Manager Martin Jol's job looked in serious jeopardy when they fell 4-1 down but three goals in the last 21 minutes may just have kept him in charge.
Certainly it could not be said he does not have the players with him.
Then with eight minutes remaining Marlon Harewood inexplicably bundled over Darren Bent and Robbie Keane netted from the spot.
The comeback was completed in injury time when Younes Kaboul produced a fine finish, lashing the ball into the top corner - but only after Huddlestone's initial shot had hit Defoe with the striker appearing to be in an offside position.
Earlier, Dimitar Berbatov had headed Spurs in front on 20 minutes but it took Villa just two minutes to level - Martin Laursen capitalizing after keeper Paul Robinson dropped the ball under no pressure.
Laursen then put his side ahead after Spurs' defence was completely caught out by a quickly-taken free kick down the left.
The ball went in slightly fortunately off the Dane but Robinson again hardly covered himself in glory, the ball going into the net through his legs.
Gabriel Agbonlahor fired home a low shot to make it 3-1 before the break and after the interval Craig Gardner drilled in a free kick with again Robinson arguably at fault.
At that stage it looked curtains for Spurs but that was just the beginning.
