Bale among the very best - Villas-Boas

Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas hailed Gareth Bale as one of best players in the world after the winger notched his first Barclays Premier League hat-trick in the 4-0 victory at Aston Villa.

Bale was the undoubted star of the show at Villa Park, twice going close to netting in a goalless first half and then, after Jermain Defoe had given Spurs the lead in the 57th minute, beating goalkeeper Brad Guzan in the 61st, 73rd and 84th to give the scoreline a look that more accurately reflected the visitors' dominance throughout the contest.

Asked if there were any better players in world football than Bale, Villas-Boas said: "He is up there with the best. He is showing tremendous skills and talent, I think he is improving every day - he is such a young player - and he is helping the team. He is one of our major assets."

Copyright (c) PA Sport 2012, All Rights Reserved.