Tottenham Hotspur were condemned to their third consecutive defeat as Aston Villa came from behind to win 2-1 in the Premier League today.
It was an electrifying start to the game, with both sides spurning glorious opportunities within the first five minutes. Destiny Udogie was the first to waste a chance, firing over when played through by Pedro Porro.
Shortly afterwards, Dejan Kulusevski worked himself space for a shot inside the box. However, with the goal gaping, he saw his effort crash back off the post.
Lucas Digne picked out Pau Torres with a cross from a free kick at the other end, but the Spaniard placed his free header wide.
The game continued at an exciting pace, and it was only a matter of time before the opening goal arrived.
Porro’s corner found its way to Giovani Lo Celso at the edge of the box, and his powerful left-footed strike flew past Emiliano Martinez via a small deflection off Diego Carlos.
Villa thought they had drawn level almost instantly when Ollie Watkins glanced Digne’s cross into the net. But replays showed that the England international was marginally offside, and the goal was chalked off by VAR.
Spurs had the ball in the net for a second time when Heung-min Son clinically finished from Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg’s through ball, but the offside flag put an abrupt end to the South Korean’s celebrations.
The visitors netted an equaliser against the run of play on the stroke of half-time. Douglas Luiz swung in a glorious cross for Torres, and the centre-back made no mistake this time with a bullet header at the near post.
The Villans came within inches of taking the lead after the break. Guglielmo Vicario made a mess of Leon Bailey’s shot and was relieved to see the ball come back off the post.
Son thought he had bagged his ninth of the campaign when he tapped in from Brennan Johnson’s low cross. However, Johnson was offside in the build-up, and the goal was correctly chalked off.
The ball was in the net again just two minutes later, and this time it counted. Some lovely inter-play from Unai Emery’s side allowed Watkins the time and space to find the bottom corner and put his side in front.
Tottenham created several chances but couldn’t find the finishing touch. Ben Davies headed over from Son’s corner, while Martinez had to be at his best to deny Johnson and Hojbjerg.
However, Villa were also showing plenty of threat. Digne saw his free kick well saved, and Watkins missed the target from close range when picked out by John McGinn.
With the final whistle approaching, the hosts came desperately close to a leveller. Porro unleashed a thunderous strike onto the far post, and Son tapped home the rebound.
But, for the third time in the game, the former Bayer Leverkusen man was denied by the offside flag.
Villa withstood some late pressure and held out for the victory. The three points moved them above their opponents and into the Champions League places. Spurs fall to fifth place.
Tottenham Hotspur
Guglielmo Vicario (5/10) – Made a couple of impressive stops, but also had some shaky moments. Perhaps could have done better for the winner.
Pedro Porro (8/10) – Tottenham’s most threatening creative outlet. Got an assist and was unlucky not to score late on.
Emerson Royal (5/10) – Found it difficult up against Watkins. Caught out too easily.
Ben Davies (5/10) – Also struggled to cope with Watkins. Should have done better with a header in the second half.
Destiny Udogie (6/10) – Had a glorious chance early on which he got all wrong. Showed some attacking threat, but sometimes looked questionable at the back.
Brennan Johnson (6/10) – Caused plenty of problems, although his end product wasn’t always there.
Rodrigo Bentancur (NA/10) – Substituted in the first half with an injury.
Giovani Lo Celso (7/10) – Scored the opener. Played well in the first half, but faded as the game went on.
Dejan Kulusevski (7/10) – Provided a real threat. Hit the post, and came close on a couple of other occasions.
Bryan Gil (6/10) – Got into some good areas, but final ball often let him down.
Heung-min Son (6/10) – Denied by the offside flag on three occasions. Linked up well.
Substitutes
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (5/10)
Oliver Skipp (5/10)
Alejo Veliz (NA/10)
Aston Villa
Emiliano Martinez (8/10) – Made some spectacular saves, most notably from Johnson and Hojbjerg in the second half.
Ezri Konsa (6/10) – Struggled early on. Looked more comfortable as the game went on.
Diego Carlos (6/10) – Had his shaky moments in the first half. Grew into the game.
Pau Torres (7/10) – Scored a valuable goal right before half time and could have had another. Dealt well with the threat of Son.
Lucas Digne (8/10) *MOTM* – Unlucky not to have ended the game with at least one goal contribution. Created several chances, had a free kick well saved, and defended well.
Boubakar Kamara (6/10) – Overran in the first half. More assured after the break.
Douglas Luiz (7/10) – Put in a gem of a cross for the equaliser. Helped control things in the second half.
Matty Cash (4/10) – Did little of note in the first half aside from a bad-tempered challenge on Rodrigo Bentancur. Substituted at half-time.
John McGinn (7/10) – Helped regain control of the game when things looked difficult for the visitors. Created a few chances.
Moussa Diaby (4/10) – Anonymous in the first half. Substituted at the break.
Ollie Watkins (8/10) – A constant threat. Scored the winner, and will have been disappointed not to have had more.
Substitutes
Youri Tielemans (8/10)
Leon Bailey (6/10)
Jacob Ramsey (NA/10)
Jhon Duran (NA/10)
