Martin Laursen was the hero as Villa beat Spurs 2-1 in a thrilling encounter,

Martin O'Neill's men dominated proceedings in the first half and went in at the break a goal ahead, courtesy of Olof Mellberg's close-range header.

But Spurs enjoyed the better of the play in the second period and equalised through Jermain Defoe.

Villa refused to give in, however, and won the game when Martin Laursen powered home a header with five minutes remaining,

Villa came out of the blocks fast with Stiliyan Petrov putting in a great pin-point cross to Luke Moore, who turned and marginally fired wide in the fourth minute.

Gabby Agbonlahor, always full of running, then went close when his 20 yarder flew wide of Paul Robinson's right-hand post two minutes later.

Ashley Young floated a ball into the box from a left sided free-kick, after Agbonlahor had been bundled over, and Robinson was lucky to get away with a fumble as he pushed the ball into a crowd of defenders on 14.

Villa attacked with menace on 19 but Agbonlahor was crowded out in the box by both Kaboul and Dawson as he looked to fashion a chance.

Martin Laursen had a chance to score his fifth of the season on 23 as he fired high and handsome from 12 yards out after good build-up play down the right from Petrov.

The Bulgarian midfielder was the next to fire too high from 20 yards after superb pressure and intricate passing from Young, Bouma and Barry on 27.

Jermaine Jenas did well to chip a ball over the top as Aaron Lennon raced through. Luckily, Carson was there first to clear up and collect on 33.

Petrov was again in shooting mood as Barry released him on 37 but the right midfielder's shot was on target but too close to Robinson.

Young floated a high ball into the box on 38 - and unlike at Wigan - Agbonlahor couldn't direct his back header goalwards.

Mellberg made no mistake with a powerful header from close range to open the scoring and leave Robinson with no chance on 40.

Dimitar Berbatov should have equalised two minutes later but his shot from inside the box was brilliantly saved by Carson and then cleared.

Tottenham made a change at the start of the second half with Tom Huddlestone replacing Kevin-Prince Boateng.

Young tried his luck from 25 yards out on 47 but his curler sailed wide of Robinson's left hand post. Huddlestone then tried his own long range effort but it flew wide on 49.

Moore was at the heart of things on 50, as he won the corner and then from the resulting set-piece, he saw a header fly too high.

Robbie Keane replaced Lennon on 53 as Spurs looked to get back into the game. And the Republic of Ireland international nearly made an immediate impact but his shot on the turn was well cleared by Davies.

Jamie O'Hara replaced Younes Kaboul on 56 as Tottenham switched to 3-4-3, with Keane, Berbatov and Defoe as their triple threat.

Defoe tried a chip on 58 but it was just too strong to release Berbatov and Carson came and collected.

Moore had a chance to make it 2-0 on 66 but his run and shot yielded little more than a goal-kick.

Villa should have doubled their advantage as, to coin a phrase, they played 'sheer delightful football.' Moore just couldn't reach the ball at the far post after terrific build-up play involving not only Petrov and Barry but also a cheeky Mellberg back-heel on 69.

The ref turned down Tottenham appeals for a penalty on 71 as Keane tumbled in the box.

Craig Gardner replaced Moore on 73 as Villa switched to 4-5-1.

Defoe made it 1-1 on 78 as he showed great awareness in the box to slot home past Carson.

Young looked for the immediate response a minute later as he was put through by Barry but his 20 yard drive flew well wide of the Spurs keeper's left hand post.

Bouma was replaced by Villa's super sub Shaun Maloney on 83 as Villa looked for the winner. And it came almost immediately as Laursen powered home a header past the helpless Robinson.

Villa: Carson; Bouma (Maloney, 83), Mellberg, Davies, Laursen; Petrov, Barry, Reo-Coker, Young; Moore (Gardner, 73), Agbonlahor. Subs: Taylor, Harewood, Knight, Maloney, Gardner.

Tottenham: Robinson; Lee, Kaboul (O'Hara, 56), Dawson (booked), Boateng (Huddlestone, HT); Jenas, Zokora, Malbranque (booked), Lennon (Keane, 53); Defoe, Berbatov. Subs: Cerny, Keane, Taarabt, Huddlestone, O'Hara.