Spurs rise again after fourth straight Premier League win (From Haringey Independent)

Goals from Steven Caulker and Aaron Lennon fire Tottenham Hotspur to victory over Aston Villa

5:30pm Sunday 7th October 2012 in Sport By Anthony Matthews, Group Sports Editor

Spurs have risen to fifth in the Premier League after goals from Steven Caulker and Aaron Lennon secured a 2-0 victory over Aston Villa at White Hart Lane.

Chasing their fourth straight league win, the hosts went close through Gareth Bale and Jermain Defoe in the opening period but the match remained scoreless at the break.

Andre Villas-Boas’ men made the breakthough in the 58th minute though, albeit in slightly fortunate fashion as a Bale corner was controlled at the back post by Defoe before his shot deflected into the net off Caulker.

It took Spurs only nine minutes to double their tally as Lennon netted his first goal for nine months, running at Joe Bennett before smashing a shot past Brad Guzan.

The Villa keeper’s opposite number, Hugo Lloris, enjoyed a relatively comfortable Premier League debut, having been selected ahead of Brad Friedel and thus ending his incredible record of 310 consecutive top-flight starts.

Bale also hit a post late on, although the end to the match was marred by a serious-looking injury to Villa full-back Bennett, who was stretchered away after crashing into the advertising hoardings following a chase to the by-line with the Welsh international.

Having used all their substitutes, this meant the visitors finished the game with ten men.