Entertainment was the story of a wide-open match at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium that saw Aston Villa come back to beat Spurs 2-1 on Sunday.
Three goals were taken away for offside as chances went back-and-forth with the live table; In the end, Villa climbed above Spurs into fourth place with 28 points to the hosts’ 26.
WATCH TOTTENHAM v ASTON FULL MATCH REPLAY STREAM
Injury-hit Spurs jumped out to a lead through Giovani Lo Celso after 22 minutes, but Pau Torres leveled the line in first-half stoppage time and Ollie Watkins scored after the hour mark to give Villa its first lead.
Villa’s now won three-straight games in all competitions, while Spurs have lost three-consecutive Premier League outings.
The teams combined for almost 4 xG, 31 shot attempts, and 13 shots on target, and three goals were ruled offside with Heung-min Son twice the culprit and Watkins off on a would-be Villa goal.
Feast of quality
Aston Villa went in to a tough venue against a good opponent and took all three points.
Tottenham was beset with injuries and performed well enough to beat a very good Villa.
It’s not crazy to think that both sides can leave the stadium heads held high and buzzing for the future, is it?
Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou and wily Villa mastermind Unai Emery will feel their teams are on track to righteously compete for a top-four place, and the only thing that will stop them is the treatment room. Right now, Villa’s doing just fine in that department while Spurs are one of a few Premier League teams wondering how so many players are unavailable at the same darn time. While the Premier League changes by the minute, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see both of these men lifting trophies this season while competing for honors this year and next.
What’s next?
Villa hosts Legia Warsaw in Conference League play on Thursday before visiting Bournemouth at 9am ET Sunday (Dec. 3). That’s 2.5 hours before Spurs kick off at Man City.
Tottenham vs Aston Villa final score: 1-2
Goal: Lo Celso (22'), Torres (45'+6), Watkins (61')
Tottenham vs Aston Villa player ratings
Tottenham vs Aston Villa player ratings (fotmob.com)
Tottenham vs Aston Villa player ratings (fotmob.com)
Tottenham vs Aston Villa live updates — by Nick Mendola
Ollie Watkins goal video
Youri Tielemans came off the bench at halftime along with Leon Bailey, and the ex-Leicester man has cued up an Ollie Watkins goal.
It’s no less than Villa deserve, even though both teams have continued to attack in the opening phases of the second half.
Tottenham vs Aston Villa halftime analysis: 1-1
Heung-min Son had a goal chalked off for offside in the 44th minute, and Villa’s late goal is just onside.
Villa’s Boubacar Kamara picked up a yellow card and will miss the next Premier League game, while Spurs lost another player to injury. Rodrigo Bentancur limped off and was replaced by Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, who cued up the disallowed Son goal.
Spurs are out-attempting Villa 7-5 and have 63% of the ball. They’re ahead in xG, 1.18-0.67, and Ange Postecoglou continues to serve notice that he’s fearless when it comes to his philosophy. His players are showing the same spirit, and Pedro Porro’s up to three assists on the season.
If this stays at this pace and ends 1-1, well, it probably won’t.
Pau Torres goal!
Heung-min Son had a goal chalked off for offside in the 44th minute, and Villa’s late goal is just onside.
These views are tight, but VAR’s lines are in favor of Pau Torres.
We’re six minutes into first-half stoppage and it’s eight minutes as the goal is confirmed, Torres beating the line and sending a resounding header past Guglielmo Vicario.
Ollie Watkins scores! But VAR...
The lines are being drawn as Villa fittingly answer Spurs opener within minutes of restart.
Ollie Watkins nods home a cross with an excellent header on the break, but he’s very close to Destiny Udogie and this will be either shirt sleeves or shins deciding whether it’s 1-1 or still 1-0 to Tottenham.
He’s offside by the slimmest of margins.
Giovani Lo Celso goal: Finally, a goal
After chances and chances and chances — for both teams, but predominantly in the Villa end — we have a goal.
And it’s a pretty one.
Giovani Lo Celso gets on the board with a delightful hit from the left corner.
4th minute: Chaotic start (How are Spurs not ahead)?
It rarely gets crazier at both ends from the start of the game as it’s been here today.
Aston Villa has the ball in the Spurs’ 18 but it’s too far from Matty Cash for real contact. Could’ve been 1-0.
Could’ve been 2-0 the other way as Destiny Udogie breaks the Villa high line but snaps a weaker foot shot over the bar. Moments later, Dejan Kulusevski cranks a shot off the far post.
Then the other way, where a Villa free kick is defied by Spurs. Wow. 0-0... for now.
Terry Venables tribute video
Former Tottenham, Barcelona, and England manager Terry Venables, nicknamed El Tel, passed away this weekend and has been saluted by both teams prior to kickoff.
How to watch Tottenham vs Aston Villa live, stream link and start time
Kick off: 9am ET, Sunday (November 26)
TV Channel: USA Network
Online: Stream via NBC.com
Tottenham lineup
Our team for #TOTAVL 🤍 pic.twitter.com/P3vvJ98yG5
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) November 26, 2023
Aston Villa lineup
Representing Aston Villa. 👊 pic.twitter.com/x7IJhTDlmt
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) November 26, 2023
Focus on Tottenham, team news
The strength of Tottenham’s squad remains a concern but they will have Destiny Udogie back this weekend at left back, while Romero will be back after the trip to Manchester City on Dec. 3. The way Postecoglou wants to play demands bravery, especially from the defenders, and Tottenham have to stay patient and keep playing the ball out of the back and pressing high up the pitch. That is very tough to do against an Aston Villa side who are so dangerous on the counter and that is what makes this game so intriguing. Romero and Yves Bissouma are both suspended for this game and van de Ven and Maddison remain out, while Richarlison is also out and long-term issues leave Spurs without Ryan Sessegnon, Manor Solomon and Alfie Whiteman. Pape Matar Sarr is also struggling with a knock and is set to have a late fitness test.
Focus on Aston Villa, team news
Unai Emery says that Villa are dreaming of finishing in the Champions League spots but if they win this game, they’ll be right up in their in the title battle. That may be a step too far for Villa but Emery has done a remarkable job and Villa are perhaps the best-coached team in the PL. Getting a marquee win like this will give them further belief they can keep climbing the table. Tyrone Mings and Emiliano Buendia remain out with their ACL injuries, while Diego Carlos could be fit for this game and Jacob Ramsey is also getting closer to full fitness. There are also doubts over Leon Bailey, Nicolo Zaniolo, Matty Cash, John McGinn and Emiliano Martinez.