Tottenham Hotspur climbed up to fifth place in the Premier League table on Sunday thanks to a 2-0 win at Aston Villa.
The visitors took the lead with 30 minutes on the clock as Andros Townsend's cross evaded everyone before going in at the back post.
The victory was then sealed in the 69th minute when Roberto Soldado scored his first goal from open play for Spurs.
Read Sports Mole's minute-by-minute report below to find out how the action unfolded.
Hello there and welcome to Sports Mole's live text coverage of this afternoon's Premier League encounter between Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur at Villa Park. We should have some team news for you any minute now...
While we wait for the team news to come in, let's put today's game into context. Villa are currently just three points above the drop zone, but they are hoping to extend their unbeaten run in the league to four matches. Meanwhile, seventh-placed Spurs are looking to bounce back from their surprise 3-0 defeat at home to West Ham United last time out.
ASTON VILLA: Guzan; Bacuna, Vlaar, Clark, El Ahmadi; Westwood, Luna, Delph, Weimann, Agbonlahor; Kozak
ASTON VILLA SUBS: Steer, Baker, Herd, Bennett, Bowery, Tonev, Sylla
Aston Villa boss Paul Lambert has stuck with the same side that drew 0-0 with Hull City two weeks ago. There was talk that Christian Benteke could return from injury for today's match, but the Belgian international is not in the squad.
TOTTENHAM: Lloris; Walker, Chiriches, Dawson, Vertonghen; Paulinho, Sandro; Townsend, Holtby, Sigurdsson; Soldado
TOTTENHAM SUBS: Friedel, Naughton, Dembele, Eriksen, Lamela, Lennon, Defoe
Spurs manager Andre Villas-Boas has opted for three changes to his starting XI as Vlad Chiriches, Lewis Holtby and Roberto Soldado. Meanwhile, Aaron Lennon returns from injury to take a place on the bench.
CORRECTION: Something of a dramatic twist before this match has even started - Benteke has now been named among the Aston Villa subs!
It's a big boost to see Benteke's name on the subs bench if you're a Villa fan. He may have missed the last few weeks through injury, but he is the sort of player that is more than capable of roughing up the Spurs defence if necessary.
UPDATE: What on Earth is going on at Villa Park?! The home side have now made another change to their squad as Nathan Baker replaces Ciaran Clark in the starting lineup.
UPDATE: For those interested in the Championship, today's match between Leeds United and Birmingham City has just ended. It was a fairly comfortable victory for Leeds in the end as they ran out 4-0 winners. You can read our match report here.
Anyway, back to business. Villa and Spurs have already played each other this season, meeting at Villa Park last month in the third round of the Capital One Cup. However, it was an unhappy night for Paul Lambert's men as they were thrashed 4-0 thanks to two goals from Jermain Defoe and further strikes from Paulinho and Nacer Chadli.
RECENT FORM:
VILLA: WLWLWD
SPURS: WWWDWL
There will be plenty of attention on Andros Townsend today following his heroics for England during the past week. The young winger should have an extra spring in his already-dynamic step after signing a new four-year deal on Friday.
HEAD TO HEAD: It's been pretty close when these two teams have met down the years, with Spurs winning 58 matches to Villa's 52. There have been 35 draws.
However, it has been fairly one-sided in the past few years as Villa have failed to pick up a win in their last 10 games versus Spurs. The North-London outfit have recorded seven victories during that time, including two 4-0 triumphs in the last two fixtures.
WEATHER UPDATE: For those interested in the unpredictable British weather, it is raining quite heavily at Villa Park. Plenty of umbrellas up.
Around 10 minutes until this one gets underway. The players should be out of the tunnel shortly.
Great to see @bentekechris20 back involved. #AVFCLIVE #AVFC #THFC pic.twitter.com/1Ixp5uHYEh — Aston Villa FC (@AVFCOfficial) October 20, 2013
Here come the players!
