Classy Spurs put the heat on Villa boss
Villas-Boas' side move up to fifth in Premiership, while Manchester United edge ahead of champs
Tottenham piled the pressure on Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert as the hosts swept to a stylish 2-0 win at White Hart Lane yesterday.
Andre Villas-Boas' side climbed to fifth in the table after second-half goals from Steven Caulker and Aaron Lennon gave Tottenham their fourth successive Premier League win.
At St James' Park, Manchester United cruised to a 3-0 win over Newcastle to move into second place, ahead of champions Manchester City on goal difference.
Liverpool's struggles continued when they were held to a goalless draw by Stoke City at Anfield while promoted Southampton needed a last-gasp goal from defender Jose Fonte, his second of the game, to get a 2-2 draw with Fulham.
Tottenham played some of their best football of the season and such was their dominance over Villa that French goalkeeper Hugh Lloris, finally making his league debut, had little to do.
It was another chastening experience for former Norwich boss Lambert, who has managed just one win from his first seven league matches since taking charge in pre-season, and Villa have dropped to a lowly 16th place.
Villas-Boas sprang a surprise before kick-off when he ended American goalkeeper Brad Friedel's run of 310 consecutive Premier League starts by giving Lloris his top-flight debut. Lloris, signed from Lyon for £8 million (HK$100 million) on deadline day, helped Spurs to their first Premier League clean sheet of the season.