Tottenham squandered the chance to reclaim third spot as Aston Villa all but secured their Premier League safety with a vital point.

Ciaran Clark put Villa ahead with a 25-yard shot that deflected off William Gallas and flew into the top corner.

Gareth Bale was denied by an alert Shay Given save but Spurs lost Danny Rose, who was sent off for a dangerously high sliding challenge on Alan Hutton.

Emmanuel Adebayor levelled from the spot after Richard Dunne fouled Sandro.

Arsenal's surprise draw at home to Norwich on Saturday had offered Spurs the opportunity of securing third with two closing victories.

McLeish 'relief' at Villa survival

That would have meant they would not be reliant on Chelsea losing to Bayern Munich in the Champions League final for a place in European club football's elite competition next season, as the Premier League's fourth-placed team would be.

But despite having the majority of possession in the final third they could not conjure the necessary moments of inspiration and a win over Fulham at White Hart Lane next weekend will not be enough for third if Arsenal beat West Brom at The Hawthorns.

Villa set an unwanted club record with only four wins all term, and even a victory at Norwich next weekend will not prevent their lowest points tally in 20 years as members of the Premier League.

They started brightly as Spurs struggled to find their fluency and Stephen Ireland slid a perfect through ball.

Did you know?

This is the second season in succession that Spurs have had a player sent off at Aston Villa.

How Villa would have wished it had been the injured Gabriel Agbonlahor on the end of it instead of Emile Heskey, who has scored only once all season, and the veteran striker was denied by a sliding tackle from Younes Kaboul.

But a moment of fortune gave Alex McLeish's team the lead, Clark's speculative left-footed strike leaving Tottenham goalkeeper Brad Friedel flat-footed as the flight of the ball changed course.

Spurs responded immediately as Bale tested Given with a stinging left-foot drive and Rafael van der Vaart shot narrowly wide.

They began the second half positively and Adebayor was inches away from making decisive contact with Bale's left-wing cross, but they then lost Rose after former Tottenham full-back Hutton was left in agony and unable to continue.

Redknapp 'excited' by season finale

If anything the dismissal inspired the visitors to play with greater purpose and they drew level when Dunne slid in to trip Sandro as the Brazilian attempted to ghost past him, and Adebayor coolly dispatched the penalty into the corner.

Sustained pressure from the Londoners, and a total of 19 corners, could not lead to the winner and Friedel needed to come swiftly out of his area to clear the danger as Villa substitute Andreas Weimann broke through.

Villa are now safe barring an unlikely series of results going against them on the final day and a 17-goal swing in Bolton's favour. But despite avoiding the threat of relegation, the derogatory banners regarding McLeish were still evident at the final whistle as disgruntled Villa fans digested a record-equalling 17th draw in this troubled campaign.

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp:

"I felt we played well enough we got a goal back and just couldn't get the second.

"Danny [Rose] is not an overly-aggressive player, he's a good little footballer, I didn't know whether [Charles] N'Zogbia pushed him into the challenge.

"We absolutely dominated the second half, it was all one-way traffic but it just wouldn't come.

"It makes for an exciting last day of the season, it's all to play for next week, there are so many different permutations. We can't do any worse than fourth if we win, so that's what we've got to make sure we do."

Lineup, Bookings (4) & Substitutions (4)

Aston Villa

  • 01 Given
  • 02 Hutton (Collins - 53' )
  • 03 Warnock
  • 05 Dunne Booked
  • 21 Clark
  • 24 Cuellar
  • 30 Lichaj
  • 07 Ireland
  • 10 N'Zogbia
  • 31 Herd
  • 18 Heskey (Weimann - 51' )

Substitutes

  • 22 Guzan
  • 06 Collins
  • 25 Bannan
  • 38 Gardner
  • 40 Carruthers
  • 14 Delfouneso
  • 26 Weimann (Delfouneso - 70' )

Tottenham Hotspur

  • 24 Friedel
  • 04 Kaboul Booked
  • 13 Gallas
  • 28 Walker
  • 03 Bale
  • 07 Lennon
  • 11 Van der Vaart (Parker - 89' )
  • 14 Modric
  • 25 Rose Dismissed
  • 30 Sandro Booked
  • 10 Adebayor

Substitutes

  • 23 Cudicini
  • 33 Nelsen
  • 08 Parker
  • 29 Livermore
  • 15 Saha
  • 17 Giovani
  • 18 Defoe
Ref: Probert
Att: 36,008

Match Stats

Shots

4 21

On target

2 10

Corners

4 19

Fouls

10 8

Live Text Commentary

90:00 +6:19 Full time

Full Time The final whistle is blown by the referee.

90:00 +5:33

Charles N'Zogbia takes the free kick.

90:00 +5:33 Booking

Booking Raniere Sandro booked.

