Conte: Kane among the best strikers in history

Antonio Conte believes Tottenham are showing a new-found maturity in recent weeks and has backed Harry Kane to continue proving he is among the best strikers in history.

Spurs have recovered from a run of four defeats in five games earlier this year to win five of their last six in the Premier League, leaving them fourth in the table with their revived Champions League hopes now in their own hands.

The club's defensive lapses have dwindled in that time, Conte's side keeping three clean sheets in their last six league matches, while their improved form hit a new peak as they thrashed in-form Newcastle 5-1 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday.

Conte said ahead of Saturday's tea-time trip to Aston Villa, live on Sky Sports Premier League: "We need to continue to play the way we are playing in this period, after hard work we have improved a lot. In the past, we won games but now I think I am starting to see the right maturity in my team, the right solidity, and also the right confidence from my players in every game to try to get three points.

"In this league, every game is very difficult but if you compare the past, my team has improved a lot and I now feel more comfortable to face the opponents.

"Having more days, more time to work with your players is important. Don't forget I came in this season in November, and did not have the same time as other coaches or managers, no pre-season to build my team with players I wanted to sign in the summer.

"There was a lot of difficulty, but despite this we have worked very well. It's important to have more time to spend with my team to improve other tactical and physical aspects in the mentality and analysis, to prepare for a game every six or seven days instead of two or