Spurs problems deepened further on Monday as they were beaten 2-1 by Aston Villa to leave them bottom of the Premiership with just a point after four matches. Goals by Nigel Reo-Coker - his first for the club in the Premiership and first in almost two years since scoring for West Ham against Manchester United - and Ashley Young were enough to see Aston Villa climb to fourth in the table as it recorded its first win at White Hart Lane in nine visits. Darren Bent grabbed a consolation goal four minutes before the end. Villa snatched an early lead as Reo-Coker shot home after fine work by Gabriel Agbonlahor who turned Spurs Croatian debutant fullback Vedran Corluka inside out. His pass into the box was stepped over by John Carew and Reo-Coker who had escaped from his marker Gareth Bale had no problem putting the ball beyond Spurs keeper Gomes. Spurs almost got back on level terms immediately as Luka Modric went on a mazy run but his shot was saved by Brad Friedel. However, the hosts were fortunate not to go 2-0 down after 20 minutes as Reo-Coker whipped in a cross and Gareth Barry beat both Spurs central defenders to the ball, only for Gomes to claw it away just off the line. The Brazilian was at it again a couple of minutes later when he turned away Agbonlahor's nearpost header after his punch from a corner had been returned into the box by Nicky Shorey. Spurs settled down as the half progressed and Friedel was forced into a save with 10 minutes remaining of the period as Tom Huddlestone fired one in from outside the box. Spurs manager Juande Ramos added a bit more attacking flair in the second-half by bringing on David Bentley for defensive midfielder Didier Zokora to try and spark some life into the hosts. Friedel was brought into action two minutes into the second-half as he saved from a Darren Bent header, after good work down the left flank by Aaron Lennon. The American goalkeeper had to produce another fine save shortly afterwards as Lennon let fly from the right, Friedel tipping the ball over the bar. However, Spurs bright start to the half came to nothing as Young scored with a long range effort in the 54th minute. Spurs were given some hope when Bent struck from inside the box after being set up by Jermaine Jenas. However, it was Villa who came closest to adding to the score when substitute Marlon Harewood had a shot cleared off the line by Bale. Hasselbaink retires Former Netherlands striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink announced his retirement on Monday. Hasselbaink's agent, Humphrey Nijman, said the 36-year-old player considered several offers after Cardiff City didn't renew his contract. “He had offers to play in the Middle East, which he didn't want to do,” Nijman says. “It's his ambition to become a coach.” Hasselbaink scored nine goals in 23 matches for the Dutch national team between 1997 and 2002. He never played in the top Dutch league, rising to prominence for Boavista in Portugal after scoring 20 goals in 29 games to help it win the league in 1997. Hasselbaink was the top scorer in the English Premier League in 1999, with 18 goals for Leeds, and again in 2001 when he collected 23 for Chelsea.
