Villa down sorry Spurs

Despite handing debuts to Roman Pavlyuchenko and Vedran Corluka, Juande Ramos's side were undone by strikes from Nigel Reo-Coker and Ashley Young, with the latter's effort coming courtesy of an awful mistake by Spurs goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes.

Darren Bent scored a fluky consolation for Spurs three minutes from time but Villa comfortably saw out the final few moments, unlike in last season's corresponding fixture when the Birmingham side let a 4-1 lead slip into a 4-4 draw.

With the victory Aston Villa move up to fourth in table but it was not all good news for Martin O'Neill as key striker John Carew was forced off in the second half with what looked like a hamstring injury.

There was also some injury woe for Spurs with Luka Modric and Didier Zokora both exiting the game with knocks.

Tottenham now have just one point from their opening four matches, making it their worst start to a season in 34 years.

Villa scored with their opening attack of the game after just five minutes when Gabriel Agbonlahor was found in acres of space down the left wing by Young.

He put in a low cross that the Spurs defenders just watched and Carew was able to flick the ball into the path of Reo-Coker who side-footed home for his first goal in a Villa shirt.

Villa continued to dominate as Spurs struggled to get a grip in midfield, and acrobatic saves from Gomes were needed to deny Gareth Barry and Agbonlahor.

However, while Gomes's first-half shot-stopping was impressive, his flapping at crosses was often what got him into trouble in the first place, and he was almost caught out at the near post when a mis-hit Reo-Coker cross came back off the upright.

Spurs lost their £16.5 million summer signing Modric to injury on the half hour, but in truth, the Croat was anonymous long before that and Tottenham seemed to enjoy more possession when he was off.

However, their first-half chances were limited to blocked shots, crosses, and efforts from distance as Villa continued to cruise.

With Zokora also struggling for Tottenham, David Bentley was brought on for Spurs at half-time but Pavlyuchenko and strike partner Bent continued to struggle up front as Brad Friedel enjoyed a comfortable night in the Villa goal.

Villa doubled their advantage in the 54th minute when Young was given too much space by Michael Dawson to line up a low drive from outside the box.

While his shot was decent, Gomes seemed to be watching it all the way; but he then inexplicably allowed the ball to slip under his body.

Spurs huffed and puffed for a way back into the game but despite the best efforts of Bentley and the lively Aaron Lennon they continued to struggle.

Bent headed a great chance wide from a Bale cross and Villa looked set for a clean sheet until Bent's knee deflected a wild Jermaine Jenas effort into the net three minutes before the end.

That gave the Spurs fans some hope, but Villa remained the more dangerous side and substitute Marlon Harewood should have scored in stoppage time when his effort hit a diving Jenas with the goal gaping.

Martin O'Neill will be hoping for better from Harewood in forthcoming weeks as he is likely to need the big striker after Carew went down unchallenged just after the hour mark.

Spurs, on the other hand, have much bigger problems to worry about as they remain the only Premier League club without a win this season.