Harry Kane at the double late on to help Tottenham beat Aston Villa
A late Harry Kane brace helped Tottenham beat Premier League newcomers Aston Villa 3-1 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
John McGinn handed Villa a surprise lead on their top flight return when he held off Danny Rose to convert inside 10 minutes.
Tanguy Ndombele drove home the equaliser on his official debut to delight the home fans, just as Tottenham had been building pressure late in the second half.
And talisman Harry Kane then struck twice in the final five minutes to cruelly break Villa’s resistance and steal the win for Spurs.
Tottenham defender Jan Vertonghen missed out on the opener, while deadline-day signings Giovani Lo Celso and Ryan Sessegnon were not involved.
Villa, fresh from spending more than £130million, handed debuts to four players as Tom Heaton, Bjorn Engles, Trezeguet and Wesley all got the nod.
And after Lucas Moura missed a fine chance to give the hosts the lead, it was Dean Smith’s men who went 1-0 up.
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Tyrone Mings' long ball up field found McGinn, who fired low past Hugo Lloris.
In response, Kane appealed for a penalty to no avail before new Villa signing Trezeguet wasted a good opportunity.
Kane then fired over, before being deemed offside when through on goal - a chance he missed regardless.
Moussa Sissoko dragged an effort wide early in the second half, having been picked out unmarked at the far post, before Kane had his drive blocked as Tottenham gained momentum from nowhere.
Christian Eriksen was next to try his luck after a fine set up by Kane on 68 minutes, only to scuff his shot from the edge of the box wide.
But finally, the breakthrough came.
Heaton had to be at his best to keep out Davinson Sanchez from close range, but the ball fell to Ndombele - who slammed home a curling effort from 20 yards.
Spurs, who now had the goal to match their domination, were rampant and it took every inch of Heaton once more to deny them the lead on 78 minutes when he kept out Eriksen’s ferocious free kick.
Sanchez’s failed, audacious overhead kick looked to take the ball away from a lurking Moura, before Toby Alderweireld’s strike deflected towards Heaton.
And with time running out, Lamela poached the ball off visiting captain Jack Grealish, whose shot deflected to Kane - who slammed it home from close range.
Anwar El Ghazi then blasted over from 30 yards as the visitors desperately sought a point.
But Kane was determined to ensure it was Tottenham’s day - and he slotted home with chilling precision to seal the three points for Mauricio Pochettino’s men.
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