Spurs kept up their challenge for a Champions League place finish with a hard fought 2-1 win at the Britannia Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
"It was a tough game and there was nothing in it in the first half," the Tottenham boss told the club's official website after the game.
"I just felt we had to keep the ball a bit better because when we got the ball down and played we looked dangerous.
"I said to the lads at half-time that we just had to be braver and try to keep the ball because we looked like we could open them up and when we gave it away, we put ourselves under pressure.
"Someone said to me Villa 'only' got a point here last week, but any point here is a good point.
"It's such a difficult game and difficult place to play. They make it hard for you and never give up. You have to compete otherwise you'll get turned over.
"You have to defend well, particularly the set-pieces and Peter Crouch was fantastic for us in our box, heading away the long throws.
"It was an important game and a big win for us."