Tottenham Hotspur made a return to winning ways in the Premier League on Sunday as they came from behind to beat 10-man Aston Villa 2-1 at Villa Park.
The hosts took the lead on 16 minutes when Andres Weimann ended their recent goal drought by poking past Hugo Lloris, but Christian Benteke was sent off for Villa midway through the second half for raising his hands to Ryan Mason.
Spurs made the extra man count on 84 minutes thanks to Nacer Chadli's instinctive finish from a corner, and the turnaround was complete with just a minute of normal time remaining when substitute Harry Kane's deflected free kick made its way past Brad Guzan.
Read Sports Mole's minute-by-minute report below to find out how all of the action unfolded.
Good afternoon and welcome to Sports Mole's live text coverage today's Premier League clash between Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur at Villa Park. Both sides come into this match in need of the points after poor runs of form in recent weeks. We should have team news for you shortly.
ASTON VILLA: Guzan; Lowton, Vlaar, Baker, Cissokho; Westwood, Cleverley, Sanchez, Weimann, N'Zogbia; Benteke
ASTON VILLA SUBS: Given, Cole, Bent, Richardson, Clark, Grealish Agbonlahor
After seeing his side lose 2-0 at Queens Park Rangers on Monday night, Villa boss Paul Lambert has made two changes to his starting lineup for today's game. Nathan Baker and Charles N'Zogbia are both recalled, while Ciaran Clark and Gabriel Agbonlahor drop to the bench.
SPURS: Lloris; Naughton, Kaboul, Vertonghen, Rose; Capoue, Chadli, Eriksen, Mason; Adebayor, Soldado
SPURS SUBS: Vorm, Fazio, Dembele, Stambouli, Lamela, Townsend, Kane
Meanwhile, Spurs coach Mauricio Pochettino has made a whopping eight changes following on from his team's 2-0 victory over Brighton in the League Cup in midweek. Hugo Lloris returns in goal, while Younes Kaboul, Nacer Chadli, Christian Eriksen and Emmanuel Adebayor are also among those who are back in the XI.
UPDATE! Today's early kickoff in the Premier League is between local rivals Manchester City and Manchester United at the Etihad Stadium. City currently lead the visitors 1-0 thanks to a goal from Sergio Aguero, while United are down to 10 men after Chris Smalling was sent off. We'll bring you that full-time result as soon as it's through, which should be in around five minutes.
Anyway, looking at this afternoon's game at Villa Park it's clear that both teams are in desperate need of the points. Villa have been in woeful form as of late, losing their last five games in the league. During that time they've also failed to find the net, something which manager Paul Lambert has been philosophical about. Spurs have also struggled in recent weeks, with two straight losses seeing them slip down to the bottom half of the table. How they could do with a victory this afternoon.
Looking at the table, a win for Villa would lift Paul Lambert's side from 15th place up to 11th place. The Villans would be level on points with Midlands rivals West Brom, but their inferior goal difference would keep them in the bottom half. As for Spurs, three points could put the North Londoners as high as seventh position.
Aston Villa midfielder Tom Cleverley: "I don't think our confidence has been knocked, we know what we we're capable of and we just need to perform and work hard in training and do the business on Sunday. The determination and aim is to come out fighting against Tottenham, and everyone pulling together as a team to get a result.
"The fans have been great with me since I joined. When you're not scoring goals and not winning games they've got a right to be frustrated. We're paid to turn that around and make sure goals and wins come again. Hopefully we can repay them on Sunday."
UPDATE! The full-time whistle has gone at the Etihad Stadium where Manchester City have beaten Manchester United 1-0 thanks to Sergio Aguero's 63rd-minute strike. The champions were forced to hold on at the end as United pushed for an equaliser, but they just about managed to.
Spurs coach Mauricio Pochettino: "We played well for the first 45 minutes against Newcastle but we had a lack of concentration at the beginning of the second half and that changed the game. After that, it was difficult.
