John Townley's Aston Villa player ratings as 3s and 4s awarded after woeful 2-1 Tottenham defeat
John Townley's Aston Villa player ratings after Unai Emery's side are defeated by Tottenham in the Premier League
Aston Villa were booed off by their own fans after slumping to a 2-1 home defeat against relegation-threatened Tottenham Hotspur.
Villa conceded twice in the first half, with Conor Gallagher opening the scoring with a long-range strike before Richarlison doubled Spurs’ lead before the half-hour mark. Emi Buendia halved the deficit late on, heading past Antonin Kinsky.
It is the first time Villa have lost three matches in a row since November 2024, following defeats to Nottingham Forest and Fulham.
Unai Emery made seven changes to the side that lost 1-0 to Nottingham Forest in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final, with only Emi Martinez, Matty Cash, Youri Tielemans and Morgan Rogers retaining their places. John McGinn was not risked due to a tight muscle.
Tottenham started brightly and should have scored inside the opening minutes when Maritnez's pass to Ross Barkley was intercepted inside the box, with only timely interventions from Tielemans and Victor Lindelof preventing Richarlison from finishing.
Ten minutes later, Gallagher was afforded space outside the area and fired a low shot through a crowded box into the corner to give Spurs a deserved lead.
Martinez was then forced into action again, tipping Joao Palhinha’s effort onto the post, before denying Randal Kolo Muani at the back post. However, Villa failed to heed the warnings.
In the 24th minute, Spurs doubled their advantage when Mathys Tel’s cross was headed home from close range by Richarlison.
Boos rang out around Villa Park at half-time following a dismal first-half display, though Emery opted against making any changes at the interval.
Ollie Watkins was the first Villa played substituted into the game in the 60th minute, but he hardly got a kick.
Buendia headed in Matty Cash's cross late on in the fifth minute of added time, but it was too little too late for Emery's side.
With three matches remaining this league season, Villa sit six points ahead off sixth-placed Bournemouth, ahead of a trip to Burnley next weekend.
Before travelling to Turf Moor, Villa play the second leg of their Europa League semi-final against Nottingham Forest at Villa Park on Thursday.
Player ratings
Emi Martinez
Martinez gifted Tottenham an early chance by playing a poor pass inside the box. He was beaten from range by Gallagher, but did make an impressive save to tip Palhinha's effort onto the post. 4
Matty Cash
Came up against a sharp Tel, who played well for Spurs today. Cash wasn't goal-side when Richarlison headed the Frenchman's cross in for 2-0. Assisted Buendia's goal late on. 4
Victor Lindelof
Lindelof came back into the team and started for the eighth time this league season. He won his duels, but nobody comes out of the game with much credit. 4
Tyrone Mings
Mings wasn't alone in having a difficult night and was jeered when he didn't play forward passes. Headed Leon Bailey's corner over the bar late on. 4
Ian Maatsen
Maatsen didn't have much of an opportunity to get forward, which is an issue because he's not in the team for his defensive game. 4
Lamare Bogarde
Bogarde, like his teammates, wasn't at the level required. He and Tielemans should have both been out to Gallagher to stop him from lashing in. 3
Youri Tielemans
Tielemans made a key intervention early on, just about nipping in to stop Richarlison striking the ball cleanly from close range. Not one of his best games aside from that. 4
Jadon Sancho
Sancho didn't threaten Spurs on the flank. 3
Ross Barkley
Barkley made his fifth start in six league games tonight. He had a limited influence, however. 3
Morgan Rogers
Rogers struggled to get his touch right and was frustrated by Tottenham throughout. Villa need so much more from him in these big games. 3
Tammy Abraham
Abraham cut a frustrated figure. He lost sight of the ball when Gallagher took it down and scored under no pressure. Taken off after 60 minutes. 3
SUBS
Ollie Watkins (for Abraham, 60'): Watkins added some energy at the top of the pitch. 4
Leon Bailey (for Sancho, 85'): N/A
Emi Buendia (for Barkley, 85'): Flicked a header past Kinsky with what was one of the last touches in the game. 6
Subs not used: Bizot, Konsa, Digne, Torres, Garcia, Luiz.
GOALS
Aston Villa: N/A
Tottenham: Gallagher (13'), Richarlison (25')