Benteke's 35th-minute header enabled Villa to open up a six-point gap between themselves and the bottom three, easing their relegation fears.
It was the least they deserved against a Tottenham side who struggled to get out of first gear all afternoon, as visiting manager Sherwood was given a moment to savour against his former employers.
Sherwood, sacked by Spurs after a five-month stint last season, received a warm welcome from the home fans, but given his rancour over the nature of his dismissal, this will have been a sweet moment.
His Villa side began the brightest and did not let up all game, bullying a Spurs team who lost ground on Southampton – 2-0 victors against Hull City – in the contest for Europa League places.
Villa conjured a shooting opportunity that was wasted when Leandro Bacuna blazed wide after finding room in the 19th minute.
Tottenham looked laboured, but finally got into their stride when Danny Rose's low shot was blocked by Aston Villa goalkeeper Brad Guzan.
Benteke has been Villa's saviour since Sherwood succeeded the sacked Paul Lambert on Valentine's Day and the Belgian striker continued his hot streak by heading the visitors in front.
Bacuna swung a cross into the box from wide on the right and Benteke beat Federico Fazio in the air to guide a header in off the left-hand post.
It was Benteke's eighth goal in six games and it was no more than Villa warranted.
KANE GOES CLOSE
And it could have been even better for the visitors, with the opposite post denying Sherwood's men on the stroke of halftime.
Benteke flicked on Kieran Richardson's long ball and Gabriel Agbonlahor darted between a pair of defenders before seeing his low strike bounce back off the woodwork.
Tottenham were all at sea and Ron Vlaar had the chance to punish them moments after the break. The Dutchman met Jack Gealish's corner, but could not keep his header beneath Michel Vorm's crossbar.
Clean sheets have been few and far between for Villa this season and they had to endure a few scares before the final whistle.
They were given a warning when Vlaar diverted Rose's shot just wide of his own goal.
And with Tottenham possessing Harry Kane, the Premier League's joint-top scorer, there was always a chance for the lacklustre hosts.
Kane, captain again in the continued absence of injured goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, was unfortunate to see his left-foot shot fail to dip under the crossbar on the hour mark.
But the home fans were becoming increasingly restless as Pochettino's side ran out of time and with the outstanding Vlaar marshalling their defence, Villa looked comfortable.
Villa spurned a chance to wrap up the points late on when Fabian Delph somehow failed to beat Vorm when put clean through.
But the miss counted for nothing as the visitors held on despite midfielder Carlos Sanchez being sent off deep into added time for two bookable offences.
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