Aston Villa's Nigel Reo-Coker celebrates his goal against Tottenham Hotspur during their English Premier League match at the White Hart Lane Stadium yesterday. Aston Villa won 2-1. - ap

london (ap)

Aston Villa moved into the top four with a 2-1 win at Tottenham that inflicted on the London club its worst start to an English Premier League season yesterday.

This had been the game to put Tottenham back on track after taking just one point, albeit at Chelsea, from their first three matches.

But any hopes of a UEFA Cup finish, let alone a top-four Champions League qualification, look fanciful after defeats from Middlesbrough, Sunderland and Villa to continue sitting at the bottom of the table.

Villa are fourth with seven points from four games,

Nigel Reo-Coker scored his first league goal for Villa in the 5th minute.

Gabriel Agbonlahor, released by Ashley Young, whipped in the right cross that John Carew neatly flicked across for Reo-Coker to slot home.

Heurelho Gomes' error

Ashley Young was gifted a second in the 55th thanks to an error by Heurelho Gomes reminiscent of Paul Robinson, his predecessor in the Spurs goal.

Young weaved through the midfield before unleashing a shot from 25 metres that Gomes attempted to save, but instead diverted backward over the line.

Spurs pulled one back in the 87th when Jermaine Jenas' strike was steered in by Darren Bent, but the late scramble couldn't produce an equaliser and the home side was lucky Gomes' error-strewn performance didn't produce a greater deficit.

Tottenham have struggled on attack since manager Juande Ramos' plans were plunged into turmoil when Robbie Keane and Dimitar Berbatov, last season's most prolific strike duo, said they wanted to advance their careers at Liverpool and Manchester United respectively.

Stung into action

Darren Bent laboured alone up front initially, then had Roman Pavlyuchenko for company after arriving for US$25 million two weeks ago.

They were stung into action after the early goal, but Luka Modric attempt at a swift response was blocked by American goalkeeper Brad Friedel on his 157th straight league appearance, and Pavlyuchenko's elaborate overhead kick came to nothing in the 9th.

The confident Villa unit never looked like surrendering its advantage as it dictated proceedings.

Carew's nod led to Barry's 22nd-minute strike being turned away by the stretching Gomes, and two minutes later Agbonlahor's header was denied by the 27-year-old Brazilian, who scrambled back after coming forward to punch a corner.

The pressure was unrelenting and when Gareth Bale sent a free kick into the penalty area, Pavlyuchenko headed away from goal.

Jeers echoed around White Hart Lane at half-time and there was no respite after the break.