David Platt playing only his second game since a six-week injury lay-off, rattled up a hat-trick in 46 minutes and tore sorry Spurs apart for nearly an hour.

But Tottenham, without Paul Gascoigne, Paul Walsh and Nayim, had Villa fans shrieking for the final whistle after an astonishing comeback which yielded goals for Vinny Samways and Paul Allen.

It looked like a one-man super show from Platt as he clipped home a pair of delightful crosses from Gordon Cowans in the 12th and 35th minute and forced Erik Thorstvedt into a superb save before adding third goal in the opening minute of the second half.

New £1 million striker Gary Penrice wasted a great chance to make it 4-0 from Platt's pass and Republic striker Tony Cascarino went close on three other occasions including a shot that Thorstvedt pushed against a post.

But the substitution of England centre-forward Gary Lmeker in the 59th minute sparked an unlikely Spurs revival.

Samways tapped in a low cross from substitute Phil Gray within two minutes and Mitchell Thomas squandered an easy chance before Allen's deflected shot brought Spurs' second goal seven minutes from the end.

Villa, having dominated for most of the match. played out a jittery finish with all the nervousness of a side which has slipped into relegation trouble with just one win in their previous nine matches.