Ruel Fox's goal 14 minutes from time denied Aston Villa their first point of the season last night and further compounded the growing crisis at the Premiership's bottom club. A nod-down from Les Ferdinand, already the scorer of two goals on the night, found Fox free in the area and his shot put Spurs ahead after they had been 2-1 behind.

After just six minutes Fox's smart ball forward fell perfectly into the stride of Ferdinand, who shook off Ugo Ehiogu and Gareth Southgate and from just inside the area shot past Mark Bosnich to score his second goal for Spurs since his £6 million arrival from Newcastle.

On 27 minutes Villa scored their first goal of the season. Justin Edinburgh appeared to be shepherding Mark Draper's through pass back to Ian Walker when Dwight Yorke stole in, brushed aside Colin Calderwood's challenge and slotted the ball past the bemused Tottenham goalkeeper.

Thirteen minutes after the break Villa went ahead in a game for the first time this season. Staunton's corner was nodded down by Riccado Scimeca and Collymore volleyed home from seven yards and exuberantly celebrated his first goal since his £7 million move from Liverpool.

But Spurs bounced back and Sinton forced a flying tip-over save before one of the biggest cheers of the night announced the arrival on the pitch of the substitute Gary Mabbutt, back after a year out injured.