Aston Villa midfielder Ian Taylor hit the target for the fourth successive
match to earn his side a deserved Premiership point after they had dominated for
most of the 90 minutes against Tottenham at Villa Park.
Taylor, whom Villa manager John Gregory wants to sign a new long term
contract, cancelled out Tottenham midfielder Tim Sherwood's first half effort
just when it seemed their pressure would count for nothing.
The former Sheffield Wednesday player equalised 15 minutes from time to add to
his efforts against West Ham, Sheffield Wednesday and Derby County.
Villa had the lion's share of possession particularly in the first half when
Tottenham were pinned back for lengthy spells - and took the lead through their
first effort on goal.
But a series of fine saves from Tottenham 'keeper Ian Walker and some inept
finishing kept George Graham's side in the hunt before Sherwood delivered what
looked likely to be the sucker punch.
However, Villa refused to buckle and, with Paul Merson delivering some telling
balls into the danger area and Julian Joachim working tirelessly, they built up
a momentum which seldom slackened in the final half hour.
Tottenham will point to a successful Christmas in terms of their four point
return from two matches and some stoic defensive work against Villa.
But they will have to improve on their general performance if they are to
maintain a challenge for a UEFA Cup spot despite the endeavours in midfield of
Sherwood - a target for Villa last season.
Villa made most of the early running and Joachim came close to giving them an
eighth minute lead.
Steve Watson found left wing-back Alan Wright with a fine crossfield ball and
he delivered a teasing cross into the area.
Joachim was the first to react and his powerful header was acrobatically
tipped over the bar by Walker.
The home side, bidding for a third successive win, exerted the majority of the
pressure in the first 15 minutes although their final ball into the danger area
could have been better.
But Taylor should have put John Gregory's side in front. Merson, who rejected
the chance to join Tottenham before moving to Villa last season, created the
initial opening with a curving pass off the outside of his foot into the path of
Joachim.
He cut into the area and, although Walker parried his effort, it seemed a
formality for Taylor to score from six yards out.
But he failed to make a full contact with his shot and Tottenham defender
Stephen Carr was able to get back and scramble the ball off the line.
It continued to be one-way traffic towards the Tottenham goal and Walker had
to cling onto a swerving 30-yard effort from Benito Carbone.
Tottenham had to wait until the 32nd minute to have even a sniff of a chance
when a chip from Mauricio Taricco skidded off the head of Villa skipper Gareth
Southgate to Steffen Iversen.
But, before he could get the ball under full control, Wright had nipped in to
clear and snuff out the danger.
Back came Villa and Gareth Barry sent a long range effort just over the bar -
but they were still struggling to 'hurt' Tottenham for all their territorial
dominance.
It was from a set piece that Joachim almost broke the deadlock five minutes
before the interval.
Merson floated a free-kick to the far post and Ian Taylor turned the ball back
across goal to Joachim whose powerful header produced a splendid one-handed save
from Walker low to his right.
That proved even more significant when Sherwood, on target twice against
Watford on Sunday, broke the deadlock in first half injury-time.
Chris Armstrong and David Ginola were instrumental in the build-up and then
Sherwood was allowed time to steady himself before arrowing a tremendous shot
past James via the underside of the bar.
Villa were almost caught out on the counter-attack in the 54th minute when
Gareth Barry's poor clearance was turned by Carr into the path of Iversen.
He turned sharply and fired in a low powerful effort which was beat away by
James.
The home side were still struggling to make the most of their possession and
James was again called into action on the hour mark.
Ginola supplied the kind of quality ball that Villa had struggled to find and
Iversen's header was saved by James away to his left.
It needed Villa skipper Gareth Southgate to bring the Holte End to life when
he surged forward and forced Walker to parry his low 20-yard drive at the
expense of a corner.
Gregory then brought on Darius Vassell at the expense of Carbone - and no
doubt was looking for the striker to make the same impact as on Sunday when he
set up both goals against Derby.
But it was Merson who set up the equaliser with a turn in the box and a ball
slanted into the path of Taylor who hooked his effort into the roof of the net.
Villa almost snatched victory in injury-time when Vassell broke into the area
but Walker was equal to his curling shot.
Teams:
Aston Villa: James, Ehiogu, Southgate, Barry, Watson, Taylor,
Merson, Boateng, Wright (Stone 74), Carbone (Vassell 66),Joachim.
Subs Not Used: Draper, Calderwood, Cutler.
Booked: Taylor.
Goals: Taylor 75.
Tottenham: Walker, Carr, Campbell, Perry, Taricco,
Nielsen (Young 85), Clemence, Sherwood, Ginola, Iversen,Armstrong.
Subs Not Used: Vega, Dominguez, Gower, Baardsen.
Booked: Iversen.
Goals: Sherwood 44.
Att: 39,217
Ref: G Barber (Tring, Herts).
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