THIS time last year, Dele Alli was plying his trade as a youngster in the MK Dons midfield. Spurs swooped in January and loaned him back to the Championship side – but tonight (Monday) he showed just how Premiership ready he was.

The 19-year-old, whose stellar rise has also earned an England call up, played a leading role in a 3-1 win over struggling Aston Villa. Speaking after the game, head coach Mauricio Pochettino praised the youngsters contribution, which included a brilliantly taken goal.

'We are pleased with him,' said Pochettino.

'He is a humble boy and has improved every game.'

An excited Dele Alli celebrates scoring against struggling Aston Villa, who are bottom of the league

Pochettino added that at the start of the season, he did not expect Alli to make such an early mark.

'We take things day by day,' said the coach, whose side are now unbeaten in 10 games.

'His mentality and approach has been excellent. We believe in young players and giving them possibilities, but it is up to them. Each player is different. Some need more time. With Alli, from the first day, he started to show us he could play in the Premier League. We have given him the opportunity and he has taken it.'

It could not have started better for Spurs. After just a minute, Christian Eriksen and Danny Rose combined to send Mousa Dembele away on the left. He muscled into the Villa box and drove home from close range.

But what looked like a possible rout did not materialise. Villa settled, offering plenty of effort in front of new manager Remi Garde watching from the stands, but lacked guile. The closest they went was through Scott Sinclair, who hit a powerful drive straight at Hugo Lloris mid way through the first period.

After plenty of shadow boxing, Spurs stepped up a gear and as the half progressed, Villa looked increasingly ragged. Their second came from man of the match Alli. As the referee checked his watch with half an eye on half time, some penalty box pinball saw a clearance squirm to the edge of the box. Alli controlled it on his thigh and in one movement hit a low drive home.

In the second half, Eriksen went close with a free kick and Rose directed a header over but it felt like Spurs knew they could defend their lead without getting out of second gear.

Villa scored on 79 when a hit and hope by Jordan Ayew was deflected past Lloris. Villa sniffed an unlikely comeback – but Tottenham held firm and in added time, a well worked move down the left resulted in Erik Lamela picking Harry Kane out in space. He blasted home to seal three more points. Spurs were last beaten by Manchester United on the opening day, and now sit in fifth spot.

SPURS COMMENT by DAN CARRIER

IN one beautifully confident movement, Dele Alli controlled an awkward, spinning ball and then sent a shot through a thicket of legs into the bottom corner. The composure of the 19 year old, who is just three months into his first Premiership season, was remarkable. He has been a revelation in the centre of the pitch – and with the rise of Eric Dier in the holding role, Spurs have not missed last seasons pairing of Nabil Bentaleb and Ryan Mason.

Speaking after the game, Alli said: 'I have a lot to learn but I have people playing alongside me who are leaders and they are helping me improve.'

For Pochettino, the emergence of this level headed young man, a played who has settled so well into the Premier League, is an unexpected bonus.