IN A game that promised much but in the end produced little, Aston Villa gave plenty of evidence they are going to be in the frame when the chase for the Premier League title hots up.

They possess a gritty midfield bolstered by Steve Staunton and Ray Houghton, and two strikers of class in Dean Saunders and Dalian Atkinson

But the pair had a lean day at White Hart Lane against this much improved Spurs side which had not conceded a goal in four successive games.

Villa, who have now stretched their unbeaten run to 13 matches, were lucky to be level at the interval due in the main to a couple of wasted chances by Teddy Sheringham while Gordon Durie put another header onto the Villa crossbar.

But Villa stepped up a gear in the second-half with a display of stylish, controlled football, and Neil Ruddock and goalkeeper Erik Thorstvedt really saved Spurs from defeat.

Ruddock cleared off the line from a McGrath header while Thorstvedt made two splendid saves from Saunders and Garry Parker.

Spurs might have snatched a victory in the closing minutes but substitute Nick Barmby drove the ball wide.

A goal for Spurs then would have been rough justice on a Villa side that seems to be getting better with each match.

Villa manager Ron Atkinson was beaming afterwards.

He said: "That was a great game out there.

"People might see 0-0 and think it was a drab affair. The match swung from end to end.

"They had a fair percentage of the first-half, but in the second-half we really got our teeth into it. They had good chances so did we.

"There was some good goalkeeping, some good defending and some thrilling football. They were more frantic while we were a bit more controlled."

Tottenham coach Doug Livermore reiterated his prediction that Villa can become champions, saying:

"They are a very, very good team.

"They must have a great chance of winning the title."