Tottenham beat 10-man Aston Villa 4-0 at Villa Park on Sunday to take a huge step towards a top four finish.
With 11 games to go in the season, Spurs’ UEFA Champions League dream is now in their own hands as they’ve won back-to-back Premier League games for the first time since December and have lost just one of their last eight.
Ange Postecoglou’s side were the more adventurous throughout as Villa set up in a 3-5-2 formation. Spurs broke through early in the second half as James Maddison and Brennan Johnson each scored in the space of three minutes.
To rub further salt in Villa’s wounds their captain John McGinn was then shown a straight red card for a nasty challenge on Destiny Udogie.
Heung-min Son and Timo Werner both scored in the space of three minutes in stoppage time to add further gloss to a hugely important win for Spurs.
With the win Tottenham move on to 53 points, two points behind fourth-place Aston Villa and Spurs have a game in-hand.
A rare time Unai Emery gets his tactics wrong
Aston Villa set up with a back five for this game and they handed Tottenham the initiative from the start. Unai Emery got it badly wrong and we can’t say that often in his managerial career or during his time at Villa over the last 17 months. Villa had a gruelling UEFA Conference League last 16 first leg draw away at Ajax on Thursday and that played its part in the team selection as they looked tired. But there were still chances on the counter for Villa which they didn’t make the most of. Spurs pressed Villa well and as soon as the first goal went in it felt like it was game over. The only negative for Tottenham was losing Micky van de Ven to injury but Ange Postecoglou’s side are now in the driving seat to finish above Villa and finish in fourth to qualify for the Champions League partly down to their own relentless display but also due to Villa’s surprisingly negative tactics.
Aston Villa vs Tottenham player ratings
Via our friends at FotMob.com you can see that Son, Kulusevski, Johnson and Maddison had a huge impact on the game as it opened up in the second half. Spurs’ full backs Porro and Udogie were excellent too. Villa had an off-day from start to finish but Douglas Luiz never gave up and did his best to launch counters whenever he could.
What’s next?
Aston Villa head to West Ham on Sunday, March 17, while Tottenham head to Fulham on Saturday, March 16.
How to watch Aston Villa vs Tottenham live, stream link and start time
Kick off: 9am ET Sunday
TV Channel: USA Network
Online: Stream via NBC.com
Aston Villa vs Tottenham live updates! - By Joe Prince-Wright
Aston Villa vs Tottenham score: 0-4
Maddison 50', Johnson 53', Son 90+1', Werner 94'
Timo Werner slots home - Aston Villa 0-4 Tottenham (94th minute)
Substitute Werner is in on the act now. Son plays him in wonderfully and Werner opens up his body and passes the ball into the far corner.
Son makes it 3-0 in stoppage time - Aston Villa 0-3 Tottenham (91st minute)
Heung-min Son gets his goal. Kulusevski races free down the right after good work from Porro and he finds Son to hammer home Spurs’ third.
Son has a shot blocked as Spurs want more
Tottenham are flowing now and want more goals against the 10 men of Villa. The ball is played back to Son by Kulusevski but his shot is blocked.
Red card for John McGinn after a silly challenge on Udogie
That is really nasty from John McGinn. Aston Villa’s captain goes flying in and absolutely whacks Udogie as he basically just kicks him. There was no need for that. McGinn is sent off and Villa are now missing their captain for the next three league games. So silly from McGinn.
Johnson makes it two - Aston Villa 0-2 Tottenham (53rd minute)
Oh Villa. What are you doing? They play a loose ball at the back and Kulusevski wins it, Son plays in Johnson and he finishes into the roof of the net to send the away fans wild. Two goals in three minutes for Spurs. Clinical from Ange’s boys.
Spurs are ahead! Maddison finishes - Aston Villa 0-1 Tottenham (50th minute)
The ball breaks to Sarr on the right and he charges forward and then picks out a perfect cross to find Maddison who volleys home from six yards out. Tottenham ahead at Aston Villa and cue the darts-themed celebration from Maddison.
Micky van de Ven is off with an injury
The big Dutch center back is down holding his right leg and he’s coming off. Dragusin is on. Tottenham without VDV is not ideal as they love to play a ridiculously high-line and rely on the Dutchman’s incredible pace on the recovery.
Second half is underway and Cash has a chance
Matty Cash is played in down the right and he decides to cut in instead of crossing for Watkins who was free. Watkins isn’t best pleased with that decision as Cash’s shot is easily blocked. Villa getting more joy on the counter.
Half time: Aston Villa 0-0 Tottenham
Villa are playing a back five and they’re frustrating Tottenham, while being a threat on the counter. Emery won’t be happy with the lack of control his team has had in this game but it seems like the plan. Spurs have had plenty of the ball but haven’t really created any big chances. Stalemate at the break.
Digne flicks over
A Villa corner finds Digne and he flicks it goalwards at the near post but the ball loops over the bar. It came off Digne’s shoulder instead of his head. Decent chance for Villa. Probably the best of the game either side have had.
Spurs finishing the half strong
They started well and Spurs are finishing the first half well too. Johnson and Son combine in the box but the former can’t pick out a teammate with his pass in the box. This is all very edgy and Villa are trying to launch counters whenever they can.
Yet to have a shot on target
Well, this has been a little disappointing so far. We are in the 33rd minute and there hasn’t been a shot on target. This game is huge for both teams and that has led to this cagey encounter. So far. One goal will open things up very nicely.
Villa waste a big chance on the break
John McGinn starts a counter and Watkins is played in over the top and is clean through on goal... but he decides to pass the ball instead of shoot and Tottenham clear. Watkins may have just been offside but why didn’t he have a shot there!?
Spurs are putting Villa under a lot of pressure high up the pitch
Ange’s boys are pressing high and have a 15-0 lead so far in pressures in the final third. Villa can’t control the game and their midfielders have barely touched the ball. Sarr and Bissouma are doing a great job at winning the ball back for Spurs.
Watkins bursts into the box but VDV is there
A long ball forward sees Watkins get there ahead of Romero but as he charges into the box, Micky van de Ven comes across and makes a brilliant challenge. Watkins is down injured for a while but he’s back on his feet now. That is a warning sign for Spurs that they have to be aware of the long ball over the top.
We are off and running
What a brilliant atmosphere at Villa Park! The home fans are well up for this and their team are taking the game to Tottenham early on. This feels like it could be the day Villa really cement themselves in the top four. Tottenham have to win this but that will leave plenty of gaps on the counter for this ruthless Villa side to expose. Buckle up...
Aston Villa lineup
Martinez; Konza, Lenglet, Torres; Cash, Luiz, McGinn, Digne; Tielemans, Bailey; Watkins
Tottenham lineup
Vicario; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie; Sarr, Bissouma; Kulusevski, Maddison, Johnson; Son
Aston Villa focus, team news
OUT: Boubacar Kamara (torn ACL - out for season), Emiliano Buendia (torn ACL - out for season), Tyrone Mings (torn ACL - out for season), Jacob Ramsey (foot)
Tottenham Hotspur focus, team news
OUT: Manor Solomon (knee), Ryan Sessegnon (thigh), Fraser Forster (foot), Richarlison (knee)