Spurs hail Bale after hat-trick makes Villa wail

Jermain Defoe put Spurs in front in the 58th minute at Villa Park before Bale blew the home team away with goals in the 61st, 73rd and 84th minutes to take his tally to nine in the English Premier League this season.

Asked by reporters if there were any better players in the game than the Welsh international, Villas-Boas replied: "He is up there with the best.

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