90:00 +5:22

Unfair challenge on Chris Herd by Raniere Sandro results in a free kick.

90:00 +4:25

Raniere Sandro takes a shot. Eric Lichaj gets a block in.

90:00 +4:05

Kyle Walker sends in a cross, clearance by Carlos Cuellar.

90:00 +3:08

Inswinging corner taken by Luka Modric from the left by-line.

90:00 +1:09

Ciaran Clark concedes a free kick for a foul on William Gallas. Luka Modric delivers the ball from the free kick right-footed from right channel, clearance by James Collins.

87:59 Substitution

Substitution Scott Parker is brought on as a substitute for Rafael Van der Vaart.

87:59

Kyle Walker crosses the ball, Emmanuel Adebayor has a headed effort at goal from close range which goes wide left of the target.

87:10

The ball is delivered by Kyle Walker, clearance made by Stephen Warnock.

86:49

Raniere Sandro fouled by Ciaran Clark, the ref awards a free kick. Free kick taken by Luka Modric.

86:27

Corner from the right by-line taken by Rafael Van der Vaart, clearance made by James Collins.

85:53

Rafael Van der Vaart takes a inswinging corner from the right by-line played to the near post, Nathan Delfouneso makes a clearance.

84:58

Luka Modric takes a short corner.

84:06

Free kick awarded for a foul by Emmanuel Adebayor on Stephen Warnock. Stephen Warnock takes the free kick.

83:47

Eric Lichaj gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Kyle Walker. Kyle Walker takes the free kick.

81:05

Shot by Gareth Bale from 6 yards. Shay Given makes a save.

79:55

Shot on goal by Rafael Van der Vaart from just inside the area goes over the target.

79:09

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Kyle Walker by Stephen Warnock. Kyle Walker takes the free kick.

78:28

Gareth Bale takes the chance to get an effort at goal and missed to the left of the net.

77:55

Raniere Sandro takes a shot. Richard Dunne gets a block in. Rafael Van der Vaart takes the outswinging corner, clearance made by Chris Herd.

77:17

Outswinging corner taken from the left by-line by Rafael Van der Vaart, clearance made by James Collins.

76:44

Foul by James Collins on Emmanuel Adebayor, free kick awarded. The free kick is delivered right-footed by Rafael Van der Vaart from right channel, Richard Dunne makes a clearance.

75:39

Corner from the right by-line taken by Charles N'Zogbia, Richard Dunne has a headed effort at goal from close range which goes wide of the left-hand post.

74:25

Free kick awarded for a foul by Charles N'Zogbia on Gareth Bale. Luka Modric takes the indirect free kick.

74:08

Carlos Cuellar crosses the ball, clearance made by Younes Kaboul.

73:07

Emmanuel Adebayor takes a shot. James Collins gets a block in.

72:25

Aaron Lennon has an effort at goal from outside the penalty area missing to the wide left of the goal.

69:06 Substitution

Substitution Nathan Delfouneso replaces Andreas Weimann.

67:21

Corner from the right by-line taken by Rafael Van der Vaart, save made by Shay Given.

63:56

Rafael Van der Vaart takes a inswinging corner from the right by-line to the near post, Stephen Warnock manages to make a clearance.

62:36

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Emmanuel Adebayor by Eric Lichaj. Free kick crossed left-footed by Rafael Van der Vaart from left wing, clearance by Eric Lichaj.

59:15

Raniere Sandro takes a shot. Blocked by Richard Dunne. Inswinging corner taken from the right by-line by Rafael Van der Vaart, Penalty awarded for an unfair challenge on Raniere Sandro by Richard Dunne.

62:18

The ball is swung over by Charles N'Zogbia, clearance by Raniere Sandro.

61:43

The assist for the goal came from Raniere Sandro.

61:43 Goal scored

Goal - Emmanuel Adebayor - A Villa 1 - 1 Tottenham Penalty taken right-footed by Emmanuel Adebayor and scored. Aston Villa 1-1 Tottenham.

59:57 Booking

Booking Richard Dunne booked for unsporting behaviour.

59:15

Raniere Sandro takes a shot. Blocked by Richard Dunne. Corner taken by Rafael Van der Vaart, Richard Dunne challenges Raniere Sandro unfairly and gives away a Penalty.

58:30

Kyle Walker crosses the ball, save made by Shay Given.

56:21

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Eric Lichaj by Kyle Walker. Free kick taken by Shay Given.

55:33

The offside flag is raised against Charles N'Zogbia. Luka Modric takes the indirect free kick.

54:42

Emmanuel Adebayor takes a shot. Shay Given makes a save.

54:15

Free kick awarded for a foul by Chris Herd on Raniere Sandro. Younes Kaboul restarts play with the free kick.

48:56 Substitution

Substitution James Collins replaces Alan Hutton.

48:56 Substitution

Substitution Emile Heskey leaves the field to be replaced by Andreas Weimann.

