Football Review | Aston Villa 1 - 2 Tottenham Hotspur

Roberto De Zerbi’s attempt to revive Tottenham’s season is gathering pace.

They climbed out of the Premier League relegation zone with an impressive win over Aston Villa

Author | Greg S

Stadium | Villa Park

Defeat for West Ham United at Brentford on Saturday had opened the door, and Spurs took full advantage with what was arguably their most complete display of the campaign.

Spurs building momentum

Despite injuries to forwards Xavi Simons and Dominic Solanke, they carried momentum from last weekend’s victory at Wolverhampton Wanderers, their first league win since 28 December, and produced a commanding first-half performance against their fifth-placed hosts.

Conor Gallagher’s first goal since his January move from Atletico Madrid set the tone, a crisp low strike from 20 yards after 12 minutes rewarding a bright start.

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Joao Palhinha soon struck the post with a swerving effort, but Spurs doubled their lead midway through the half when Richarlison powered a header beyond Emiliano Martínez from Mathys Tel’s cross.

Unai Emery made seven changes to his Aston Villa side following their Europa League semi-final first-leg defeat by Nottingham Forest, clearly with one eye on Thursday’s return, and the lack of cohesion was evident in a subdued performance.

A late header from substitute Emi Buendía, converting Matty Cash’s cross, offered brief hope, but it proved little more than a consolation as Spurs held on for a result that lifts them a point above West Ham with three games remaining.

De Zerbi had demanded all negative thoughts be dismissed

The Italian’s message appeared to have been absorbed, both on the pitch and in the stands, on a night that may yet come to define the club’s season.

Even before kick-off, as the Spurs players emerged for their warm-up, they were met by a wall of noise from a packed away end at Villa Park.

That intensity carried into the performance. From the first whistle, Spurs set about their task with purpose, pressing high and unsettling Emiliano Martínez and his defenders into hurried clearances and moments of uncertainty.

There was a renewed sense of belief about them, a team playing with conviction as they stretched and harried opponents who are pushing for a place in next season’s Champions League.

João Palhinha and Rodrigo Bentancur dictated midfield with a blend of authority and composure, while Richarlison’s relentless work ensured the Villa defence found no respite.

When the hosts did manage to threaten, Micky van de Ven and Kevin Danso stood firm. Emiliano Buendía’s goal, deep into stoppage time, arrived too late to shift the mood or disturb Spurs’ control.

It amounted to a complete display from Roberto De Zerbi’s side in what had looked one of their more treacherous assignments, offering a glimmer of light after a season spent under gathering clouds.