Harry Kane scored his 21st and 22nd goals of the season to inspire Tottenham Hotspur to a routine win at hapless Aston Villa that boosted their Premier League title ambitions.
The Tottenham striker Harry Kane. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The England striker ended Villa's resistance just before half-time with his 17th goal in his last 20 league appearances and then struck again just after the break, assisted on each occasion by a superb delivery from Dele Alli.
The victory for Spurs consigned bottom-placed Villa to a 20th league defeat of the season while Mauricio Pochettino's side moved two points adrift of leaders Leicester City at the top of the table.
Second-placed Spurs also extended their lead over their north London rivals Arsenal, in third place, to six points.
Leicester have the chance to restore their five-point lead when they host struggling Newcastle United tomorrow.
For Villa, though, relegation looks a certainty as they lie eight points adrift of 19th-placed Newcastle at the foot of the table.
-Reuters
