Tottenham vs Aston Villa LIVE: Premier League result and final score as Spurs suffer third straight defeat

As the certainty of Tottenham’s top-four hopes slip from view, Aston Villa’s have never appeared stronger as Unai Emery’s side leapfrogged the hosts in north London. That was the result of a wonderfully open and often chaotic encounter at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as Villa rode their luck and just about managed to cling on their high-wire tightrope to emerge with this statement win, yet one that for long stretches looked to be beyond them.

Tottenham will struggle to come to terms with this but defeat leaves Ange Postecoglou’s side with a third Premier League loss in a row and looking very much like a team in the midst of a major injury crisis. But while the makeshift centre-back partnership of Emerson Royal and Ben Davies were exposed by Ollie Watkins, who fired Villa to a ninth win of the season and to within two points off leaders Arsenal, it was Tottenham’s forwards and host of missed chances that proved just as decisive to the outcome.

Report by Jamie Braidwod at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

Ange Postecoglou, Tottenham manager, speaking to BBC Sport: “I’m disappointed for the fans and the players because their play was outstanding today. The football we played was as good as it’s been all season.

“All you can ask for is that the guys give their all so there’s no frustration, just disappointment that they didn’t get what they deserved.”

On Rodrigo Bentancur’s injury: “I’m disappointed for him because I don’t think it was a great tackle. That’s what we’re going through at the moment but if we keep playing like that we’ll get through it.”

Ollie Watkins, Aston Villa striker, speaking to BBC Sport after the game: “We didn’t have the best of starts and we were lucky to come in at 1-1. That goal right before half-time was a massive boost for us and it was crucial.

“I don’t think there’s been a game where we haven’t created chances. We have a big belief in ourselves. We had plenty of opportunities to score and we came away with the three points, which is massive for us.

“The games are coming thick and fast now but when you’re on a good run, like we are, that’s what you want. I think all the lads are looking forward to it.”

We’ll have more match reaction and a full match report to come but the focus shifts now to Merseyside where Everton take on Manchester United.

Kick-off is just over ten minutes away and you can follow all the match action by clicking the link below:

A well-deserved win for the visitors:

And here’s the winning goal - Watkins’s seventh off the season - which saw Villa claim all three points in north London:

A huge result for Villa! The full-time whistle goes and it’s all three points for the visitors as Watkins’ second-half strike secures a comeback victory for Unai Emery’s side who leapfrog Spurs into fourth place.

That’s now three defeats in a row for Spurs who also had to deal with another injury in the form of Bentancur. After such a promising start to the season, there are problems to be solved now for Postecoglou.

90+5 mins: Another set piece comes and goes for Spurs as Son just can’t connect with the ball at the back post. It’s just not been his day.

90+3 mins: Torres is clumsy into a tackle on Veliz and Spurs have another free-kick in an almost identical position to a few moments ago. It’s a better delivery from Porro but Carlos is strong in the air and clears it away.

90+1 mins: The cross is overhit by Porro and safely dealt with by the Villa defence. There will be six added minutes to end this encounter as Villa make a double change - McGinn and Watkins make way with Duran and Ramsey coming on.