Villa continue barren run
Jermaine Jenas scored his first goal since October
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Sunday, 15, Mar 2009 08:43
Aston Villa's Champions League hopes have been devastated by a 2-1 loss to Tottenham Hotspur at Villa Park.
Villa slip out of the top four for the first time this year after going down to goals from Jermaine Jenas and Darren Bent, while John Carew scored a late consolation.
Martin O'Neill's men, who are without a win in their last seven games, trail Arsenal on goal difference in the battle for fourth spot.
Spurs exploded out of the blocks and took just four minutes to take the lead when Aaron Lennon's cross was palmed away by Brad Friedel, allowing Jenas to head in from close range.
Villa responded well to going behind with Stilian Petrov blazing over from the outside the box while Heurelho Gomes beat away Gareth Barry's effort.
O'Neill's side seized control of the game for the rest of the half with Ashley Young curling a shot narrowly wide, which forced Spurs boss Harry Redknapp to haul off Didier Zokora and bring on fullback Vedrun Corluka to deal with Young.
The home side continued their onslaught though with Petrov's side-footed effort saved by Gomes while Emile Heskey's header crashed against the crossbar on the stroke of half-time.
But Villa were punished again after conceding at the start of the second half when Wilson Palacios' effort was parried by Friedel, with Bent eventually turning the ball in from six yards for his 15th goal of the season.
Spurs pressed for a third goal against their depleted opponents with Lennon firing over while Robbie Keane's drive from 20 yards was well saved by Friedel.
Substitute Carew handed his side a lifeline on 85 minutes when his header from James Milner's cross flew in off the underside of the bar.
But the visitors held on in the dying minutes to thwart Vila and move six points clear of the relegation zone.