Substitute Kirsty Hanson scored an injury-time winner to earn Aston Villa a dramatic 3-2 victory against Tottenham in the Women’s Super League.

Spurs thought they had secured a point after two goals in five minutes from Jessica Naz and Ella Morris helped them fight back from two down to level.

Indeed, the hosts looked the more likely winners at Brisbane Road, but instead it was Hanson, who scored against Liverpool last time out, that found the late breakthrough.

Villa now look certain to earn another season in the WSL after moving seven points clear of bottom side Crystal Palace, while Spurs’ winless run extended to eight games.

Lize Kop had to be alert to seize the ball ahead of Rachel Daly as Villa began on the front foot, while Lucy Staniforth spurned a great chance in the ninth minute, shooting over after Spurs gave away the ball.

Both sides struggled to create clear-cut opportunities thereafter until Villa took the lead on the half-hour mark.

Staniforth’s free-kick was headed against the bar by Daly but it provided a perfect 26th birthday present for Anna Patten, who nodded in the rebound from close range.

Tottenham tried to find a response in the remaining 15 minutes of the half but Villa’s defence stood firm, while Missy Bo Kearns shot straight at Kop at the other end.

Naz had looked the biggest danger for Spurs and she produced the first effort of note in the second half, although it was comfortably saved by D’Angelo.

And two minutes later Villa struck again, a long ball forward flicked on by Daly for the lively Ebony Salmon, who ran through the Spurs defence and guided a shot beyond Kop.

Spurs boss Robert Vilahamn brought on Bethany England, fit again after three games out through injury, and the hosts halved the deficit with 65 minutes on the clock.

Naz’s shot from the edge of the box drew a diving save from D’Angelo at her near post and, from the corner, the ball fell for the forward in the centre of the six-yard area.

Spurs’ second five minutes later was a gift from D’Angelo, who came out of her area to meet a long ball but was beaten to it by Morris, who kept her composure to slot in the equaliser.

D’Angelo was almost punished for the same mistake five minutes later but this time got away with it.

And it was Villa who found the decisive moment, Hanson showing pace and strength to hold off three Spurs defenders and fire past Kop.