*Tottenham beat Manchester United to a place in next season’s Europa League after an easy win over Aston Villa.*

Paulinho cut through the heart of the Villa defence to shoot past Brad Guzan to put Spurs in early control.

Nathan Baker headed Danny Rose’s cross past his own goalkeeper before Emmanuel Adebayor scored from the spot.

Spurs finished the season in sixth place, three points shy of their total last term, in what could be boss Tim Sherwood’s last game in charge.

Despite finishing five points clear of Manchester United, uncertainty surrounds Sherwood’s future as the club has been linked with several replacements for next season.

That search comes after Spurs failed to make the Champions League following huge investment last summer and a season where Sherwood appeared to occasionally fall out with his players.

Sherwood has likened his status to that of a “supply teacher”, enhanced by claims from midfielder Sandro this week that his manager would depart in the summer.

Yet with the Brazilian player in the starting line-up, Spurs did not look like a side with a lack of respect for their manager, as Sherwood had stated, and the game was as good as over by half-time with all the goals coming before the break.

The result did little to enhance the prospects of Villa manager Paul Lambert, who also faces uncertainty after another inconsistent season where his side finished 15th, five points above the drop zone.

Villa only secured their Premier League status with two games left and with American owner Randy Lerner set to make an announcement about his role in the club, both clubs could be set for a summer of upheaval.

It took 20 minutes before Villa threatened the hosts’ goal and by that stage they could have been three goals behind.

Harry Kane had twice gone close before Paulinho opened the scoring after 14 minutes. The Brazilian, who unlike compatriot Sandro has been selected in his national team’s World Cup squad, strode through the Villa defence and collected Gylfi Sigursson’s pass before beating Guzan at a second attempt.

Shorn of the injured Christian Benteke, Villa lacked any purpose going forward and they went further behind when Baker headed into his own net.

It got worse before the interval. After a corner was cleared, Sandro’s shot caught Gabriel Agbonlahor’s arm and referee Jonathan Moss had no hesitation in pointing to the spot.

Adebayor dispatched his kick from 12 yards for his 14th goal of the season.

The second half was a damp squib in comparison but in a rare moment of action Fabian Delph fired wide after 57 minutes following Villa’s best move of the match.

Sherwood and Sandro exchanged a friendly hug after the midfielder was substituted and there was a scare for American goalkeeper Guzan after a collision with Kane.

Whether Sherwood will be smiling when his future is discussed with chairman Daniel Levy remains to be seen.

*Tottenham head coach Tim Sherwood:*

“If it is to be my last game, life goes on. There were no tears shed out there on the lap of honour.

“This club means a lot to me but if I’m not to continue here as manager I’ll be somewhere else.

“I’ve got a 59 per cent win ratio in the Premier League and I think if I had started the season in charge we’d be in the Champions League,”