48:56

Carlos Cuellar takes the indirect free kick.

48:56 Dismissal

Dismissal Danny Rose shown a red card for serious foul play.

48:46

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Alan Hutton by Danny Rose.

48:06

The ball is sent over by Aaron Lennon.

47:20

Danny Rose sends in a cross, clearance made by Eric Lichaj. Corner taken by Rafael Van der Vaart from the right by-line, Carlos Cuellar manages to make a clearance.

45:28

A cross is delivered by Gareth Bale, Eric Lichaj makes a clearance.

45:01

The game restarts for the second half.

45:00 +4:33 Half time

Half Time The match has reached half-time.

45:00 +4:23

Charles N'Zogbia takes a inswinging corner from the right by-line played to the near post, clearance made by Danny Rose.

45:00 +2:10

Corner from the right by-line taken by Rafael Van der Vaart, save by Shay Given.

42:35

Rafael Van der Vaart has an effort at goal from just inside the box that misses to the left of the goal.

42:03

Gareth Bale sends in a cross, Stephen Ireland gets a block in. Short corner worked by Luka Modric.

40:26

William Gallas takes a shot. Carlos Cuellar manages to make a clearance.

39:52

Rafael Van der Vaart takes the inswinging corner, Carlos Cuellar makes a clearance.

37:07

Kyle Walker sends in a cross, Gareth Bale takes a shot. Shay Given makes a save. Rafael Van der Vaart takes the inswinging corner, clearance by Richard Dunne.

34:20

Assist by Charles N'Zogbia.

34:20 Goal scored

Goal - Ciaran Clark - A Villa 1 - 0 Tottenham Ciaran Clark scores. Aston Villa 1-0 Tottenham.

33:30

Rafael Van der Vaart produces a left-footed shot from just outside the area that goes harmlessly over the target.

32:37

The assistant referee signals for offside against Stephen Ireland. Indirect free kick taken by Brad Friedel.

32:22

Centre by Alan Hutton.

31:03

Outswinging corner taken right-footed by Rafael Van der Vaart played to the near post, save by Shay Given.

30:57

The ball is swung over by Kyle Walker, Carlos Cuellar manages to make a clearance.

30:49

The ball is sent over by Aaron Lennon, Stephen Warnock manages to make a clearance.

29:37

Free kick awarded for a foul by Danny Rose on Charles N'Zogbia. Charles N'Zogbia delivers the ball from the free kick left-footed from right wing, clearance made by Emmanuel Adebayor.

29:02

Gareth Bale has a headed effort at goal from close range which goes wide left of the target.

28:28

Emmanuel Adebayor is caught offside. Shay Given restarts play with the free kick.

27:24

William Gallas concedes a free kick for a foul on Emile Heskey. Indirect free kick taken by Stephen Warnock.

24:05

Effort from just outside the area by Kyle Walker goes over the bar.

24:04

Gareth Bale takes a shot. Blocked by Richard Dunne.

20:48

Raniere Sandro gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Emile Heskey. Stephen Warnock restarts play with the free kick.

20:17

Kyle Walker has an effort at goal from close range which goes wide right of the target.

19:23

Luka Modric takes a shot. Blocked by Richard Dunne. Corner taken short by Rafael Van der Vaart.

17:29

Inswinging corner taken by Charles N'Zogbia, save made by Brad Friedel.

16:54

Richard Dunne restarts play with the free kick.

16:54 Booking

Booking Younes Kaboul is booked.

16:41

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Emile Heskey by Younes Kaboul.

15:33

The ball is crossed by Luka Modric, clearance by Richard Dunne.

14:26

The ball is crossed by Aaron Lennon. Short corner worked by Rafael Van der Vaart.

14:16

A cross is delivered by Rafael Van der Vaart, Alan Hutton manages to make a clearance.

13:48

Rafael Van der Vaart takes the outswinging corner, clearance by Emile Heskey.

13:01

Effort on goal by Kyle Walker from long distance goes over the crossbar.

12:45

The ball is delivered by Rafael Van der Vaart, clearance made by Carlos Cuellar.

12:05

Corner taken left-footed by Gareth Bale, clearance made by Richard Dunne.

7:58

Shot from just outside the box by Alan Hutton misses to the right of the goal.

7:30

The ball is crossed by Charles N'Zogbia, clearance made by William Gallas.

5:08

Unfair challenge on Raniere Sandro by Charles N'Zogbia results in a free kick. Brad Friedel restarts play with the free kick.

4:37

Shot by Emmanuel Adebayor from deep inside the penalty area misses to the left of the goal.

1:15

Charles N'Zogbia takes a shot. Blocked by Danny Rose. Corner taken left-footed by Charles N'Zogbia from the right by-line to the near post, Danny Rose makes a clearance.

0:00

The match has kicked off.

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