A first win in three Premier League games for Aston Villa has given them hope that they could still play a part in a European competition next season.
The win was Villa’s sixth win in a row at Villa Park and their first win over Tottenham Hotspur at Villa Park since January 2008.
Unai Emery could name a fully fit squad for the first time since he became manager in October. Although some of his returning players were unable to play 90 minutes, they were fit enough to feature.
Villa now has two cup finals against Liverpool at Anfield and Brighton comes to Villa Park in the final game of the season. The final match could prove to be a European play-off depending on how results go elsewhere.
Match Report: Aston Villa 2-1 Tottenham Hotspur
Emery made one change to the side that lost to Wolverhampton Wanderers last week as Leon Bailey replaced Bertrand Traore who dropped to the bench.
Despite two defeats in a row while on their travels, Villa started with confidence and it paid off with an early goal through Jacob Ramsey.
Ollie Watkins was able to flick the ball onto Ramsey despite being fouled by Cristian Romero, from there, the England u-21 midfielder found Bailey before getting into the box and slotting home the return cross into the bottom corner.
Villa continued to dominate without looking like a threat to the Spur’s goal as the visitors were consistently caught offside by Villa’s impressive high line.
Tottenham thought they beat the offside when Son Heung-min broke through and rounded keeper Emi Martinez but he could only find the post, the ball then fell to Son’s strike partner Harry Kane but he was denied by Martinez before the linesman raised his flag for offside. Much to the annoyance of both sets of supporters.
Villa should have doubled their lead moments later when Emi Buendia found Watkins who in turn found Bailey in the box but the Jamiacan’s tame effort was saved by Fraser Forster.
The home side then had a claim for a penalty when Emerson Royal appeared to clip Watkins in the penalty box. VAR ruled the decision made the correct decision although replays later revealed it was a dubious decision.
Villa were finishing the first half strongly and again came close doubling their lead. Moreno’s volleyed cross picked out Watkins but his headed effort went wide of the goal. Ramsey then pulled the ball for Buendia who could only watch on as his effort crashed off the crossbar.
Was Villa going to rue not taking their chances in the second half?
Tottenham nearly made them pay with their first effort on goal when Douglas Luiz was caught napping by Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg whose touch sent Kane through on goal but Martinez was equal to the effort to deny Spurs leading goalscorer.
The visitors were growing with confidence and substitute Dejan Kulusevski came close but his curled effort went wide of the far post.
Just when things were looking nervy for the home side, Villa were awarded a free-kick. Romero brought down Watkins just outside the box and Brazilian Luiz stepped up firing a curling effort, and despite Forster getting a head to the shot, he could only push the ball into the roof of the net. 2-0.
Villa looked in complete control at this stage until the visitors were awarded a controversial penalty. Kane ran through and went down from a challenge from Martinez, one may would say he brought but equally one I would have expected had it been the other way around. The England striker stepped up and sent Martinez the wrong way to pull one back late on.
Analysis
Many had written Villa off given their previous performances against Manchester United and Wolves but the fans were right behind the players and were rewarded with a fantastic win and performance.
I have seen many speak about the Kane penalty and although I don’t agree they should be penalties, it was always going to be given in the modern game. The controversial decision for me was the one Villa should have been rewarded in the first half when Watkins was clipped. It’s hard sometimes to make a case that there isn’t something wrong with the box six and VAR in the Premier League.
