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Tottenham 2-3 Aston Villa: Late Spurs Fightback Cannot Prevent Another Premier League Defeat

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Tottenham 2-3 Aston Villa: Late Spurs Fightback Cannot Prevent Another Premier League Defeat - Yahoo Sports
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Tottenham Hotspur's late fightback meant nothing as Aston Villa secured a 3-2 victory at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday lunchtime; the defeat now extends Spurs' winless start to the Premier League season.

Roberto De Zerbi's side produced encouraging football early in the game and, as in the Everton fixture, were the much better side for the opening 30 minutes,,when they could have scored. Spurs played with greater intensity, moved the ball quickly and created several opportunities, but Villa goalkeeper Zion Suzuki repeatedly denied the hosts.

That failure to convert their chances once again proved costly, with Villa surviving Tottenham's early pressure before taking the lead during first-half stoppage time through Johan Manzambi. The summer signing marked his debut by finishing a Villa attack while Micky van de Ven was being treated for a facial injury.

Tottenham briefly appeared to level the score after the restart when Mohammed Kudus converted Andy Robertson's cross. However, celebrations were cut short when a VAR review showed the Scotland National team captain was offside.

After going ahead, Villa dealt with Spurs attack with robust defending and Nicolas Jackson doubled the visitors' advantage in the 67th minute, holding off Jan Paul van Hecke before producing a composed finish beyond Kinsky.

Any realistic hope of a Tottenham recovery appeared to disappear when Emiliano Buendía made it 3-0 with 11 minutes of normal time remaining. The Villa midfielder was afforded too much space outside the penalty area and punished Spurs with an outstanding long-range strike.

Conor Gallagher, a late second-half substitute, finally ended the club's Premier League scoring drought in the 86th minute, turning home after Villa failed to clear their lines properly. Van Hecke then headed in Tottenham's second to reduce the deficit further and set up a frantic conclusion.

Spurs pushed for an unlikely equaliser, but Villa survived the remaining moments to secure their first league victory of the season. The final whistle was met with frustration around the stadium as another promising spell of football ended without reward.

There were positives within the performance, particularly Tottenham's energetic opening. Much like against Everton, they created several chances to almost have the game out of sight in the first half, but Tottenham are struggling to convert, which allows teams back in.

Spurs were wasteful when they controlled the contest, vulnerable when Villa attacked and ultimately left themselves with too much to do. Scoring twice will provide some relief after their recent struggles in front of goal, but the defensive errors and inability to sustain their early level remain serious concerns.

The result leaves Tottenham inside the relegation places with two points from their opening five league matches. De Zerbi now enters the international break under growing pressure.

Spurs (4-2-3-1): Kinsky, Pedro Porro (Gray 19), van de Ven (c), van Hecke, Robertson, Tonali (Gallagher 84), Bentancur (Bergvall 84), Savio, M Fernandes (Kudus 46), Marmoush, Solanke (Maddison 66). Substitutes (not used): Dubravka, Senesi, Tosin, Udogie.

Extended HLs: Tottenham Hotspur v. Aston Villa

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Watch extended highlights from Tottenham Hotspur's matchup with Aston Villa in Matchweek 5 of the Premier League.

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So four games into the Premier League season, and Tottenham Hotspur still await their first goal.

Consecutive scoreless draws have steadied the ship a little, and today they face another team struggling for goals in Aston Villa.

Villa have won on four of their last five visits to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

So Tottenham, Europa League winners just 16 months ago, Villa, Champions League quarterfinalists two seasons ago, and yet they meet today whilst both in the Premier League's bottom four.

Traditional colors for both.

Significant absentees on both sides, too.

Viets.

Porro.

And lived along for cross in front of Solanke.

It's a corner.

Porro looking for Marmousset.

Was there a nudge from Wan-Bissaka?

If you're of a Spurs persuasion, of course you think that there was.

The officials led by Sam Barrett say no, but VAR will scrutinize further.

Meanwhile, here's Tonali.

And Solanke and Savio.

And again, Savio.

Twice denied by- For Aston Villa, it's absolutely crazy how they give this ball away, and then not to clear that there is so poor.

