Conor Gallagher opened the scoring with a well-placed shot from the edge of the area after 12 minutes.

Richarlison then sealed the win with his header with 25 minutes on the clock.

The result, coupled with West Ham's defeat to Brentford on Saturday, lifted Roberto de Zerbi's team out of the relegation places - one point above the Hammers into 17th place with 37 points, with three matches remaining.

Unai Emery's Champions League-chasing team ended the evening in fifth place with 58 points, sixth clear of Bournemouth in sixth and level with fourth-placed Liverpool.

While Spurs made four changes from their 1-0 win over Wolves, Villa made a mammoth seven changes from the side that lost 1-0 to Nottingham Forest in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final, with the second leg to come on Thursday; captain John McGinn being a notable absentee.

Spurs started on the front foot with a scuffed effort on the turn from Brazilian striker Richarlison inside the area in the opening seconds of the game.

Richarlison was in the action again moments later as Spurs looked to get forward quickly, but this time he was bundled off a pass from Mathys Tel.

The away team were enjoying some good early possession and won a throw high up the pitch after 10 minutes. The delivery was only half cleared - and when it dropped at Conor Callagher, the midfielder took an excellent touch before arrowing the ball past Emiliano Martinez in the Villa goal.

Spurs quickly pressed forward again and Palhinha smashed a shot against an upright, although the flag was subsequently raised for offsides.

Only a strong one-handed save from Martinez stopped Spurs from going two goals up on 24 minutes after a good Tel ball was met by Kolo Muani at the back post.

But the keeper could do nothing to keep out a powerful Richarlison header, from another excellent Tel delivery, this time from the right-hand side, to put the relegation-threatened team into a commanding lead.

Muani should have done better with a shot he blasted over from the edge of the area, while Tel fired over from inside the box after a headed lay-off from Destiny Udogie with Gallagher in a brilliant position, for the last real chance of a first half controlled by Spurs.

There were no changes by Emery at half-time but no immediate improvement either, until a half-chance for Abraham after a sloppy ball out of defence from the visitors, but Micky Van de Ven recovered with a perfectly timed sliding tackle.

Pedro Porro was well wide with his 55th minute strike after being allowed to carry the ball toward the Villa goal,

Ollie Watkins was introduced off the bench for Villa to lift the team on the hour mark, but it was Spurs players who were applauding every kick and every tackle as the home still struggled to impose themselves.

A knackered Rodrigo Bentancur was replaced by Yves Bissouma, as Muani made way for Djed Spence before a lull in the game with no goal-mouth action for a full ten minutes.

Watkins then had a shot blocked before some good link-up play between Jadon Sancho and Youri Tielemans, who so nearly combined to feed Watkins at the back post.

Kevin Danso headed an 84th minute Porro corner into the hands of Martinez, while a final throw of the dice for Emery was to throw on Emi Buendia and Leon Bailey on for Ross Barkley and Sancho.

Bailey won a late corner and whipped his ball on to the penalty spot where Tyrone Mings rose highest but headed over the target.

Spurs chose to further wind down the clock with the introduction of Pape Matar Sarr for Richarlison, as Lucas Bergvall took over from Tel.

Villa had the final say with a headed goal in extra-time from substitute Buendia from a curling cross by Matty Cash, but Spurs were well deserved of all three points to take them out of the relegation zone.

Next up for De Zerbi's team is a home clash with Leeds United on Monday. They still have Chelsea to face on Tuesday, 19 May before completing their campaign at home to Everton.

Villa play Burnley, Liverpool and Manchester City in their final three league fixtures.

Nedbank Cup Preview: Orlando Pirates ready to lock horns with Sekhukhune United