Ghana striker Jordan Ayew scored his second English Premier League goal on Monday night at White Hart Lane but the strike by the substitute did nothing to inspire Aston Villa as they lost 3-1 to Tottenham.
Mousa Dembele give Tottenham the lead after just three minutes with his second goal in as many games after scoring in the 5-1 win at AFC Bournemouth last time out.
Dele Alli's low finish just before half-time looked to have wrapped things up for Tottenham but a late show of spirit enabled Villa to get back into the game.
Jordan Ayew's deflected 79th-minute strike halved the deficit and gave the Midlands club hope of snatching a point, but that was snuffed out in stoppage time as Harry Kane wrapped up the victory for the home side.
Tottenham held firm to go fifth in the table, while Villa remain rooted to the bottom ahead of Garde's first match in charge at home against leaders Manchester City on Sunday.
Tottenham appeared to be cruising to victory in a largely low-key second half but, after Leandro Bacuna had struck the post, Ayew set up a nervy finish when he pounced on some poor defending from the hosts with a strike that deflected in off Jan Vertonghen.
Fellow substitute Rudy Gestede headed wide before Ayew jangled the home fans' nerves further by bending an effort narrowly over.
However, Villa could not take advantage of their superiority in the final minutes and were punished for not taking their chances in stoppage time when Kane found the top-right corner as Tottenham moved to within five points of City.
The goal will boost Ayew's confidence as he had previously been under pressure for not scoring in Aston Villa's matches since his move from French side Lorient.