Robbie Keane enabled Spurs to end their goal drought as he came off the substitute's bench to rescue a point in a 1-1 draw at Villa Park.
The Republic of Ireland international has struggled to hold down a regular spot this season with Martin Jol preferring Jermain Defoe and Mido until the Egyptian's current suspension.
But, after constant cries from the visiting fans for his introduction, Keane salvaged a share of the spoils for Spurs who were indebted to a fine display from 'keeper Paul Robinson. James Milner had given Villa a fifth minute lead.
It was their first goal in 363 minutes of Premiership football but the real hero for Tottenham was Paul Robinson with the England 'keeper pulling off a host of fine saves.
Milner struck after only five minutes minute of his home debut. Milner, who is on loan from Newcastle for the season, made no mistake with a low 25-yard angled shot which flew past the dive of Robinson into the corner of the net.
Milan Baros had set up the goal with a determined run down the left flank after Spurs midfielder Jermaine Jenas had given the ball away.
Villa dominated the early stages and could have easily scored twice more as the visitors' defence looked all at sea.
Baros failed to make a clean contact on his left-footed shot after running onto Gareth Barry's through ball and Robinson was able to smother his effort.
Then the England number one made a fine reflex save to keep out a downward volley from Patrik Berger after Steven Davis had supplied the teasing cross from the right.
Baros continued to be a threat to Spurs and King was yellow carded by referee Steve Bennett for upending the Czech.
But it needed a penalty save from Thomas Sorensen to deny Defoe an equaliser after 27 minutes. Villa defender Wilfred Bouma looked to control the ball with his arm as he challenged with Defoe for a high ball.
Spurs were forced into a change after 38 minutes with Gardner stretchered off with a leg injury after pulling up sharply and he was replaced by Noureddine Naybet.
Baros was booked for dissent after protesting too strongly over a free-kick awarded against Olof Mellberg but Villa were soon back on the offensive.
In first half injury-time Robinson saved a point-blank range header from Angel and a shot on the turn from the same player.
There was less excitement in the initial stages of the second period before the woodwork was struck twice in the space of 60 seconds.
First Liam Ridgewell met a free-kick from Berger and his left-footed volley beat Robinson and thundered back into play off the crossbar.
But Tottenham suffered the same disappointment when Defoe met a flick on from Rasiak, shrugged off Olof Mellberg's challenge and volleyed against the bar.
The game had come to life again and Angel would have been disappointed to drag his rising shot wide after Baros had found him in space on the left of the area.
Keane almost made an instant impact with Sorensen being forced to parry away a powerful volley from him.
Naybet was yellow carded for hauling down the live-wire Baros who then curled his shot wide with only Robinson to beat after being put clear by Berger.
It proved a costly miss as Keane levelled against the run of play with a clinical finish after nipping in front of Barry before drilling a shot past Sorensen.
