27 December,2010 08:53 AM IST | | AFP
Rafael Van der Vaart was the scourge of Aston Villa yet again as he marked his return from injury with two goals to hand 10-man Tottenham a deserved 2-1 victory yesterday.
The Dutch international, who netted both of Tottenham's goals in the October win over Villa, scored in each half as Harry Redknapp's side kicked off the busy Premier League Christmas period with a win to keep them in the hunt for a Champions League place.
Spurs' victory was especially impressive as they played for more than an hour with a man down after striker Jermain Defoe was sent-off for elbowing James Collins.
Marc Albrighton scored a late consolation for struggling Villa, who are still stranded in 15th, with eight minutes left when his teasing cross evaded everyone including Spurs 'keeper Heurelho Gomes to ensure a tense finale.