"It's important that the players realise the situation and what we need to improve. It's always good to be honest. Maybe it's a tough period but the only way to move forward is to work hard every day and believe and I believe in our skill, our way and our philosophy."
HEAD TO HEAD: Spurs have the better record when it comes to past meetings between these teams, winning 60 matches compared to Villa's 52. There have also been 35 draws since they first faced each other over 100 years ago.
It's safe to say that Spurs have had the better of this fixture in recent times, winning five out of the last six encounters. They've triumphed emphatically in those games as well, scoring a total of 15 goals. Villa's last victory over Tottenham came back in September 2008 with a 2-1 victory at White Hart Lane in the league.
Got a spare couple of minutes before kickoff? Why not check out our video preview of today's match below:
A lot has been made of Villa's recent goal drought, but it's worth reminding you that the last time they found the net was back on September 13 when Gabriel Agbonlahor struck to give them a 1-0 win over Liverpool at Anfield.
Plenty has also been made of Tottenham's lack of concentration during last weekend's defeat at home to Newcastle. The hosts conceded just 10 seconds into the second half after a number of players appeared not ready. Mauricio Pochettino expressed his anger following the match, and you would expect him to have drilled into his team this week the importance of being focused for the whole game.
Less than 10 minutes to go until kickoff and one or two players are starting to emerge in the tunnel at Villa Park. Ron Vlaar will lead out the hosts this afternoon, while Younes Kaboul skippers the visitors.
Here comes the teams! Villa Park is pretty full this afternoon and you would expect there to be plenty of noise during today's game. As mentioned earlier, both of these sides are in need of the points. Villa have been in woeful form in recent weeks, while two defeats on the bounce for Spurs have put pressure on Mauricio Pochettino. Kickoff is moments away!
KICKOFF! The players are out, the pre-match handshakes have been done, and it will be hosts Villa to get us underway. Here we go!
CHANCE! Spurs come close to opening the scoring with just 36 seconds on the clock as Soldado takes aim from 25 yards, but the Spaniard's low drive fizzes inches wide of the post. An early warning sign for Villa there.
It's been a fairly busy start to this game, with Villa not letting that early chance for Spurs affect them. Benteke does well to earn his side a corner on the left side, which is headed towards goal by Weimann. However, Rose is there to hoof the ball away.
Both teams are finding it difficult to keep hold of the ball at the moment. The passing isn't particularly sparkling, but that's providing the game with a certain degree of openness. Spurs carve out an opportunity as Rose receives the ball down the left, but his cross is a poor one that goes out of play on the far side. The visitors are probably looking just that little bit more dangerous right now.
A quick passage of play sees N'Zogbia surge upfield before giving the ball away to Eriksen. The Dane then powers into the Villa half before setting Adebayor away, but the flag goes up for offside.
CHANCE! Benteke comes within inches of giving Villa the lead by stooping to head Baker's devilish cross, but the Belgian's effort goes narrowly wide of the post. Spurs had been threatening at the other end before that, only for the hosts to remind them of what they're capable of.
MISS! Now it's Spurs who almost take the lead! Eriksen's deflected effort in a crowded box ends up falling for Soldado, though the striker can only plant his header wide with the goal at his mercy. It may have been that he wasn't expecting it to come his way.
OFF THE POST! The fast-paced start to this match continues as Benteke has another good sight of goal, only to be denied by the woodwork. He peels off his marker superbly on the edge of the box before rattling the post with a powerful drive that has Lloris beaten.
GOAL! ASTON VILLA 1-0 SPURS (WEIMANN)
The wait is over! It's been 50 days since they last scored a goal, but Aston Villa now have one thanks to Andy Weimann! N'Zogbia does brilliantly down the right, jinking past a couple of players before picking out Weimann in the centre of the box. It's not an easy finish for the Austrian, but he's able to put a leg out to guide the ball into the bottom corner.
Villa are looking full of confidence following that goal. They're putting lots of pressure on Spurs, giving the visitors hardly any time on the ball. Mauricio Pochettino's side are having to think quickly on their feet because they've got claret and blue shirts bearing down on them all the time.
