Spurs fire three past Aston Villa as new gaffer Garde looks on

Harry Kane was next to test for Tottenham, with the England attacker also finding joy down that same left flank as Dembele, cutting in and also getting the better of Clark, though Guzan this time terrifically tipped his deflected shot over the bar. The subsequent corner routine was finished by Danny Rose, in his 100th appearance for Spurs, and also dipped over, but it was a warning shot for the visitors.

Alli hints at excellence in front of Hodgson

It was intriguing prospect Dele Alli who made it 2-0 to Tottenham, just before the break, after meeting compatriot Rose’s pinpoint cross. The youngster showed impressive composure to coolly bring the ball down with his knee, before dispatching a deadly volley. Could this be a future Three Lions link-up?

Midlands visitors Villa did suffer the loss of midfield conductor Ashely Westwood, injured after an accidental clash with Dembele, with Jordan Ayew his replacement and Rudy Gestede brought on for the second-half as the Villans sought a goal hero.

Still, Spurs continued to feed on the best scraps from a generally gritty game, with Christian Eriksen notably and narrowly sending a trademark curling, swerving set-piece just wide of the net.

Who Ayew?

Suddenly Spurs looked shaken and Villa vivacious, as Ayew, seemingly on a mission to impress, hit his venomous strike a smidgen too high, but will have surely given Garde food for thought.

It all came too little to late for this tussle, however, as revived hitman Harry Kane added a third in stoppage time, clocking-up his second strike in as many Premier League matches and sending Spurs into fifth spot.

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