*Spurs stun Villa*

Spurs scored two goals in three minutes as David Pleat’s side came from behind to beat Aston Villa.

Marcus Allback scored his first league goal of the season to give Villa the lead only to then concede possession to set up Spurs’ equaliser.

Under no pressure Allback’s sloppy pass allowed Spurs to break forward and when the ball reached substitute Rohan Ricketts, the former Arsenal midfielder found the net with a shot through a posse of players.

On 81 minutes Robbie Keane jinked his way past Ronnie Johnsen and fired his shot past Thomas Sorensen.

The early stages of the game - dull and uninspiring - gave no clue to that exciting climax.

Stephane Dalmat shone in midfield for Spurs as did Keane in attack, but the rest of Spurs team struggled to replicate that duo’s invention, notably Helder Postiga, who has still yet to score a goal since arriving at White Hart Lane in the summer.

Keane’s innovative forward play created Spurs’ first chance, the Republic of Ireland international’s clever flick sending Postiga clear, only for the Portuguese striker to hesitate, allowing Jlloyd Samuel to snuff out the danger.

Soon afterwards Olof Mellberg’s poor clearance presented Spurs with another chance, though Paul Konchesky wasted the opportunity, delivering a poor cross.

Konchesky improved his delivery when he next roamed down the left, but Darren Anderton sent his header over the bar.

Having weathered the storm, Villa began to probe forward and Thomas Hitzlsperger sent a low shot narrowly wide.

Spurs regrouped and Mellberg slid in to block a Postiga effort, while Sorensen pushed away Mauricio Taricco’s curling shot.

Darius Vassell was finding things equally tough in the Villa attack.

Like Postiga without a league goal this season, Vassell spurned a glorious opportunity when he turned his shot round the corner from Mark Delaney’s pass.

Allback was to show a more ruthless streak when he drifted away from his marker to guide Peter Whittingham’s clever pass past Keller.

But Allback turned from hero to villain as he played his part in Spurs’ equaliser and then Keane’s opportunism conjured up an important win for Pleat, who had seen his side lose their previous two league games.