Aston Villa have climbed into the top five after beating Tottenham 2-0, boosting their hopes of returning to the Champions League.
The victory marks Villa’s 32nd win in all competitions this season, setting a new club record for a top-flight campaign.
Unai Emery’s side are guaranteed to spend the weekend in at least fifth place, but they will drop outside the Champions League spots before the final day if Chelsea beat Manchester United in the later kick-off this evening and Manchester City avoid defeat at home to Bournemouth on Tuesday.
Spurs created the first major chance of the game when Mathys Tel played the ball across the box to Wilson Odobert, whose close-range flick was saved by Emi Martinez.
Minutes later, Spurs goalkeeper Antonín Kinský managed to tip the ball around the far post as Amadou Onana curled it into the box in an attempt to find Morgan Rogers.
Marco Asensio went close 10 minutes before the break when he cut onto his left foot and curled an effort towards the far post, missing by inches.
Ezri Konsa broke the deadlock just before the hour mark, helping Ollie Watkins’ header past Kinský from close range.
Watkins had a chance to double the lead moments later, but Ben Davies denied him with a crucial block.
In the 73rd minute, Boubacar Kamara made it 2–0 by firing past Kinský to score his first Premier League goal, doing so in his 69th appearance.
Player ratings
Emi Martinez
Martinez made a smart save to deny Odobert in the 16th minute, reacting well to a close-range flick. That’s now five clean sheets in his last eight league games. 8
Matty Cash
Cash was tested early by Son Heung-min, who looked sharp in the first half. The Villa right-back was booked for appealing for a yellow card after being fouled by Pape Matar Sarr. He maintained his width in the final third, helping to create space inside for others. 8
Ezri Konsa
Konsa was solid defensively throughout, clearing danger with composure before and after forcing a save from Kinský in the 38th minute. He then broke the deadlock in the 58th minute, turning home from close range. A clean sheet and a goal - a standout performance. 9
Pau Torres
Torres returned to the starting XI in place of Tyrone Mings and looked assured throughout. He threaded several progressive passes into advanced areas and benefited from the time and space afforded to him in possession. A composed display from the Spaniard. 8
Ian Maatsen
Maatsen replaced Lucas Digne in the line-up and made a strong impression down the left flank, delivering a number of dangerous crosses. It was his blocked shot that led to Konsa’s goal from the resulting corner. Energetic and effective. 8
Boubacar Kamara
Kamara anchored the midfield alongside Onana with composure and intensity. He was steady in possession and sharp out of it, breaking up play and maintaining structure. His performance was capped with his first Premier League goal - a well-earned reward. 9*
Amadou Onana
Onana covered ground effortlessly and showed his range in possession, playing accurate balls out wide and combining well in tight areas. A strong all-round showing. 8
Morgan Rogers
Rogers operated off the right but struggled to make a significant impact in the final third. However, his defensive contribution shouldn’t go unnoticed - frequently doubling up with Cash to limit Spurs’ threat down their left. 8
Marco Asensio
Asensio was Villa’s primary creative outlet in the first half, nearly opening the scoring in the 36th minute with a curling effort that went just wide. Faded slightly as the game wore on but remained a threat in possession. 8
John McGinn
McGinn replaced the suspended Jacob Ramsey and brought his trademark energy and aggression. He fired over early on and consistently looked to set the tempo, though some teammates didn’t match his intensity in the first period. He helped keep the ball alive in the build-up to Konsa’s goal. 8
Ollie Watkins
Watkins worked tirelessly, stretching the Spurs backline and linking play effectively. While he didn’t see much of the goal in the first half, he had a big chance after Konsa’s opener but was denied by a crucial intervention from Davies, who may have caught more of Watkins' leg than the ball. 8
SUBS
Donyell Malen (for Watkins, 86'): N/A
Ross Barkley (for Onana, 88'): N/A
Leon Bailey (for McGinn, 90'): N/A
Subs not used: Olsen, Disasi, Bogarde, Digne, Garcia, Mings.
GOALS
Aston Villa: Konsa (59'), Kamara (73')
Tottenham: N/A