Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp made his first appearance on the bench since undergoing minor heart surgery three weeks ago, and he witnessed a vibrant attacking display in which Gareth Bale and Adebayor combined to devastating effect at White Hart Lane.
Adebayor was unmarked inside the box when he acrobatically arched his body to kick the ball into the net in the 14th minute from Bale's miscued shot after Villa had failed to clear the danger from a corner.
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It was the first goal in two months for Adebayor, the Togo
international who is on loan from Manchester City after a previous spell
at Real Madrid.
Adebayor's fifth goal of the season came from close range in the 40th minute following a cross whipped in by Bale and missed by Villa defender James Collins and goalkeeper Shay Given.
Tottenham haven't lost in the league since the 5-1 thrashing by Man City in August. In fact, the team has been beaten only once in the past 14 matches in all competitions - and that was a second-string line-up which went down 1-0 at Rubin Kazan in the Europa League. Spurs were also knocked out of the League Cup by Stoke in a penalty shootout.
Tottenham moved past Chelsea and Newcastle to lie nine points behind leaders City and four back from second-placed Manchester United, but with a match in hand on both of them. Villa stayed eighth, 19 points off the pace.
"I enjoyed the way we played tonight. I think the fans enjoyed it as well - they've seen lots of great teams over the years and they're enjoying the way this team's playing," Redknapp said. "It's great to be back tonight. I wouldn't want to watch it at home again, that was nerve-wracking."
Villa couldn't rein in Bale despite often double-teaming him, with rightback Carlos Cuellar being given a torrid time by the Wales winger until he was replaced with almost 30 minutes left.
That substitution came only moments after Bale and Adebayor had combined again to create a great chance, however the Togo striker's side-footed finish curled wide of the post.
Given made a great stop in the 77th minute to deny Adebayor his first hat-trick in more than three years, bravely diving at the striker's feet as he struck the ball.
Adebayor had earlier missed a one-on-one chance after being played in by Luka Modric, who was increasingly influential in the second half, and he headed wide from Aaron Lennon's chipped cross from the right flank in the 11th minute.
"I love Luka. I love the way he plays his football," Redknapp said.
Tottenham had 17 shots at goal compared to only six from Villa.