Remi Garde was given an idea as to the scale of the task facing him at Aston Villa after witnessing his new side slump to a 3-1 Premier League defeat at Tottenham.
Garde was confirmed as Villa's new manager earlier on Monday following the departure of Tim Sherwood, who parted company with the club eight days ago after taking just four points from the opening 10 league games of the season.
Dele Alli's low finish just before half-time looked to have wrapped things up for Tottenham but a late show of spirit enabled Villa to get back into the game.
Jordan Ayew's deflected 79th-minute strike halved the deficit and gave the Midlands club hope of snatching a point, but that was snuffed out in stoppage time as Harry Kane wrapped up the victory for the home side.
Tottenham held firm to go fifth in the table, while Villa remain rooted to the bottom ahead of Garde's first match in charge at home against leaders Manchester City on Sunday.
Dembele immediately provided Garde with an indication of Villa's problems as he outmuscled Ciaran Clark after collecting the ball on the left-hand side and fired a low shot under the legs of Brad Guzan at the near post.
Danny Rose went close from the subsequent corner and Villa's cause was dealt a further blow when Ashley Westwood was forced off through injury after being caught by the elbow of Dembele.
Tottenham appeared to be cruising to victory in a largely low-key second half but, after Leandro Bacuna had struck the post, Ayew set up a nervy finish when he pounced on some poor defending from the hosts with a strike that deflected in off Jan Vertonghen.
Fellow substitute Rudy Gestede headed wide before Ayew jangled the home fans' nerves further by bending an effort narrowly over.
