Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill hailed his side's "fantastic desire" after they left it late to see off Tottenham at Villa Park.Jermain Defoe looked to have secured a point for the visitors when he cancelled out Olof Mellberg's opener but Martin Laursen popped up with five minutes remaining to maintain Villa's fine form over the festive period.

They have now claimed eight points from their four games and are well poised to make a push for a Champions League spot.

"I was worried before the game because Tottenham have been in fantastic form," O'Neill told Sky Sports 1.

"I was concerned about our energy because of the big efforts in games we've played recently.

"I thought our energy might drop a little but we showed fantastic desire.

"No-one epitomised that more than Laursen. He was incredible tonight."

Mellberg feels his side's form over Christmas will be crucial to how they perform in the second half of the campaign.

"It's a very important victory," he said.

"We were talking about the period at Christmas and last season we didn't do that well and we struggled after that.

"These games are massive, especially Tottenham. It's a big win and to get a win at home is important."

Tottenham assistant coach Gus Poyet said the Spurs side paid the price for defensive errors, claiming the team panic when faced with corners or free-kicks.

"We conceded two goals from set-pieces again. It is not about individuals. Week-in, week-out it is a different player so it becomes a team problem," he said.

"We didn't play well in the first half. I think we were lucky to be only 1-0 down at half-time.

"It was a great effort by the players and a great understanding of the system by the players to come back but as soon as it is a corner or a free-kick [out] wide it is panic."

Poyet also dismissed the speculation about star striker Dimitar Berbatov wanting to leave the club in the transfer window.

"He is under contract. All of you love rumours. There is nothing on the table and there is nothing happening," added the Uruguayan.

"It is not a problem for us. We are happy with Berba, he is here and it is no drama.

"We want to improve and we want to go to a better level - he has to stay."

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