Tottenham kept their hopes of securing an historic first Premier League title well and truly alive with a 2-0 win over bottom-place Aston Villa at Villa Park on Sunday.
Harry Kane found the back of the net twice for Spurs in the space of three minutes to resign the Villans to their fifth straight Premier League defeat.
Dele Alli's quick free-kick set Kane free in the penalty area, before the England international finished sharply past Brad Guzan to put Tottenham ahead on the stroke of half-time.
Alli provided the assist again as Kane doubled the visitor's lead shortly after the interval by poking home from close range.
Spurs remain five points behind league leaders Leicester City, while Villa are nine points from safety with eight matches remaining.
MATCH OVERVIEW
Aston Villa: 0
Tottenham: 2 (Harry Kane 45'/48')
Villa Park, Birmingham – 32,393
TALKING POINTS
Kane's brace took him to equal first in the race of the Premier League's Golden Boot award – a remarkable feat given his worrying goal drought to start the season. The 22-year-old almost had a hat-trick, with his clever chip hitting the woodwork in the 4th minute of the contest.
Villa's hopes of maintaining their Premier League status for next season are all but gone and they showed little cause for optimism during this fixture. The Villans managed to only keep 38% of possession and were perhaps flattered by the score line in a match that was well and truly dominated by Tottenham.
WHAT'S NEXT?
Villa visit the Liberty Stadium to take on Swansea on Saturday, while Spurs host Borussia Dortmund on Thursday in the second leg of their Europa League last-16 tie.
TWITTER INSIGHT
Great team performance today! Thanks @Dele_Alli for the assists Very solid from the whole team! #COYS#THFCpic.twitter.com/DwJLuoZxfg
— Harry Kane (@HKane) March 13, 2016
Back on track! Well done lads!!!
— Jan Vertonghen (@JanVertonghen) March 13, 2016
Muy buen trabajo muchachos, contento con la victoria / very good job boys, very happy with the win #COYSpic.twitter.com/sq1oI3al4j
— Erik Manuel Lamela (@ErikLamela) March 13, 2016
QUOTES CORNER
Aston Villa manager Remi Garde is not giving up on his side's hopes of maintaining their Premier League status:
"It is hard but then it is still mathematically possible so we need to fight. The situation is awful and it is massive challenge to win enough games to stay up. But you have to be proud and fight until the last minute.
Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino was pleased with his side's display:
"It was a good victory and three important points after a few games that have not been so good. We created more chances and played well. It is difficult to play against teams playing for survival but we had the right mentality and I am pleased.
STATS SPECIALS
*Thanks to Opta
16 - Harry Kane has scored 16 goals in his last 20 PL apps for Spurs; 2 more than Aston Villa (14) have in their last 20 PL games. Contrast.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) March 13, 2016
10 - Dele Alli has provided more assists in all competitions for Tottenham this season than any other player (10). Schemer.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) March 13, 2016