CHANCE! What an opportunity for Kaboul to draw Spurs level! A free kick is whipped into the Villa box, causing all sorts of confusion. The ball eventually falls for the Tottenham captain, but he can't get it out of his feet and Guzan is there to smother.
YELLOW CARD! The first booking of the game goes to Spurs midfielder Eriksen, who is cautioned for pulling back N'Zogbia with Villa looking to break.
SAVE! That really should be 1-1, but Guzan is there to deny Adebayor! The Spurs striker is put clear through in goal by Soldado, only to see his low effort tipped away by the fingertips of Guzan. This is a good spell from Spurs, who have had 68% of possession since they went behind.
Mauricio Pochettino did not look impressed with that missed opportunity for Adebayor. The Argentine was quick to get up off his seat in the dugout and throw his water bottle down in frustration. He's clearly not happy with what he's seeing right now, though it must be said that Spurs are playing some bright football.
Spurs switch off for a second as Lowton sneaks in at the back post to volley Cissokho's cross wide. The youngster gets a corner out of the situation, but Adebayor is back there to clear the danger. While Tottenham are looking half-decent going forward, it's at the back where they continue to look shaky.
Something of a half-chance for Villa as Weimann anticipates a cross from the left before volleying over from the edge of the box. That was a difficult chance for the Austrian. This match remains evenly-balanced, with both sides continuing to show plenty of attacking intent.
YELLOW CARD! Villa full-back Cissokho now goes into the book for a foul on Mason. Spurs whip the resulting free kick into the box, though it comes to nothing.
Weimann almosts costs his team there by giving the ball away to Eriksen in a dangerous area. The Dane advances into the Villa box before winning his side a corner, but again the set piece is wasted by the North Londoners. Five minutes left to play until half time. Mauricio Pochettino still has a face like thunder down on the touchline. You get the feeling that one or two of the Spurs players will be getting a stern talking to during the break.
CHANCE! What a goal that would have been from Benteke! A long ball into the Spurs box is met by the head of the Belgian, who leaps high above Kaboul before nodding wide. That was pure athleticism from the forward.
There will be ONE MINUTE of added time at the end of the first half...
HALF TIME: ASTON VILLA 1-0 SPURS
The half-time whistle goes and it's Aston Villa who are in front thanks to Andreas Weimann's goal on 16 minutes. The hosts have been impressive during the opening 45 minutes, but Spurs have also had their chances, most notably when Brad Guzan saved from Emmanuel Adebayor from close range.
The Villa players are sure to be relieved after ending their 50-day goal drought. It had seemed like an age since they last found the net, but Weimann's strike has removed that hoodoo and allowed them to play more openly. Despite being behind, Spurs have played some incisive football, though a lack of quality in the final third has cost them.
UPDATE! Today's early kickoff in the Premier League saw champions Man City earn a narrow 1-0 win at home to rivals Man Utd. Sergio Aguero scored the decisive goal, while the visitors had Chris Smalling sent off for two bookable offences. You can read our match report here.
Spurs will certainly be feeling as if they can get something out of this match. While they're currently behind, the visitors have looked threatening up front. Eriksen in particular has been dangerous on the ball, while Rose has been afforded plenty of space down the left to put some good crosses into the box.
SECOND HALF UNDERWAY! The teams are back out and it will be Spurs to get us back underway. Incidentally, the visitors have made a change at the break with Erik Lamela replacing Eriksen. So much for me thinking he'd had a decent first half.
It's been a positive start to the second half from Spurs, who are looking to push forward early. Chadli worries the Villa defence by dancing his way past a couple of defenders before winning a corner, but the away side fail to make anything of it.
CHANCE! An error from Guzan almost gifts Spurs an equaliser, but Adebayor can't capitalise. Chadlis cross from the right is fumbled by the Villa goalkeeper with the striker lurking inside around the six-yard box. However, he only prods the rebound wide from close range.
