Tottenham vs Aston Villa LIVE: Premier League result and final score as Spurs suffer third straight defeat
Tottenham 1-2 Aston Villa: Ollie Watkins scored the winner as the visitors came from behind to leapfrog the hosts into fourth place
Tottenham slipped to a third successive Premier League defeat as they were beaten 2-1 at home by Aston Villa in an absorbing clash full of chances.
Villa’s first win on the road in just over two months took them above Tottenham into fourth place in the table but it did not look likely early on.
The hosts were given a deserved lead by Giovani Lo Celso’s deflected shot in the 22nd minute and could have been comfortably ahead before Pau Torres levelled with a thumping header deep in first-half stoppage time.
Chances continued to flow both ways after the break but it was Villa who went ahead with a fine finish by Ollie Watkins just past the hour mark after being set up by Youri Tielemans.
Villa keeper Emiliano Martinez made two great saves, Ben Davies headed a golden chance over the bar and Pedro Porro hit the post for the luckless hosts who also suffered another injury blow as Rodrigo Bentancur limped off in the first half.
Follow all the action below plus get the latest odds and tips for the match right here:
Tottenham 0-0 Aston Villa
3 mins: Two huge chances early for Spurs - how are they not ahead? Initially, it’s Udogie who gets in behind the high line of Villa to receive Porro’s ball from deep but he blazes over the bar.
But then, moments later, Kulusevski gets in a great position - cutting inside of his marker - but rattles the inside of the post from close range. He has to do better there.
KICK-OFF! Tottenham 0-0 Aston Villa
The tributes to Venables are touching one as applause rings around the ground. With that done, though, it’s time for this game to get underway as Aston Villa kick us off.
Tottenham vs Aston Villa
Out come the teams now. A reminder that we’ll have a minute’s silence before kick-off in memory of former England and Spurs manager Terry Venables who died earlier today aged 80.
Kick-off coming up
We’ve got just under ten minutes to go and the atmosphere is building nicely in north London. It’s a huge opportunity for both sides to secure a statement win and it’s coming up very shortly...
Tottenham vs Aston Villa
Son Heung-min has scored five goals in six Premier League appearances against Aston Villa. However, all of those strikes have come at Villa Park – only Michael Owen has scored more against an opponent without netting one at home (6 vs West Bromwich Albion).
The South Korean has eight in 12 league games so far this season. Can he find his first at home against Villa today to add to that tally?
Tottenham vs Aston Villa
Just to put into perspective what a great run of form Aston Villa have been on, since the end of this season’s first international break (16th September onwards), Villa have won more games (6) and picked up more points (19) than any other side in the division.
They’ll be hoping to keep that run going today.
Villa looking for three on the trot
Aston Villa did the double over Spurs last season, with an impressive 2-0 away win in January before a 2-1 home win in May.
Can they make it three on the bounce and move into the top four?
How the Farhad Moshiri era left Everton languishing on the brink of ruin
Later on today, Everton host Manchester United in their first fixture since their ten-point deduction. Manager Sean Dyche said he was ‘shocked’ by the ‘unjust’ ruling but said his focus is on the pitch. But it’s difficult to ignore what the deduction represents - not only a blow to their survival hopes but another signal of the failure of the Farhad Moshiri era on Merseyside.
For more, read Richard Jolly’s in-depth piece below:
How the Farhad Moshiri era left Everton languishing on the brink of ruin
The British-Iranian businessman has invested a lot of money into the club but the mismanagement of finances has left the Toffees in a precarious position
Both clubs pay tribute to former England manager Terry Venables
Postecoglou full of praise for Emery
Today will represent the first time that Postecoglou and Emery will do battle against each other from the dugouts. Both managers have presided over superb turnarounds for their respective teams, with the Australian full of praise for the job that his Spanish counterpart has done at Villa.
“I haven’t come across him, but I have been a great admirer of his coaching,” Postecoglou said.
“He came over here and the experience (with Arsenal) didn’t deter him in any way. He didn’t lose any belief in who he is as a manager. He has turned Villa around very, very quickly and you have got to remember what position they were in.
“I have looked at his teams and they have always been very well organised and structured, with a clear identity. And he has transferred that across three different countries. He is a quality manager.”
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