Tottenham Hotspur celebrated the return of manager Harry Redknapp with a comfortable 2-0 win over Aston Villa which lifted them to third in the Premier League Monday. Emmanuel Adebayor struck twice in the first half as Spurs won for the eighth time in nine league matches to move on to 25 points, nine behind leader Manchester City and four adrift of Manchester United. Spurs climbed above Newcastle United, also on 25 points, on goal difference and have a game in hand on the teams around them. Redknapp, 64, back in the dugout after missing two games following minor heart surgery, watched his side dominate the match from start to finish. “It was great to be back tonight and I felt absolutely fine. I enjoy watching us play football and the best medicine for me is to see the way we played, we dominated the game from start to finish,” he told reporters. “We played some great stuff, had clearcut chances before the first goal went in and in the second half had more chances to kill the game off, but I always thought we were in control. “Luka Modric and Scott Parker were outstanding in midfield and Younes Kaboul is turning into the player I always thought he could be, his heading was outstanding and we looked assured at the back.” Asked if he thought Spurs had a chance of winning the title, he said he would be happy to finish in the top four and reclaim a Champions League place. “I don't know about the title, but if we can make the top four again I would be delighted, but it's going to be tight, Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool, Newcastle are all doing well and it's going to be tight.” Villa manager Alex McLeish blamed calamitous defending for the goals his side conceded. Malaga beats Santander Malaga's bid to qualify for Europe received a boost Monday when the ambitious club scored three second-half goals to win 3-1 at Racing Santander in the Spanish league. Malaga rose to fifth in the standings after the victory at El Sardinero stadium, a position that would ensure the Qatar-owned club advanced to the Europa League if maintained at season's end. Having spent €60 million ($85 million) on players in the offseason, Malaga is only three points behind Levante in the last Champions League qualifying place.
