Late Laursen sinks Spurs

A late goal from Martin Laursen of Aston Villa - his 5th of the season - earned the Villains 3 points against Tottenham. Villa had taken the lead early on through defensive partner Mellberg, only for Jermaine Defoe to equalise in the 79th minute. Laursen wrapped up the points late on.

Martin Laursen's fifth goal of the season enabled Aston Villa to win their first home game in four outings and put them firmly in line for a place in Europe next season.

Olof Mellberg, who could be on the verge of agreeing a move to Italy later in the year, gave Villa a 41st minute lead only for Jermain Defoe to put the game back into the melting pot with his equaliser 11 minutes from time.

It was then that Laursen, who missed a glorious goalscoring opportunity in the first half, headed home skipper Gareth Barry's right-wing corner in the 85th minute to enable Villa to snatch a dramatic win.