*Revitalised Redknapp is quick to earn his Spurs*

Glenn Hoddle lavished so much praise on Jamie Redknapp that it seemed as if Tottenham had finally found the missing link. This will surprise Spurs fans, who can be forgiven for thinking that the real prize has yet to arrive in the shape of any of the exotic strikers dangled tantalising before them all summer.

Redknapp had every reason, after his cruel injury history, to be delighted with his new start. Yet even he appeared surprised, despite his match-winner, at all the fuss, partly flowing from Hoddle’s pre-match comparisons of his new free-transfer midfielder with England’s icon. “The new Beckham?” asked Redknapp, “I’m older than him, aren’t I?”

Indeed he is, by two years, but there was no mockery in his voice. Now 29, the days of being heralded as England’s great midfield hope, and his 17 caps, must seem from a different life. It did not prevent Hoddle saying: “There is no reason why he can’t force himself back into the England scene.”

Redknapp himself, by virtue of natural modesty - and caution after his serious injuries - would not be drawn. He even insisted that he did not feel the slightest trace of bitterness as he watched England in the World Cup this summer. “Not at all,” he said. “I’m just dedicated myself to playing for Tottenham. When you’re out of the game so long, all you do is dream about playing football again.

“I feel very fortunate at the way things are going at the moment.” He suggested that Liverpool’s offer of another year’s contract was “out of loyalty” rather than any pointer to regular first-team football at Anfield. But he added: “I couldn’t be happier; I’ve got no regrets all.”

Hoddle believes that not only Tottenham will benefit from Redknapp. “Its great not just for us, but for football, because he’s a lovely player. He passes well and scores spectacular goals.” Indeed the midfielder’s style, composed and almost aloof, carries echoes of his current manager.

For Villa, Matt Holland has been presented as the missing link. But here Taylor missed the Ipswich captain’s midfield strength less than the elusive ingredient of finishing power. Villa’s manager deployed three strikers for the second half, with Darius Vassell causing mayhem down the right flank as Tottenham were overrun for long periods. But still Villa could not find their first goal of the season, Kasey Keller shutting the door with outstanding saves from Peter Crouch, Gareth Barry and Juan Pablo Angel.

The Spurs old firm of Teddy Sheringham and Les Ferdinand, both largely inconspicuous, fared no better. Redknapp took it on himself to strike, with a clever volley past the dazed Peter Enckelman. It was typical of Villa’s grim fortune that the goalkeeper was struck on the head by one of his team-mates, Alan Wright, in the build-up.

Hoddle insists that Tottenham have still got “quite a few options” in their striker pursuit before the transfer window closes on Saturday.

Taylor’s recruitment drive may suffer from lack of morale rather than money, even if that did not stop the £1m debutant Mark Kinsella rapidly answering Villa’s call.

Like Kinsella, Olof Mellberg does not feel “there’s any crisis in the dressing-room”. But Villa’s Sweden defender said: “There are a couple of players who are dissatisfied and that makes headlines.”