Video: New Villa boss sees same old failings

The claret and blues went down 3-1 as defensive frailties handed Spurs the three points.

A late Villa rally was snuffed out by Harry Kane in added time, but Garde will have been left in little doubt as to the magnitude of his task if he is to keep the club in the Premier League.

A mistake by defender Ciaran Clark handed Moussa Dembele the first goal after just two minutes and Villa were chasing the game from then on.

Clark was only recalled to the Villa starting line-up after captain Micah Richards was subjected to a late one-match ban after his tunnel bust up with Swansea's Federico Fernandez.

Former Albion defender Joleon Lescott was also culpable for not closing down the threat. The second goal also saw Villa's defence stand off, as Dele Alli fired in Spurs' second just before the break.

After substitute Jordan Ayew provided a second-half lifeline, Villa's defence was again wide open to allow Kane to seal the win as the away side went in search of a late equaliser.

Caretaker manager Kevin McDonald bemoaned his side's performance, saying: "We actually came with a game plan and that went out of the window after two minutes, conceding the first goal.

"We frustrated them and made a couple of little half-chances without really taking care of the ball and getting into their box. They, obviously, scored again at the end of the half to make it 2-0.

"At the start of the second-half, we started to make a few more chances and had a few more shots.

"We were just fighting, fighting, fighting but if you give Tottenham half a chance on the break and they've got some very good players and they, obviously, scored the third."

McDonald will tell the new boss 'he has got something to work with,' adding: "They have a great desire.

"They need to take care of the ball. I'm sure, with his knowledge of playing at Arsenal and at Lyon, he will reiterate that."