This was a frustrating afternoon for Harry Redknapp as Tottenham Hotspur missed out on the chance to overhaul Arsenal against an Aston Villa side grateful for the point that all but guarantees another season in the Premier League.
Behind to Ciaran Clark's first-half goal and forced to play with 10 men for almost the entire second half after Danny Rose was sent off for a reckless lunge on Alan Hutton, Spurs equalised through Emmanuel Adebayor's penalty but were unable to force the winner that would have lifted them into third place.
Villa are only three points clear of the 18th-placed Bolton Wanderers but their vastly superior goal difference means Owen Coyle's side will not be able to catch them on the final day. If that was a cause of celebration for the Villa supporters, it took little time for their discontent to surface after the final whistle as chants of "Sack McLeish, my lord" rang out for the second home game running. This result means that Villa will finish the season with their lowest ever Premier League points total and with only four home wins.
Despite all the problems that preceded this game, Villa made an encouraging start and took the lead in the 35th minute, when Clark's 30-yard shot deflected off William Gallas's shoulder, leaving Brad Friedel stranded as the ball sailed beyond him. Gareth Bale drew a fine save from Shay Given at the near post moments later and Rafael van der Vaart drilled an 18-yard shot inches wide of the upright, but otherwise Spurs were largely disappointing in the first half.
It was difficult to see things getting much better for them in the second half, after Rose was dismissed for his dangerous challenge on Hutton, but Richard Dunne's foul on Sandro provided Adebayor with the chance to beat Given from the spot on the hour mark. The striker duly converted and there was once again an air of apprehension among the home supporters, but Spurs were unable to turn pressure into clear chances as Villa held on for the 17th draw of a thoroughly uninspiring season. Read More
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