Tottenham responded to their shock Europa League exit in midweek with a hard-fought Premier League victory over Aston Villa that keeps Jose Mourinho’s side in the hunt for a top-four finish.
They were labelled a “disgrace” by captain Hugo Lloris after the 3-0, last-16 second-leg defeat by Dinamo Zagreb on Thursday that saw Spurs throw away a 2-0 aggregate advantage and left their hopes of qualification for next season’s Champions League pinned on their league placing.
But Carlos Vinicius’ opener and Harry Kane’s second-half spot-kick ensured Tottenham made the necessary winning response to climb to sixth in the standings, three points behind Chelsea in fourth.
An interchange of slick passes between Lucas Moura and Kane following a poor clearance by Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez allowed Vinicius to put Spurs ahead from close range after 30 minutes.
And Kane avoided a potentially nervous finish to the game for his side, sending Martinez the wrong way with his penalty after being fouled by Matty Cash.
In the continued absence of skipper Jack Grealish, Villa failed to register a shot until Trezeguet’s blocked attempt after 58 minutes.
The hosts were much improved after the interval, although substitute Anwar el Ghazi’s powerful drive into the side-netting was as close as they came.
Defeat leaves Dean Smith’s side 10th, seven points behind Spurs in the Europa League positions, although they have one game in hand.
More to follow.
Line-ups
Aston Villa
Formation 4-3-3
- 26Martínez
- 2CashBooked at 74mins
- 4Konsa
- 5Mings
- 18TargettBooked at 90mins
- 25SansonSubstituted forBarkleyat 66′minutes
- 6Douglas Luiz
- 7McGinnBooked at 83mins
- 15TraoréSubstituted forEl Ghaziat 60′minutes
- 11Watkins
- 17TrézéguetSubstituted forDavisat 79′minutes
Substitutes
- 1Heaton
- 3Taylor
- 19Nakamba
- 20Barkley
- 21El Ghazi
- 22Engels
- 27El Mohamady
- 39Davis
- 41Ramsey
Tottenham
Formation 4-4-2
- 1Lloris
- 25Tanganga
- 6D Sánchez
- 14Rodon
- 3ReguilónSubstituted forDaviesat 57′minutes
- 18Lo CelsoBooked at 62minsSubstituted forBergwijnat 66′minutes
- 28NdombeleSubstituted forSissokoat 81′minutes
- 5Højbjerg
- 27Lucas Moura
- 45Alves MoraisBooked at 83mins
- 10Kane
Substitutes
- 9Bale
- 12Hart
- 15Dier
- 17Sissoko
- 20Alli
- 23Bergwijn
- 33Davies
- 53Scarlett
- 54Devine
Live Text
Match ends, Aston Villa 0, Tottenham Hotspur 2.
Second Half ends, Aston Villa 0, Tottenham Hotspur 2.
Corner, Tottenham Hotspur. Conceded by Matthew Cash.
Matt Targett (Aston Villa) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Lucas Moura (Tottenham Hotspur) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul by Matt Targett (Aston Villa).
Corner, Tottenham Hotspur. Conceded by Tyrone Mings.
Keinan Davis (Aston Villa) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Pierre-Emile Højbjerg (Tottenham Hotspur).
Foul by Douglas Luiz (Aston Villa).
Lucas Moura (Tottenham Hotspur) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Attempt blocked. Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by John McGinn.
Corner, Aston Villa. Conceded by Japhet Tanganga.
Attempt blocked. Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Attempt blocked. Keinan Davis (Aston Villa) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Ross Barkley.
Corner, Aston Villa. Conceded by Japhet Tanganga.
Attempt blocked. Ross Barkley (Aston Villa) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Keinan Davis.
John McGinn (Aston Villa) is shown the yellow card.
Carlos Vinícius (Tottenham Hotspur) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Foul by Carlos Vinícius (Tottenham Hotspur).
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