Adebayor sends Spurs to third place

Published Nov. 21, 2011 12:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp enjoyed his winning return to the dugout as Aston Villa were comfortably dispatched at White Hart Lane.

Spurs triumphed 2-0, Emmanuel Adebayor scoring both goals in the first half, as they celebrated Redknapp's return to the fold following a minor heart procedure.

And the manager told Sky Sports 1: "I enjoyed the way we played tonight, I think the fans enjoyed it as well - they've seen lots of great teams over the years and they're enjoying the way this team's playing.

"It's great to be back tonight - I wouldn't want to watch it at home again, that was nerve-wracking."

While Adebayor made the decisive contributions, playmaker Luka Modric and defender Younes Kaboul's performances also caught the eye in a dominant Spurs display.

"Luka was fantastic, him and Scott Parker have been outstanding together," Redknapp continued. "I love Luka, I love the way he plays his football and he's an absolutely top-class fella.

"I thought defensively we were very strong as well, Kaboul was looking the player I thought he could be tonight."

Parker paid tribute to his returning manager, and said: "The manager has been absolutely superb, he's done wonders and it's a great lift to see him and pleasing to have him back.

"His guidance for us is key and I think that was evident tonight."

Frustrated Villa boss Alex McLeish told Sky Sports 1: "We started well, both halves, we went right at Spurs and had a couple of chances.

"But we didn't retain the ball well enough, we didn't pass it well enough and the goals we lost were calamitous - we've got to defend better than that.

"We did have one or two opportunities - Gabby (Agbonlahor) had a wee chance in the second half and Parker made a great tackle.

"But they were different class, they've got great players, their speed, their athleticism - with that 11 they can be a match for anyone."