Grealish comes back and so do Villa! Spurs most probably in the UEFA Conference League next season

Tottenham needed to win in both of their two last fixtures to keep their hopes of Champions or Europa League football next season alive - with additional 'help' by neighboring teams at the league table. Unfortunately for the Spurs and their young interim manager Ryan Mason, Aston Villa turned the score around in the first half already and stood their ground. Final score 1-2 in front of 10,000 disappointed Tottenham fans.

Return of Villa's best player, Jack Grealish, presented as a massive boost for the squad of Dean Smith. One of the most sought-after English footballers made his first start since mid-January and it showed - Grealish wanted the ball in his feet and was constantly creating trouble for the Spurs defence.

Even so, the hosts were first to score. It was the 8th minute when Steven Bergwijn produced a powerful finish in the roof of the net. He thumped the ball into the top corner from the edge of the box.

He nicked it off Marvelous Nakamba, held off John McGinn then blasted home an unstoppable shot.

After three goals in his first six Premier League games, Bergwijn has scored his first such goal since June 2020 against Manchester United, ending a run of 27 appearances and 333 days without a goal

Aston Villa did not wait long before the score was leveled. And in what a hilarious way! An unfortunate own goal by Sergio Reguilon who attempted to smack the ball away, but instead he sent it inside the right post of his own goal.

Each of Spurs' last three Premier League own goals have come at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium - all of which have been this season.

Also, Reguilon's own-goal was the 1000th scored in Premier League history, 10,483 days after the very first back in August 1992.

After that ridiculous goal by Reguilon, Villa were the better side. In the 34th minute McGinn tried with a shot from the edge of the box but it went narrowly over the bar at the last second.

However, five minutes later the guests took the lead. Reguilon was at fault again, whacking a pass against Bertrand Traore.

The ball went to Ollie Watkins and he brilliantly held off Eric Dier before stroking a left-foot shot past Lloris from close range.

Watkins is now the joint-highest scoring Englishman in a Premier League season for Aston Villa with 14 goals.

Just seconds before the half time whistle, Watkins could have deepened the sorrow of 10.000 Spurs fans present. He drilled a shot towards the right post but Hugo Lloris made a great save to stop the effort.

When the players came back from the dressing rooms, hosts looked more determined to score. Especially Bergwijn. He had two great chances in the span of three minutes but Villa goalie Emiliano Martinez reacted great to those attempts.

What Bergwijn was for Tottenham, Watkins was for Aston Villa. These two battled it through numerous chances. Watkins could have scored his second in the 66th minute but Lloris was aware and reacted properly.

Most-probably-soon-departing Harry Kane had his first major opportunity in the 75th minute - he had a sight of goal and shot towards the right post, but the Argentine between Villa's posts made a superb save.

Spurs did not want lose their last home turf game this year. And of course they had to chase after those three points if they wanted that Europa League football.

And as they tried with their futile build ups, Villa almost scored their third but one of the defenders superbly blocked Watkins.

Young Carney Chukwuemeka also wasted a promising chance - he tried his luck with a shot from mid-range, but his effort smacked the left post.

Spurs slowly lost steam and made their peace with being defeated this afternoon. Villa are safe at 11th while Spurs can only hope clubs around them at the table will lose their matches.

PREMIER LEAGUE - ROUND 37

Tuesday

Manchester United - Fulham 1-1 (1-0)

/Cavani 15' - Bryan 76'/

Southampton - Leeds 0-2 (0-0)

/Bamford 75', Roberts 90+5'/

Brighton - Manchester City 3-2 (0-1)

/Trossard 50', Webster 72', Burn 76' - Gundogan 2', Foden 48'/

Chelsea - Leicester City 2-1 (0-0)

/Rudiger 48', Jorginho 66' pen - Iheanacho 76'/

Wednesday

Everton - Wolverhampton 1-0 (0-0)

/Richarlison 48'/

Newcastle - Sheffield United 1-0 (1-0)

/Willock 45+4'/

Tottenham - Aston Villa 1-2 (1-2)

/Bergwijn 8' - Reguilon 20' og, Watkins 39'/

Crystal Palace - Arsenal 1-3 (0-1)

/Benteke 62' - Pepe 35', 90+5', Martinelli 92'/

Burnley - Liverpool 0-1 (UNDERWAY)

West Brom - West Ham 1-1 (UNDERWAY)