Right, the pre-match rituals have been done and it will be Aston Villa to kick us off. For the record, the rain continues to absolutely hammer down at Villa Park.
It's been a fairly entertaining start so far, with both teams showing plenty of attacking intent. The first real chance falls to Agbonlahor, but he can only smash the ball high over the crossbar from about 15 yards.
The slickness of the pitch is already playing a part as both teams are passing the ball around with real zip. Spurs just about in control right now, though Villa are closing them down well.
Something of a half-chance for the visitors there as Sigurdsson's corner just evades Dawson, who was flying through the air looking to get his head on the ball.
YELLOW CARD: First booking of the match goes to Aston Villa's Ashley Westwood for a late challenge on Holtby.
One or two sarcastic cheers from the Villa fans as referee Phil Dowd awards the home side a free kick.
It's the visitors who are still controlling the majority of the possession at the moment, but they're struggling to cause any real danger in and around the Villa box. Soldado in particular hasn't really had a sniff yet.
That kind of sums Spurs up right now. They knock the ball around nicely along the right touchline before Walker's hopeful pass over the top goes straight to Guzan.
SHOT! Not exactly the most venomous strike in the world from Sandro as the Brazilian midfielder's long-range effort is gathered by Guzan.
Paulinho is lucky not to go into the book there following a clumsy challenge on Delph. The Villa midfielder was knocked off the ball with some force by the Brazilian.
CHANCE! Nearly an opening goal for the hosts as Westwood's free kick almost evades everyone before going into the far corner. However, Lloris does well to get down and push the ball away.
While Westwood's earlier delivery was one of quality, his latest is anything but. Villa win themselves a corner on the left side, but the midfielder blasts the ball well over the crossbar when he had men in the middle.
CHANCE! Spurs threaten now as Holtby's free kick is almost met by Dawson and then Vertonghen. It's all pretty even at the moment, with both teams seeing plenty of the ball. Meanwhile, Weimann shoots over from the edge of the box at the other end.
PHOTO On his first #BPL start since January, Spurs midfielder Sandro tackles Villa's Agbonlahor. Still 0-0 #AVLTOT pic.twitter.com/L9VRIluidy — Premier League (@premierleague) October 20, 2013
GOAL! ASTON VILLA 0-1 SPURS (TOWNSEND)
The visitors lead and it's Andros Townsend who has broken the deadlock with a pretty bizarre goal! The England winger picked the ball up on the right side before delivering a cross in with his left foot that missed everyone and went in at the far post. It may be unorthodox, but Spurs lead.
Following the celebrations after Spurs goal, some idiot in the away end threw a lit flare down to the pitch that hit the linesman. There was a brief break in play but the official seems to be okay.
CHANCE! Nearly a second for Spurs as Sigurdsson meets Vertonghen's cross with a header, only to put the ball over from about eight yards. That was a glorious opportunity.
YELLOW CARD: Paulinho brings down Delph on the edge of the box and goes into the book. The resulting free kick from Bacuna goes over the bar.
Five minutes of normal time left in this first half.
CHANCE! Some sustained pressure from Villa almost ends in a goal as Weimann shoots narrowly wide from 18 yards. Lloris looked like he might have had that covered but it was a decent effort from the Austrian.
Two minutes added time.
HALF TIME: ASTON VILLA 0-1 SPURS
Spurs come within inches of extending their lead on the stroke of half time, but Guzan did well to get down low and push away Townsend's effort from the edge of the box. Either way, the visitors lead thanks to the winger's earlier, albeit it fortunate, goal.
HALF-TIME Villa 0-1 Spurs. Andros Townsend's fine week continues as he puts the visitors ahead at the break #AVLTOT pic.twitter.com/4fCWIDBVvu — Premier League (@premierleague) October 20, 2013
All in all it was a decent first half at Villa Park, though chances were few and far between. That said, the hosts may be down but they are still very much in this match.
Spurs will move up to fifth place in the Premier League table if they can hold onto this lead.
