Tottenham breathed new life into their battle to stay in the Premier League with a 2-1 victory at Champions League-chasing Aston Villa to move out of the relegation zone.
West Ham’s 3-0 defeat at Brentford on Saturday opened the door for Spurs, and Roberto De Zerbi’s side stepped confidently through it as the battle to beat the drop took a plot twist.
Spurs looked a different side under De Zerbi. The way they pressed and won back possession across the pitch was reminiscent of De Zerbi’s Brighton, giving every indication Spurs will have enough to stay in the top flight next season.
Aston Villa, who made seven changes from their Europa League semi-final first-leg defeat to Nottingham Forest, were second best from the first whistle as first-half goals from Conor Gallagher and Richarlison effectively finished the contest.
The expected Villa resurgence never came in the second half and despite Emi Buendia’s stoppage-time header, it was Spurs’ night as they produced arguably their best performance of the season at such a crucial point.
Spurs, who now have back-to-back league wins for the first time since the opening two games of the season, are one point above 18th-placed West Ham with three games left and are favourites to beat the drop. They have a home game against Leeds next and, after West Ham host Arsenal, their position could improve further.
De Zerbi remained cautious: “It’s not finished yet, the season. We have to play another three games, very tough games, starting Monday night, with Leeds. Leeds are playing very well. They deserve to stay in this position in the table. We can’t forget what the situation was before Wolverhampton – and before that it was a very sad situation. These memories have to stay in our head every day, especially this week after this win.”
While it was Spurs’ best performance of the season, Villa produced one of their worst displays of the campaign, with their attention clearly on Thursday’s Europa League semi-final second leg against Nottingham Forest. Villa stay fifth with a six-point cushion to Bournemouth in sixth, have suffered three straight defeats in all competitions and missed the chance to all but seal a Champions League spot for next season. Unai Emery’s side now must respond to overturn a one-goal deficit against Forest on Thursday.
De Zerbi to TNT Sports: “We played against Aston Villa and Aston Villa is a very good team, with a lot of very good players and a great manager, but we played very well for 60 minutes, I think, with the ball, without the ball. Then we suffered Watkins, we suffered Buendia, we concede a goal. The only bad thing on the pitch was the goal we conceded. We could have scored more goals, especially in the first half, but I’m pleased for this performance from my players. I know how much they suffered this season and for that I’m very proud. The high pressure, for sure, because the high pressure is a mentality. Then the possession because we played very, very well, with calm. When we had to attack the space or to go to shoot, we did. When we had to keep the ball, we did. I love playing football. Especially if you have these players in the squad, my job is to help them, to put them in the right condition to play, to show what they are capable of doing.”
Conor Gallagher to TNT Sports: “We’re really happy with the performance and the three points. It’s been a perfect night but hopefully it’s just the start. We want to carry it on for the last few games of the season. I can’t speak highly enough of him. He’s been so good. Every player in the squad has taken to him; he makes you feel so good. He brings the best out of you.”
Aston Villa boss Unai Emery to TNT Sports: “We didn’t deserve more. Today, Tottenham played a very good match. They scored two goals so quick and then they dominated the first half more than we planned. Good reaction in the second half; we were pushing more, playing better than the first half. We tried to react, scoring one goal, but we only achieved it at the end of the match. We must accept this defeat. Yes (we were below our standard in the first half), but we were playing against Tottenham. They are in the bottom, but they are a very good team. Last week we lost against Fulham and which players played against Fulham? We played against Nottingham Forest and we lost. Today we lost with different players. It’s a different match, a different competition. We’re in the semi-finals and of course we are going to enjoy the match and enjoy the process. To play in the semi-final of the Europa League is fantastic. I don’t play one match like this in three years here. The supporters forget we are having a fantastic season and we are on the same points as Liverpool on 58.”
Player ratings:
Aston Villa: Martinez (6), Cash (6), Lindelof (5), Mings (6), Maatsen (5), Bogarde (5), Tielemans (6), Barkley (5), Sancho (5), Rogers (5), Abraham (5). Subs: Watkins (6), Buendia (n/a), Bailey (n/a).
Spurs: Kinsky (7), Porro (7), Danso (7), Van de Ven (8), Udogie (7), Bentancur (7), Gallagher (9), Palhinha (8), Tel (7), Richarlison (8), Kolo Muani (8). Subs: Spence (6), Bissouma (6), Bergvall (n/a), Sarr (n/a).
Player of the Match: Conor Gallagher.