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Live Commentary: Spurs 2-0 Aston Villa - as it happened

Live text coverage of the clash between Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa at White Hart Lane.

Good afternoon and welcome to Sports Mole's live text commentary of the Premier League encounter between Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa at White Hart Lane.

The hosts will be looking to continue their impressive league form following the dramatic victory over Manchester United last weekend.

Despite their disappointing start to the season, Darren Bent's equaliser against West Bromwich Albion a week ago means that Villa enter the match with renewed confidence.

In what promises to be an exciting contest in North London, you can watch the events unfold below.


86 minsLennon is given a rest by Villas-Boas and the Spurs fans give the winger a standing ovation.Andros Townsend is his replacement.

85 minsSigurdsson is unlikely to not score just after coming on. The midfielder exchanges passes with Adebayor but Vlaar recovers well to block the resulting shot on goal.

82 minsBale, operating on the right wing now, cuts in and unleashes a low drive but Guzan lets the ball hit the side netting. Dempsey's job is done for the day as he is replaced by Gylfi Sigurdsson.

80 minsVilla are left chasing shadows and Adebayor's cheeky attempt at a lob is easily stopped by Guzan after a flowing passing move from Spurs.

78 minsBennett is being stretchered off after landing awkwardly following a collision with Lennon and Villa are now down to ten men after making all of their substitutes.

76 minsDempsey should have added a third for Spurs. Bale crosses for the American but he fals to hit the target with a free header from six yards. i could be being slightly harsh as he was stretching but he should have scored.

75 minsHolman is replaced by Barry Bannan as Villa go searching for a way back into this match.

74 minsWalker is shown the yellow card for illegally halting Holman's dangerous run.

72 minsVilla are struggling and Spurs are handed another chance when Clark gives away a needless corner. The danger is cleared but the hosts are on top now.

70 minsAdebayor almost makes an instant impact as he teases the Villa defence before attempting to curl the ball past Guzan but his effort is blocked by his teammate Dempsey

69 minsThat goal came just after Charles N'Zogbia and Darren Bent had come on to replace Albrighton and Delph. Spurs make their first substitute too, with Defoe leaving the field to be replaced by Emmanuel Adebayor.

68 minsDempsey is allowed too much room and he picks out Lennon who takes a touch before firing the ball into the bottom corner of the net for his first goal in the league since January.

67 minsGoal! Spurs 2-0 Villa (Lennon)

63 minsGallas gives the ball away and Delph has a go from 25 yards but it's harmless.

61 minsSpurs are on top now and Defoe has a chance to add a second when he cuts in onto his left foot but the shot is wayward.

59 minsCorrrection, I think it's a first Tottenham goal for Caulker. Bale's corner finds Defoe at the back post and he is allowed enough time to shoot but the ball hits Caulker to leave Guzan with no chance.

58 minsGoal! Spurs 1-0 Villa (Defoe)

57 minsLennon cuts in to attack the Villa defence but he's brought down by El Ahmadi and Spurs have a free kick from 30 yards out.

57 minsSo close from Defoe! Sandro does superb to get away from Holman and he finds the England striker but Guzan is able to watch the ball roll past his post.

55 minsBale delivers a superb cross that Caulker fails to turn in with an outstretched boot at the far post. It's definitely a better match at the beginning of this second half.

53 minsLloris breathes a huge sigh of relief when he throws the ball straight to Albrighton but Benteke's free header from the winger's cross is inches wide of the post.

51 minsA good run from Sandro begins a promising move but Lennon's poor touch allows the ball to run out of play. Defoe looks particularly annoyed with that mistake.

49 minsBennett is shown the yellow card after pulling Lennon's shirt. The resulting attack ends with the ball flashing wide of Guzan's post following a powerful drive from Vertonghen.

47 minsBest chance of the game so far falls to Villa. A loose ball drops to Benteke inside the box but the striker's shot is straight at Lloris.

46 minsThe teams are back out and the second half begins.

HTYou can read Matt Domm's half-time report of the action at White Hart Lane here: Spurs 0-0 Villa

HTThe last match Friedel missed in the Premier League came back in May 2004.

HTThe big news of the day will be the decision of Villas-Boas to leave Brad Friedel on the bench. Lloris has looked solid in goal but he has not been stretched too much.

HTPlenty to think about for Andre Villas-Boas during the interval. The hosts have struggled to create any clear chances and that's an unusual trait for Spurs.

HTIt's half-time in North London and it's been far from a thriller. Spurs have enjoyed more of the ball but Paul Lambert will be encouraged by his side's play on the break.

46 minsMore good work from Lloris to clear the danger with a powerful punch but Spurs can't force a counter attack.

45 minsVilla have a chance just before the break after Dembele concedes a free kick just inside his own half.

44 minsLennon's pace looks a worry for Villa as his progress is stopped by El Ahmadi just beyond the halfway line.

42 minsDempsey shows great skill to go past Delph and begin another attack but Sandro's cross is wayward as the home side's frustration continues.

40 minsIt's probably the closest Spurs have come as a Sandro cross evades Defoe to land in the grateful arms of Guzan.

38 minsCouple of good pieces of goalkeeping from Lloris. The France international rushes out to snatch the ball from the feet of Agbonlahor before changing role to sweeper with a clearance to keep out Benteke.

36 minsDembele is a class act in midfield, he's been too clever for Villa in this match.

34 minsVertonghen is unlucky not to find the target with a half volley on the turn but Guzan has no worries there.

30 minsPlenty of pressure from Spurs but they haven't created too many opportunities yet. Villa look dangerous on the counter attack.

25 minsFirst yellow card of the match comes when Dembele fools Delph in midfield before being brought down by the former Leeds United midfielder.

21 minsVlaar has definitely got a motor in him! The central defender once again matches Bale for pace to prevent a potentially dangerous attack.

18 minsLloris is called into action for the first time this afternoon as he pushes away a Benteke shot following a good break from the visitors.

16 minsSandro escapes a booking for a foul on Agbonlahor, the Brazilian is very lucky there.

13 minsSuperb from Vlaar as he chases down Bale to block a dangerous cross. Corner to Spurs.

10 minsVilla have their first shot of the match but it?s a poor one as El Ahmadi fires the ball into the top row from 25 yards.

8 minsBale intercepts a poor back pass and goes down when Guzan rushes out of his goal but there appeared to be no contact on the winger. The American asks for a yellow card to be awarded but the referee isn?t interested.

5 minsSpurs continue to apply pressure on the Villa defence as a Vertonghen free kick is just out of reach for Defoe.

3 minsIt's a superb start from the hosts as they go close again. Jan Vertonghen whips a superb cross towards Jermain Defoe but the striker puts his effort over the bar. The assistant referee did raise his flag for offside.

1 minSpurs get the game underway and Gareth Bale has an early chance but he fires wide of Brad Guzan?s post.

TH vs. AVAston Villa: Guzan, Bennett, Vlaar, Clark, Lowton, Holman, El Ahmadi, Delph, Albrighton, Benteke, Agbonlahor

TH vs. AVSpurs: Lloris, Walker, Gallas, Caulker, Vertonghen, Lennon, Dembele, Sandro, Bale, Defoe, Dempsey

TH vs. AVHello everyone, we'll start the coverage with team news from both sides.
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