BBC SPORT | Football | Eng Prem | Redknapp strike sinks Villa

Tottenham 1-0 Aston Villa

Jamie Redknapp marked his home debut by scoring the winning goal as Tottenham beat Aston Villa at White Hart Lane.

The result will heap more pressure on Villa boss Graham Taylor after seeing his side open the season with two defeats and without a goal.

Key moments

26 mins Redknapp scores from 20 yards

45 mins Villa throw on two strikers in the desperate hope of an equaliser

Spurs boss Glenn Hoddle may have failed in his attempt to capture the big-name striker the fans demand, but it was a midfielder who cost him nothing that earned the three points.

Redknapp fired home midway through the opening half and despite the home side coming under severe pressure, Villa were unable to take advantage of a series of chances.

Milenko Acimovic made his first start for Spurs, while Villa threw new signing Mark Kinsella straight into the side.

Redknapp is going to be one of our best signings in 10 years

Spurs manager Glenn Hoddle

Spurs had the first chance of the game after four minutes when a free-kick from the fit-again Christian Ziege found the head of Teddy Sheringham, but his effort went over the bar.

Villa came back with Lee Hendrie trying his luck with a long range shot and a volley, but both efforts were off-target.

Kinsella made a promising start to his Villa career, putting himself about in midfield.

The �750,000 capture from Charlton then took a quick free-kick that led to a good chance for England forward Darius Vassell, who shot narrowly wide.

Both sides observed a minute's silence before the game
A minute's silence was observed at White Hart Lane

Villa were beginning to get on top and Ulises de la Cruz's cross found Peter Crouch and Kasey Keller did well to tip the ball around the post.

Somewhat against the run of play Spurs went in front through Redknapp after 26 minutes.

A free-kick from Acimovic was cleared by Peter Enckelman, but only as far as Redknapp and the former Liverpool midfielder fired home from 20 yards.

Villa came back with Crouch missing a good opportunity to equalise after good work from Kinsella.

Hendrie and Ziege saw attempts late in the half fail to trouble either keeper and Spurs went into the interval one goal to the good.

Villa made the brave move of bringing on two strikers in Juan Pablo Angel and Marcus Allback for the second half, and opting to go with three up front.

Smothering save

It almost paid instant dividends as Angel fired in a shot which was charged down by Anthony Gardner.

We didn't make things happen and we're left very frustrated

Aston Villa manager Graham Taylor

Villa continued to pile forward and Allback then released Vassell.

His cross found Angel but Keller was again up to the task with a smothering save.

The American keeper proved unstoppable, denying Gareth Barry and then Vassell with smart saves as Spurs held on to leave Villa rueing their missed opportunties.

Watch a round-up of the weekend's action

Tottenham: Keller, Taricco, Ziege (Thatcher 67), Gardner, Richards, Davies, Redknapp, Acimovic, Etherington (Bunjevcevic 61), Ferdinand (Doherty 81), Sheringham.
Subs Not Used: Sullivan, Rebrov.

Booked: Ziege, Bunjevcevic.

Aston Villa: Enckelman, Delaney, Wright, Barry (Samuel 77), Mellberg, Staunton, Hendrie, Kinsella, De la Cruz (Angel 45), Vassell, Crouch (Allback 45).
Subs Not Used: Postma, Hadji.

Attendance: 35,384

Referee: C Wilkes (Gloucestershire).