MX23RW : Sunday, November 24 13:16:21| >> :120:9285:9285:
[monks data]
Aston Villa logo
Premier League
Mar 13, 2016 at 4pm UK
 
Spurs logo

0-2

FT(HT: 0-1)
Kane (45', 48')

Harry Kane double helps Tottenham Hotspur close gap on Premier League summit

An in-form Harry Kane scores in either half to propel Tottenham Hotspur to a 2-0 win over Aston Villa at Villa Park.

Two Harry Kane goals in the space of three minutes either side of half time helped Tottenham Hotspur to a routine 2-0 win over basement boys Aston Villa this afternoon.

Spurs were denied by a string of Brad Guzan saves prior to making the eventual breakthrough, but once ahead they remained in control and saw the job through with ease.

A first win in four for the Lilywhites sees the gap on Premier League leaders Leicester City close to just two points, ahead of the Foxes' meeting with Newcastle United on Monday evening.

Harry Kane celebrates scoring during the Premier League game between Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur on March 13, 2016© Getty Images

An opening 45 minutes dominated by the visitors got underway with Kane clipping the crossbar less than four minutes in, after getting on the end of Erik Lamela's through-ball but failing to get the better of Guzan.

That battle would continue throughout the contest, as Kane was thwarted by his direct rival once more soon after when this time latching on to Danny Rose's cross from the left.

Dele Alli, one of seven players to return to the Spurs starting lineup this afternoon, also tested Guzan with a somewhat weaker attempt from range as the one-way feel to the game continued.

An inspired Guzan was very much proving the difference, denying Kane yet again from close range just short of the half-hour mark, before getting a touch on Lamela's close-range drive to help the ball onto the upright for a second time.

Villa's goal was living a charmed life of sorts up until this point yet, while Spurs had solely enjoyed all of the half's big chances, the Villans finally got a shot away of their own when Rudy Gestede picked out Hugo Lloris with his side-footed finish.

Just when the first half looked to be drawing to a goalless end, Kane finally got the better of Guzan when tucking the ball home with a smart finish after Alli's quick thinking from a free kick.

Harry Kane celebrates scoring the second with Erik Lamela and Dele Alli during the Premier League game between Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur on March 13, 2016© AFP

Kane's 18th league goal of another personal season to remember finally gave the Lilywhites a lead to build on, and the Englishman was able to increase his tally just three minutes after restart.

The goal followed a similar route to the first as Alli's pass, this time from a left-sided cross, found its way to Kane who quickly adjusted his body shape to fire into the roof of the net.

It could have been three ten minutes later when Walker capitalised on the acres of space afforded to him by getting in a shot of his own, which Guzan was happy to turn behind at the expense of a corner.

With Villa heading for a fifth defeat on the bounce, and an inevitable relegation into the second tier, Remi Garde perhaps began turning attention towards next season by bringing on academy product Andre Green for his league debut.

Kane's second goal, which took him alongside Jamie Vardy in the Premier League scoring charts, essentially ended the match as a contest with Spurs unable to create any further clear-cut openings.

Lamela saw his shot deflect wide when getting on the end of a stray ball just inside the box, while those remaining Villa fans almost had something to cheer late on when Jordan Ayew hit the post at the end of a slaloming move through the area.

Gestede should have fired home from the rebound, only for his shot from a few yards out to cannon back off the crossbar to round off another disappointing afternoon for the hosts.

Villa, with just one win in nine against their opponents now, remain nine points from safety with time fast ticking down to reduce the deficit at the bottom.

ID:268452: cacheID:268452:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:6789:No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Remi Garde wonders WHY during the Premier League game between Aston Villa and Everton on March 1, 2016
Read Next:
Garde: 'Villa can still remain in Premier League'
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
6pm
Vikings
@
Bears
6pm
Lions
@
Colts
6pm
Patriots
@
Dolphins
6pm
Buccaneers
@
Giants
6pm
Chiefs
@
Panthers
6pm
Titans
@
Texans
6pm
Cowboys
@
Washington
9.05pm
Broncos
@
Raiders
9.25pm
49ers
@
Packers
9.25pm
Cardinals
@
Seahawks
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool119112161528
2Manchester CityMan City127232217523
3Chelsea126422314922
4Arsenal126422112922
5Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton126422116522
6Tottenham HotspurSpurs1261527131419
7Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest125431513219
8Aston Villa125431919019
9Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115331311218
10Fulham125341717018
11Brentford125252222017
12Manchester UnitedMan Utd114341212015
13Bournemouth124351617-115
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham113351319-612
15Everton122551017-711
16Leicester CityLeicester122461523-810
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves122372028-89
18Crystal Palace121561017-78
19Ipswich TownIpswich111551222-108
20Southampton11119721-144


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!