Second bite at the cherry for Savio, and a good save in the end, but it's almost Villa gifting Spurs an opportunity.

Bentancur.

One way and then the other.

Opted for Savio.

Archie Gray's first touch nearly brings a goal.

Oh, a super run.

Really clever the way he stays on-- so outside here.

Look, just bends that run like a center forward, really, inside the field from the full-back position, and that's on target.

It's a decent save this from Suzuki, just manages to catch it with that inside left heel.

Corner on its way, also requires the goalkeeper.

Savio.

That's a good job Suzuki was at the races here.

'Cause that's a good save through bodies.

He wouldn't have been particularly well-sighted.

Look, you can see from that angle, doesn't get a lot of the ball.

He really has to adjust to see it, and then- Breaks for Mateus Fernandes of Spurs.

Andy Robertson.

Oh, awkward.

Mings with a back pass to a goalkeeper who had already advanced.

And refereeing decisions, I suppose.

Jackson.

Buendia.

First genuine sight of the Spurs goal for Villa.

Well, Villa's best chance of the game by a mile.

They've really not had a lot to go on, but this one pops into the path of Buendia.

Has to take it quite early.

Tonali.

Both teams with similar kind of feel and maybe a little bit lack of confidence between them both.

Buendia.

Jackson.

Good spin by Jackson.

Van Hecke.

Marmousset was first to show.

Oh, he's better than that.

Robertson, Tonali again.

It is a corner.

That's a horrible bouncer.

Suzuki throwing himself to his left.

I mean, he just hits that with so much top spin, look.

Bouncing up off the turf.

I Does that touch anyone?

Again, Savio.

Picked on by Rogi.

Solanke had the effort.

They're appealing for hands.

Would Whilst the VAR completes a check on that and says nothing further ado.

Yeah, do you think the, the fact that Wan-Bissaka's arm, he's outstretched from his body, no doubt, but it's such close proximity in a natural position if you're jumping.

Buendia.

And Robertson prevents the corner, but presents it to McGinn.

Boubacar Kamara, and Mbanza turns it in.

And at a time when Spurs are a man down, their captain off the field receiving treatment, Johan Mbanza marks his first Premier League start with a goal for Aston Villa.

Well, I suppose as a defender, and Andy Robertson here, who the spotlight is on him for this goal, the big question is, do you just allow that to go out and reset for a corner kick, or do you try and keep this ball in?

I think that's, that's the call.

It's going out of play.

Are you doing more harm than good by trying to save that corner?

Well, the answer is yes, because it's ended in a goal, unfortunately for Andy Robertson And it is a dangerous situation to give that ball away.

I mean, it's a bit of a miscued shot there, but look at the position of Manzambi, right in the middle of the goal, spot on, good instinct, just to drop in there.

You never know where the ball's gonna fall.

And it- Too high from Tonali there.

No one, any chance of getting a little touch or flick on that.

Easy pickings.

Johan Manzambi.

It's Nicholas Jackson who got there first.

Caught Kinsky flush in the face, though, that effort.

Savio.

And Suzuki taking charge.

Telegraphed pass seized upon by Rogi.

Manzambi isn't at all marked, and the ball is aimed towards him and is cut out by Bentancur.

Yeah, not for the first time he's had to come to the rescue and just defensively snub something out.

Tonali.

Andy Robertson.

Kudus!

Hold the back page.

Do not adjust your set.

Tottenham Hotspur have finally scored a goal.

Spurs score a 63rd minute goal.

This is Kudus.

There's Andy Robertson at the center of this goal again.

Is it offside?

Well, off that evident- evidence, I'd have to say yes.

This is gonna be a very, very tight call, but it's a brilliant run from him.

John McGinn just gets caught napping, and he'd be really disappointed that he's got the wrong side of him.

And Kudus on the move to finish it, but I have a big suspicion, John, as it's being looked at by VAR, that this is gonna be called out.

Yeah, you heard the gasp around the stadium as the VAR symbol went up on the screen.

That outpouring of sheer relief at Spurs apparently having scored a goal, but guess what?

They haven't.

I mean, you can't believe it.

It's cruel, isn't it?

