sports Mole by clicking here.
Pascal Lemesre
