Record signing Juan Pablo Angel scored an injury-time penalty to salvage a deserved point for Aston Villa.

Evergreen striker Les Ferdinand looked to have earned Tottenham their first win of the festive season with his 11th goal of the campaign.

But then Darren Anderton handled a deep cross from Steve Stone - and up stepped Angel to drill the spot-kick past Kasey Keller.

Villa enjoyed more than a fair share of possession with skipper Paul Merson providing most of the spark in the centre of the park and Darius Vassell's pace was always a threat up front to Tottenham.

Steve Staunton, who has indicated his desire to end his career with Villa, also had an inspired game for the home side who dominated the second period.

It looked as if once again Villa would have nothing to show for their efforts after a miserable run of six points from the previous 10 matches since going top of the Premiership in late October.

But now Gregory will be hoping this late point-saver from Angel will launch a transformation in fortunes.

Villa had struggled to find a way through a Spurs defence which was superbly marshalled by Dean Richards who is proving a formidable replacement for Sol Campbell.

Keller also distinguished himself in goal in his first Premiership start for the visitors in place of the axed Neil Sullivan.

Tottenham were at their most potent in the first half with Anderton the lynchpin in the centre of the park and Christian Ziege finding acres of space on the left flank.

Ferdinand is looking like a striker reborn after putting behind him the injuries which have dogged him in recent years and he and Teddy Sheringham again worked well together.

Vassell had the first clear-cut opportunity when he cut past Chris Perry after collecting a deep pass from Steve Staunton but, with only Keller in front of him, he dragged his shot wide.

Vassell was causing the visitors problems with his pace and it needed a superb tackle from Dean Richards to deny him on one occasion after he had burst clear and into the penalty area. Keller then saved a low effort from Angel but Tottenham came close to taking the lead after 26 minutes.

Villa only half cleared a long throw from Steffen Freund and the ball was headed by Ferdinand past Peter Schmeichel but it hit the post and rebounded into his hands.

Paul Merson almost carved out a goal from nothing after a mazy run took him past three challenges but Keller saved his eventual shot away to his right and reacted quickly to block the rebound effort from Hassan Kachloul.

Then seven minutes before the interval that man Ferdinand put Tottenham in front.

Sheringham allowed a long pass from Ziege to run on into the path of Ferdinand who found himself with a clear run at goal.

Schmeichel managed to half block his shot but it still contained enough power to cross the line.

Richards was yellow-carded for bringing down Kachloul and from the resulting free-kick Villa almost drew level after 52 minutes.

Staunton's cross found its way to Lee Hendrie on the edge of the penalty area and his low drive was turned around the post by Keller.

Keller then made another good save to keep out a Staunton header and his efforts looked to have won three points for his side before Angel drove the penalty past him.

Teams

Aston Villa: Schmeichel, Samuel, Mellberg, Staunton, Wright (Stone 72), Merson, Hendrie, Boateng (Taylor 89), Kachloul, Vassell, Angel.

Subs Not Used: Dublin, Enckelman, Barry.

Goals: Angel 90 pen.

Tottenham: Keller, Perry, King, Richards, Ziege (Gardner 84), Taricco, Anderton, Freund, Poyet, Ferdinand (Rebrov 82), Sheringham.

Subs Not Used: Sullivan, Sherwood, Davies.

Booked: Richards, Ziege, Ferdinand.

Goals: Ferdinand 38.

Att: 41,134

Ref: E Wolstenholme (Blackburn).