4-1

Aston Villa produced their own carnival performance to dampen the rapturous ticker-tape White Hart Lane welcome for Tottenham’s World Cup starts Osvaldo Ardiles and Ricardo Villa last night.

The two Argentinians were received like conquering heroes but Aston Villa soon put them in the shade with their sharp and spectacular soccer.

Their first half performance was absolutely magnificent and it was deservedly crowned with a determined 35th minute goal from the impressive Allan Evans.

Dennis Mortimer took a corner on the left, Frank Carrodus had his shot charged down and from the rebound Evans drove powerfully into the net.

Ron Saunders’ men had a further reward for their fast and incisive play when John Gregory, deputising at centre forward for the injured And Gray added a second goal after 49 minutes connecting with a low eight wing cross from Mortimer at the far post.

Tottenham’s fans in the packed stadium were reduced to almost funereal silence at this stage but they erupted when Glenn Hoddle scored from the penalty spot after 60 minutes.

The penalty came when John Gidman brought down Ardiles as he for once escaped the close clutches of 19 year old Gordon Cowans, and there could be no argument about the decision.

Villa lived dangerously after his with Spurs sensing that they could come back into the game. Villa rather played into their hands, pulling the lively Gregory back into defence.

Gerry Armstrong and Ian Moores might well have scored as Villa’s midfield was temporarily surrendered. But they again came back with remarkable resilience with the darting Little making an incredible mess after 66 minutes with only goalkeeper Barry Daines to beat.

The elusive striker made amends 14 minutes later, scoring a typically cheeky goal after beating John Gorman and Hoddle after a well struck pass from defence by Gary Shelton.

Tottenham players suffered another humiliating embarrassment four minutes from time with Shelton scoring his first goal for the club from close range after a clever passing movement between Carrodus and Gidman.

And to complete the Londoner’s agony Peter Taylor was booked for fouling Cowans after losing yet another tussle with the ever improving youngster.

Dream Display

Cowans had a dream display first keeping Ardiles under tight control and then finding space to keep his forwards moving. Watching England team, Ron Greenwood, could not have failed but to have been impressed with his cultured play.

But it was Villa’s all round team work which was really the compelling factor of a thoroughly exciting and entertaining contest. Mortimer, Carrodus and Shelton in only his second First Division game, always took the eye.

The defence was solid and sound apart from a brief period after Tottenham’s penalty goal while Gregory and Little always exposed Spurs’ extremely frail defence.