Tottenham vs Aston Villa LIVE: Premier League result and final score as Spurs suffer third straight defeat
Tottenham 1-2 Aston Villa: Ollie Watkins scored the winner as the visitors came from behind to leapfrog the hosts into fourth place
Tottenham slipped to a third successive Premier League defeat as they were beaten 2-1 at home by Aston Villa in an absorbing clash full of chances.
Villa’s first win on the road in just over two months took them above Tottenham into fourth place in the table but it did not look likely early on.
The hosts were given a deserved lead by Giovani Lo Celso’s deflected shot in the 22nd minute and could have been comfortably ahead before Pau Torres levelled with a thumping header deep in first-half stoppage time.
Chances continued to flow both ways after the break but it was Villa who went ahead with a fine finish by Ollie Watkins just past the hour mark after being set up by Youri Tielemans.
Villa keeper Emiliano Martinez made two great saves, Ben Davies headed a golden chance over the bar and Pedro Porro hit the post for the luckless hosts who also suffered another injury blow as Rodrigo Bentancur limped off in the first half.
Follow all the action below plus get the latest odds and tips for the match right here:
FULL-TIME: Tottenham 1-2 Aston Villa
As the certainty of Tottenham’s top-four hopes slip from view, Aston Villa’s have never appeared stronger as Unai Emery’s side leapfrogged the hosts in north London. That was the result of a wonderfully open and often chaotic encounter at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as Villa rode their luck and just about managed to cling on their high-wire tightrope to emerge with this statement win, yet one that for long stretches looked to be beyond them.
Tottenham will struggle to come to terms with this but defeat leaves Ange Postecoglou’s side with a third Premier League loss in a row and looking very much like a team in the midst of a major injury crisis. But while the makeshift centre-back partnership of Emerson Royal and Ben Davies were exposed by Ollie Watkins, who fired Villa to a ninth win of the season and to within two points off leaders Arsenal, it was Tottenham’s forwards and host of missed chances that proved just as decisive to the outcome.
Report by Jamie Braidwod at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Tottenham and Aston Villa’s clash of high lines reveals a new top-four contender
Tottenham 1-2 Aston Villa: Injury-hit Spurs wasted chances and were punished by Unai Emery’s side, who moved above the hosts and into fourth
FULL-TIME: Tottenham 1-2 Aston Villa
Ange Postecoglou, Tottenham manager, speaking to BBC Sport: “I’m disappointed for the fans and the players because their play was outstanding today. The football we played was as good as it’s been all season.
“All you can ask for is that the guys give their all so there’s no frustration, just disappointment that they didn’t get what they deserved.”
On Rodrigo Bentancur’s injury: “I’m disappointed for him because I don’t think it was a great tackle. That’s what we’re going through at the moment but if we keep playing like that we’ll get through it.”
FULL-TIME: Tottenham 1-2 Aston Villa
Ollie Watkins, Aston Villa striker, speaking to BBC Sport after the game: “We didn’t have the best of starts and we were lucky to come in at 1-1. That goal right before half-time was a massive boost for us and it was crucial.
“I don’t think there’s been a game where we haven’t created chances. We have a big belief in ourselves. We had plenty of opportunities to score and we came away with the three points, which is massive for us.
“The games are coming thick and fast now but when you’re on a good run, like we are, that’s what you want. I think all the lads are looking forward to it.”
Coming up next
We’ll have more match reaction and a full match report to come but the focus shifts now to Merseyside where Everton take on Manchester United.
Kick-off is just over ten minutes away and you can follow all the match action by clicking the link below:
Everton vs Manchester United LIVE: Latest Premier League updates
The Toffees play their first match at Goodison Park since being hit with a 10-point deduction for breaching financial rules
FULL-TIME: Tottenham 1-2 Aston Villa
A well-deserved win for the visitors:
FULL-TIME: Tottenham 1-2 Aston Villa
And here’s the winning goal - Watkins’s seventh off the season - which saw Villa claim all three points in north London:
FULL-TIME: Tottenham 1-2 Aston Villa
A huge result for Villa! The full-time whistle goes and it’s all three points for the visitors as Watkins’ second-half strike secures a comeback victory for Unai Emery’s side who leapfrog Spurs into fourth place.
That’s now three defeats in a row for Spurs who also had to deal with another injury in the form of Bentancur. After such a promising start to the season, there are problems to be solved now for Postecoglou.
Tottenham 1-2 Aston Villa
90+5 mins: Another set piece comes and goes for Spurs as Son just can’t connect with the ball at the back post. It’s just not been his day.
Tottenham 1-2 Aston Villa
90+3 mins: Torres is clumsy into a tackle on Veliz and Spurs have another free-kick in an almost identical position to a few moments ago. It’s a better delivery from Porro but Carlos is strong in the air and clears it away.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments