Villa grateful for Collymore's presence

Stan Collymore finally produced the goods for Aston Villa last night as he scored twice to help Brian Little's side rout woeful Tottenham in the Premiership's relegation clash at Villa Park.

He had managed only two goals in 21 previous matches for Villa and went into the game with an assault charge hanging over his head following an alleged incident involving his former girlfriend on Christmas Eve.

There was even speculation that Little might leave out the striker. But he kept faith with his £7 million capture and was rewarded with Villa's final two goals in a resounding victory.

It prompted the Villa fans to shout: "Are you watching Andy Gray?" - a reference to the stinging attack on Collymore last week by the Sky television pundit.

Collymore's late blast took the headlines away from two-goal Villa midfielder Mark Draper - the player who had almost forgotten how to score.

Draper's goal at Barnsley in early September was his first in two seasons and he had experienced another barren spell going into the St Stephen's Day encounter, but he came up trumps against Christian Gross's side.

Villa were worthy winners as well, with Draper again showing the kind of form which earned him a call-up from England coach Glenn Hoddle early last season.

Fernando Nelson was also a constant menace with his runs and crosses from the right flank, while Savo Milosevic and Collymore were always a threat to the wobbly Tottenham rearguard.

But for Tottenham, the alarm bells are ringing - and the arrival of Juergen Klinsmann cannot come quickly enough to lift a season of despair.

The German was in Italy with his family and did not witness this latest debacle, which means Spurs have now lost eight of their last 11 League matches and conceded 14 goals in the last four.

Villa dominated the opening 45 minutes, but there was a lack of a cutting edge before Draper broke the deadlock seven minutes before the interval.

Indeed, Tottenham should have gone ahead in the 11th minute when Steffen Iversen sent a free header wide from Ruel Fox's cross when only eight yards out.

Villa's biggest early threat came from Spurs defender Gary Mabbutt, who was relieved to see his own goalkeeper, Ian Walker, turn a poorly-directed clearance around a post after he had taken the ball off the foot of Milosevic at full stretch.

Collymore then burst into life to run on to an Ian Taylor pass, but he directed his low shot across goal and wide of the far post.

However, the frustration of the Villa fans evaporated when Draper grabbed a rare headed goal.

Steve Staunton fed Milosevic and he cut inside before supplying a cross for Draper, whose header had enough power to find its way into the corner of the net despite Walker getting a hand to the ball.

Villa again called the tune territorially after the break - but in the 59th minute, Tottenham got back on level terms in controversial circumstances.

Villa 'keeper Mark Bosnich beat out a volley from Ruel Fox and when substitute Stephen Clemence turned the ball back across the box, Tottenham defender Colin Calderwood looked to deflect the ball into the net via his arm.

Villa protested in vain and they were again incensed when Spurs defender Stephen Carr seemed to handle a high ball just inside the area - only for referee Alan Wilkie to rule the offence had taken place inches outside the box.

But the anger on the terraces dissolved when Draper struck his second goal in the 68th minute.

Collymore's chip looked to be easy meat for Walker, but he collided with Iversen and Draper was on hand to drill home the loose ball from close range.

Then in the 81st minute, Collymore made the points safe for Villa when he turned home a low centre from the hard-working Simon Grayson.

A minute from time, Collymore doubled his Villa goal tally when Walker was only able to palm his 30-yard free kick into the net.

Spurs coach Gross had no complaints about the outcome and said: "We were second best in all departments and now we must try and lift things as soon as possible.

"Conceding 14 goals in four games is not very good, but we have to put things right in all departments - and as quickly as possible."

But he insisted the result was not a fair reflection on the game and said: "I don't think it was a collapse, but Aston Villa were a better team and merited this win. In my opinion it was too high a score."

Aston Villa: Bosnich, Nelson, Staunton, Wright, Ehiogu, Scimeca, Taylor, Draper, Grayson, Milosevic, Collymore. Subs Not Used: Charles, Hendrie, Collins, Byfield, Oakes. Booked: Ehiogu. Goals: Draper 38, 68, Collymore 81, 89.

Tottenham: Walker, Carr, Wilson (Allen 74), Campbell, Calderwood, Mabbutt (Anderton 74), Fox, Neilsen, Sinton (Clemence 26), Ginola, Iversen. Subs Not Used: Domingues, Baardsen. Goals: Calderwood 59.

Referee: A B Wilkie (Chester-le-Street).