Spurs have been a far more dominant proposition since the start of the second period. They're moving the ball with a lot more urgency and confidence. That said, Mauricio Pochettino is still flustered down on the touchline. He knows that another defeat this afternoon will crank up the pressure on him and his players considerably.
SPURS SUB: Another change for Spurs sees young Harry Kane replace Emmanuel Adebayor. The striker has eight goals to his name so far this season, though none have come in the top flight.
Kane almost has an instant impact, winning a corner for his side before heading straight at Guzan. He certainly looks eager to give Mauricio Pochettino something to think about.
YELLOW CARD! Vertonghen goes into the book for a high, dangerous tackle on Westwood that provokes a bit of a scuffle between the two sets of players. A yellow card was probably the right decision from referee Neil Swarbrick, though reds have been given for similar challenges in the past.
RED CARD! BENTEKE (ASTON VILLA)
Oh my! Villa go down to 10 men as Benteke is shown a straight red card! The Belgian gets involved in a scuffle with Lamela and is given his marching orders after putting his hands to the latter's face. A few players were getting a bit hot under the collar there, but it's Benteke who goes for his silly reaction.
Lamela tries to make something happen for Spurs by having a crack at goal from about 20 yards, though his tame effort is eventually held by Guzan. A word on the red card: it was a soft one, that is for certain, but Benteke should know better than to raise his hands to an opponent.
YELLOW CARD! Now it's Weimann who is cautioned after having a right go at the linesman following a decision that didn't go his way. Such a lack of discipline from some of the players out there this afternoon.
SPURS SUB: A final change for the visitors sees Andros Townsend replace Etienne Capoue. Can the England international get the away side back into this game?
ASTON VILLA SUB: Now it's Villa who make a change as Gabriel Agbonlahor is introduced in place of Charles N'Zogbia, who has been a model of energy today down the right wing.
Villa are just about holding on at the moment, though there is a sense of anxiety among the home fans. The hosts are having to defend a fair bit as we head into the final 10 minutes. Tottenham are beginning to throw everything at their opponents, with crosses from both sides causing problems.
YELLOW CARD! Spurs midfielder Nacer Chadli rightly goes into the book for a late challenge on Westwood. As you might expect, the Villa players aren't in any rush when it comes to keeping this game flowing. They're taking their time for throws, corners and free kicks, frustrating Spurs.
GOAL! ASTON VILLA 1-1 SPURS (CHADLI)
Spurs finally get their equaliser thanks to an instinctive finish from Nacer Chadli! A corner from the right misses almost everyone, but there's Chadli at the back post to prod a clever shot past Guzan and into the back of the net. The visitors might well fancy themselves to get the win now.
CHANCE! Villa almost regain the lead through Cissokho, but his ferocious drive goes inches wide of the post following good work from Agbonlahor. The hosts make a change shortly after that as Andres Weimann is withdrawn in place of Kieran Richardson.
GOAL! ASTON VILLA 1-2 SPURS (KANE)
What a story! Substitute Harry Kane surely gives Spurs the win with a free kick that is heavily deflected into the back of the net. Townsend wins the set piece after being felled by Sanchez, allowing Kane to fire the ball past Guzan thanks to a wicked nick off Baker.
There will be SIX MINUTES of added time...
VILLA SUB: The hosts roll the dice one last time, bringing on Darren Bent for Aly Cissokho. Villa have three minutes to get something out of this game.
FULL TIME: ASTON VILLA 1-2 SPURS
And there it is! They had to do it the hard way, but Spurs have picked up the win thanks to a 2-1 victory over Aston Villa. Andreas Weimann gave the hosts a first-half lead before they were reduced to 10 men midway through the second half when Christian Benteke was shown a red card. Nacer Chadli equalised for Spurs 84 minutes and the turnaround was complete in the final minute of normal time thanks to substitute Harry Kane's deflected free kick.
That's all from our live text coverage of today's match, but don't forget that you can follow all of the reaction from both camps right here on Sports Mole. Thanks for your company, we hope to see you again soon. Goodbye!
