Spurs out of relegation zone after a win over Villa

Tonight’s game between Aston Villa and Tottenham was never meant to be important for the home team. Unai Emery’s men have all but secured the Champions League place and even after a 2-1 loss from Tottenham they only need to win against Burnley next week and their place will be safe. But the manner in which they lost tonight is deeply worried. A team which is fifth on the table and can secure Europa League final on Thursday played their worst game of the season, failed to make a single shot for the first hour of play and annoyed their fans. Home supporters were pictured shouting at the players and abusing them for their lack of effort, while Tottenham did everything opposite.

The Spurs finally got a win last week against Wolves and tonight they showed a bit of that Roberto De Zerbi enthusiasm. They ran like mad, they fought for every ball, they created chances and they got back their self-confidence. With this huge win, they leapfrogged West Ham who are now in relegation zone. Tottenham’s squad was never going to fight for relegation, but a combination of bad displays under Thomas Frank, a huge amount of injuries and ill-advised Igor Tudor appointment got them in this situation. On the other hand, Villa’s reserve players, who got the chance to show their qualities tonight should be worried. They had one shot on target for 96 minutes and without a proper chance (apart from the injury time goal), they won’t keep their place in Emery’s team come June. Victor Lindelof, Tyrone Mings, Ian Maatsen, Lamare Bogarde, Ross Barkley, Jadon Sancho and Tammy Abraham all started and were terrible.

After just 30 minutes of the game, Aston Villa were losing 2-0 at home, Emi Martinez made two great saves and first team players Watkins, and Buendia were already warming up on the sidelines. It was a horrible performance which started with a great Gallagher goal from distance after only 12 minutes. Between the first and the second goal the Spurs had two great chances from Richarlison and Kolo Muani, both saved by Martinez. But the Brazilian didn’t miss twice and his perfect header shocked the home crowd in the 25th minute. It was shocking to watch such a terrible display from Aston Villa and the second half was the same.

Unai Emery sent his first team players to warm-up after only 30 minutes but actually made only one substitution – Ollie Watkins for Tammy Abraham in the 60th minute. To play a striker without a proper backup from midfield is pointless and Watkins couldn’t produce anything since Rogers and Sancho were terrible on the flanks. The second half was as boring as it could. Villa just couldn’t do anything and Tottenham played a waiting game and focused on defending the 2-0 score. Against Aston Villa in this shape, they did it without any problems and Emery now has three defeats in all competition. Buendia's injury time goal didn't change the mood at all. This is not a good prelude to the Europa League rematch with Nottingham Forest.

PREMIER LEAGUE - MATCHDAY 35

Friday

Leeds United - Burnley 3-1 (1-0)

/Stach 8, Okafor 52, Calvert-Lewin 56 - Tchaouna 71/

Saturday

Brentford - West Ham 3-0 (1-0)

/Mavropanos 12 og, Thiago 54 pen, Daamsgard 82/

Newcastle - Brighton 3-1 (2-0)

/Osula 12, Burn 24, Barnes 90+5 - Hinshelwood 61/

Wolves - Sunderland 1-1 (0-1)

/Bueno 54 - Mukiele 17/

Arsenal - Fulham 3-0 (3-0)

/Gyokeres 9, 45+4 Saka 40/

Sunday

Bournemouth - Crystal Palace 3-0 (2-0)

/Lerma 10(og), Kroupi 32(p), Rayan 77/

Man.Utd. - Liverpool 3-2 (2-0)

/Cunha 6, Sesko 14, Mainoo 77 - Szoboszlai 47, Gakpo 56/

Aston Villa - Tottenham 1-2 (0-2)

/Buendia 90+6 -Gallagher 12, Richarlison 25/

Monday

17.00: (1.75) Chelsea (4.20) Nott.Forest (4.60)

22.00: (6.50) Everton (4.80) Man.City (1.50)

***odds are subject to change***