Tottenham Hotspur manager Andre Villas-Boas: Don't compare Andros Townsend and Gareth Bale...just yet

England winger maintained his impressive form against Aston Villa

Andros Townsend (left) greets Gareth Bale during Tottenham's pre-season tour of the US in 2012 (GETTY IMAGES)

Andre Villas-Boas says it is too early to draw comparisons between man of the moment Andros Townsend and last season’s outstanding player for Tottenham Hotspur, Gareth Bale.

Townsend, 22, scored the opening goal in the 2-0 victory against Aston Villa at Villa Park on Sunday to cap a memorable nine days for the winger, who terrorised defenders in his first two matches for England in the World Cup qualifiers against Montenegro and Poland, and also scored on his international debut.

The Welsh forward Bale went on to score 21 Premier League goals and maintain his terrific form throughout the season before he moved to Real Madrid for a world-record £86m over the summer, and while the Spurs manager is delighted with Townsend’s impressive recent performances, he says it is too early to compare him with Bale.

“Gareth's influence grew to be immense last season. It is early days for Andros, but I think it was a great performance.

“He [Townsend] gives us so many attacking options because he is able to take the team forward with his driving ability and link-up play, crossing, assisting.

“It was another great performance, like we saw for his country.”