After returning to the Tottenham bench Monday night, Harry Redknapp now believes Tottenham Hotspur can win the Premier League this season, if they keep their form up. Spurs have dropped only two points in their last nine games and they were scintillating at times Monday as they dismissed Aston Villa 2-0.

It is very hard to imagine Tottenham Hotspur sitting at the top of the table at the end of the season, but they are only four points off Manchester United, with a game in hand. They still languish behind the high-flying Manchester City, but Monday night Redknapp and his men in white demonstrated their upward mobility and their performance was brimming with speed and style. It has been 51 years since Spurs won the league title but Tottenham now appear as well equipped as any of the chasing pack to bridge the gap and even snatch the title from Manchester.

Rarely does a Premier League side have almost 70% of possession in a game. However against Villa, Tottenham really gave their fans reason to believe. They brushed past Aston Villa with so much authority and style, with all of their players performing to the highest standards. The football that has been played by Tottenham over the past few weeks has been elegant and demonstrates the sheer class that the side have. Adebayor is clearly loving life at the Lane, and can very easily fill the void of a consistent match-winning goalscorer; the midfield quartet are a blend of pace, invention, energy and efficiency, while the defense never fail to perform and are constantly in control. There are players at Tottenham that have so much potential. Walker is just one example. He is consistent, and one of the country’s most exciting prospects.

Eight wins in nine is an emphatic response to the humiliation they suffered when they played Manchester City at the beginning of the season. However where that takes them depends on their consistency and the performances of the clubs around them. Liverpool confirmed their status as top-four contenders with victory at Stamford Bridge while Arsenal have recovered from a disastrous start in an impressive fashion and in Robin van Persie, they boast the deadliest striker in the League by a distance. But, Tottenham seemed to rise to third place in an effortless way and with Redknapp being a master at what he does, why shouldn’t they have a shot at the biggest domestic prize of all?

Manchester United may have recorded five successive wins but still appear haunted by their derby day mauling by the league leaders, and Chelsea are clearly in a degree of disarray having lost three of their past four games. The only other club in the league performing to a higher standard than Tottenham is Manchester City, and although they are brimming with confidence and resilience, they are yet to prove they can go the distance. City’s next four League matches include clashes against Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal when their mettle will be tested and Spurs should be waiting to take advantage. Tottenham’s next big game is the visit of Chelsea on December 22, and that will really show whether Redknapp is serious about challenging for the title. But for now, looking at their performances, no other team is improving and becoming stronger every week like Tottenham are, and maybe that league title will be returning to London much sooner than anyone expected.