Keane backs Jol after fightback

Tottenham striker Robbie Keane insists under-fire boss Martin Jol has the full backing of the players after Monday's thrilling 4-4 draw with Aston Villa.

Spurs came back from 4-1 down and Keane said the spirit shown by the players demonstrated their respect for Jol.

"He has the support from everyone - he's shown what a good manager he is over the past few years," said Keane.

But Jol conceded the result would not necessarily end speculation over his future, with Spurs third from bottom.

Tottenham's indifferent start to the Premier League season, after they spent heavily during the summer transfer window, has led to Jol coming under increasing pressure.

"I've thought about my future for the last six weeks so it's nothing new," said Jol.

"I think about my future because I want to be better and better."

Keane, deputising for the injured Ledley King as captain of Spurs, said the fightback against Villa showed that team spirit was not an issue.

"We're going through a bit of a sticky patch at the moment," stated Keane.

"To come back from 4-1 down is unbelievable. We showed lots of character - that is what we have in this team.

"You should have seen our manager at the end when we scored the goal."

Jol said he was delighted with his team's second-half response after going into the break 3-1 behind.

"It was a relief in the end. I don't even want to think about if we had lost," he said.

"At half-time we told the players they have to play for the shirt and give everything - and they did that.

"I am happy for the fans that there was a sort of celebration."

Spurs had paraded former players and managers before kick-off to mark the club's 125th anniversary and Jol was pleased that his side managed a positive result in the end.

"It was a night about football. I don't want to think about negative things," he added.

"It's not about results or the league, it's about the celebration.

"We spoiled that. It was awful to concede the goals like we did.

"But my family are all in the marines and a commander never leaves his troops. If he does that he's lost.

"I kept my head cool and they have to do it. The only thing I can do is make substitutions."

Villa boss Martin O'Neill says he expected a Tottenham fightback.

"I would never think it's all over," O'Neill said. "We knew Tottenham would throw absolutely everything at us, with nothing to lose.

"At 4-2, it seemed that we saw off that part of the storm but I've seen it happen before.

"Naturally, we're disappointed. We could have gone fifth and it was a nice incentive but I hope we learn from it. I'm upbeat but disappointed for the travelling fans."