BREAKING NEWS: An interesting development with regards to the Football Association's new commission as Rio Ferdinand and Roy Hodgson agree to join the panel.
Anyway, back to this match. Spurs kick off the second half for us.
It's the visitors who have started this second half more brightly, with Townsend seeing plenty of the ball down the right wing. He manages to get an effort away on the edge of the area, but he takes a wild swing at the ball and shoots over.
SAVE! That's another fine stop from Guzan to deny Spurs a second goal. Paulinho managed to work some space inside the box before hitting a low shot towards the bottom corner. However, Guzan is there to avert the danger.
YELLOW CARD: Michael Dawson goes into the book after chopping down Weimann from behind.
Spurs are looking far more likely to get the game's second goal at the moment. The visitors are knocking the ball around with a lot more confidence while Villa are being forced to chase.
UPDATE: Apparently a Spurs fan has been escorted out of the stadium but police are refusing to confirm whether it is to do with the flare-throwing incident from earlier.
YELLOW CARD: Gabriel Agbonlahor now goes into the book for catching Kyle Walker with a flailing arm.
It looks like Christian Benteke will be introduced any minute now...
SUBSTITUTION: Here he comes. Benteke replaces Libor Kozak for Villa. Can the Belgian make a difference?
CHANCE! Villa nearly level through Benteke - he's really given his side a boost since coming on. The striker rises highest to meet Bacuna's cross, but he can only head over.
SUBSTITUTION: A change for Spurs now as Aaron Lennon returns after two months out with a foot injury to replace Gylfi Sigurdsson.
Villa are really building up a head of steam at the moment. They've definitely got Spurs on the rack. Can they capitalise with an equaliser?
GOAL! ASTON VILLA 0-2 SPURS (SOLDADO)
That one can be put down to the curse of the commentator. Spurs extend their lead thanks to Roberto Soldado's first goal from open play for the club. The Spaniard was played in beautifully by Paulinho, and he did the rest with a simple dinked finish over Guzan from close range. Simple yet devastating from the visitors.
SUBSTITUTIONS: Changes for both teams now as Karim El Ahmadi is replaced by Yacouba Sylla for Villa, while Moussa Dembele comes on in place of Lewis Holtby for Spurs.
CHANCE! Almost another goal for Townsend as the winger lets one rip after cutting in on his left foot, but it goes narrowly over the crossbar.
Villa are still giving this a go, though it would be miraculous if they get something out of this now. Just under 15 minutes left to play at Villa Park.
SUBSTITUTION: A final swap for Villa now as Gabriel Agbonlahor comes off in place of Aleksandar Tonev.
CHANCE! Agonisingly close for Spurs as Paulinho somehow fails to get his head onto Townsend's cross.
Tonev puts a good low cross into the Spurs box, but Weimann just can't get on the end of it. Time is running out for the home side to get themselves back into this match.
Tonev causes more trouble as he hits a low effort from the edge of the box. However, it's far too tame and Lloris gathers gladly.
SUBSTITUTION: Spurs make their final change now as Jermain Defoe is introduced at the expense of goalscorer Roberto Soldado. Not long left now.
YELLOW CARD: That's a cheap caution for Kyle Walker, who goes into the book for dissent.
Four minutes added time.
YELLOW CARD: Fabian Delph picks up a booking for hacking down Townsend on the touchline.
YELLOW CARD: Aaron Lennon now goes into the book for a foul on Weimann.
FULL TIME: ASTON VILLA 0-2 SPURS
The full-time whistle goes and Spurs have a 2-0 win over Aston Villa thanks to goals from Andros Townsend and Roberto Soldado. That result lifts Andre Villas-Boas's side up to fifth place in the Premier League table.
Anyway, that's all from me for today. Thank you very much for your company, but don't forget that we have live text coverage, reports and reaction from a variety of leagues across Europe tonight so fill your boots. Thanks again and goodnight!
Written by
Jack Prescott
Jack Prescott