It's cruel around VAR at times, but when you think that that is off your back, and you've got that goal on the board, but you can see when that is slowed down, he's clearly half a yard, he's just edging the wrong side of McGinn, Andy Robertson.

From directing operations from the technical area below us.

It is Robertson.

Van Hecke was arrowing in behind Sian Suzuki.

They've been a little bit patchy with opportunities created here and there without any real clear picture.

Oh, Jackson.

And again, Jackson.

And Kinsky's hand is not strong enough.

And at his favorite Premier League ground, Jackson scores once again.

And it's looking ever more likely that Tottenham Hotspur will spend the international break mired in the relegation zone.

Well, he has been a threat all game, Nicholas Jackson.

I have to say, he's not had masses of service, but what he has had, he's really produced situations, moments.

He's asked the question of Van Hecke and Van de Ven.

And for me, deservedly, gets on the score sheet here.

I mean, it's just very passive defending.

Nobody dealing with it.

Van Hecke initially, far too easy, drops off too much.

This here from Van de Ven, his body shape.

He's in the wrong position.

He's not gonna get it.

And that's a really tidy finish.

He hits it down into the ground.

It's angled towards the corner.

It's tough for Kinsky.

The fingertips are there, but it's not enough, and it's in the back of the net.

And the mood in this stadium has absolutely gone.

And so have some of the spectators now heading for the exits.

Savio through the legs.

Robertson.

Flag's up.

Well, that's a similar scenario to the goal that was disallowed, except it was miles offside this time.

Michel Gomez.

McGinn.

Buenda!

Well, he scored on both occasions that he played here last season.

So the completion of a hat trick of sorts, certainly the cue for a mass exodus from Tottenham's desperately disappointed supporters.

It is going from bad to worse for Spurs, and maybe this is the display that kick-starts Villa's season.

Well, what a brilliant goal, and honestly, defensively, I, I've been so disappointed with Tottenham, and this goal's just a key indicator.

It's just far too easy.

Brilliant goal.

Super hit from a player that we know is capable.

Look at the dip he gets on that.

Beautiful strike.

Bit of a knuckle ball, so he's got that swerve and- Dip past Kinski, but look at the pressure here.

Maddison, that's, that's, that for me is not acceptable.

You've got to get out to that ball.

You've got to be closer.

You're turning your back on it.

It's far too easy for Buendia just to pick his spot.

Unai Emery, that celebration there, he knows how big a game this is for Villa.

But from a Spurs perspective, I'm not surprised to see the supporters leaving at this moment in time.

And he, he's got some questions to answer, really.

There's obviously been a feeling that he was going to leave the club.

I think there's been a desire for him to go for a while, hasn't there?

But last season, he proved to be relatively useful for Tottenham.

Yeah.

Marmoush, Kudus trying to give Lindelof the slip.

And finally, there is a goal for Tottenham Hotspur.

Conor Gallagher inscribes his name against it.

It is now autumn.

There is a bemused look on De Zerbi's face.

The goal is going to be academic, but they have finally broken their duck.

Yeah, far more muted celebration than what you'd expect for them having broken that duck of scoring this season.

It's all just about the sharpness of Kudus, really.

Lovely little bit of footwork, kind of flip-flap with the ball.

Gets around the outside of a little bit of a tired Lindelof who can't quite get there.

And Gallagher's arriving in that place where you would always see him as that advanced midfield player.

It's such a lull for 25 minutes in this second half.

Robertson.

And the header was actually a very good effort from Micky van de Ven, arching his neck muscles to try and get it on target.

Suzuki with the big dive to the right-hand side and then just withdraws his hand at the last minute.

Robertson.

And Van Hecke coming in.

Surely too late to influence the final outcome.

Well, Aston Villa will be absolutely fuming with this goal.

It's a dead ball.

I mean, look at the reaction from Tyrone Mings.

He's not happy at all.

They're not set up correctly.

Too many overloaded players like Van Hecke in behind the bulk of the defence.

And it's just quite a simple drifted ball to the back post and Van Hecke's there to nod it home.

And it was the final act of the game.

Well, reports this week that maybe Spurs were showing some encouraging signs.

Hope again dashed for Spurs fans today.

Booed off at half-time, some boos there at full-time as well, despite coming back from 3-0 down to score a couple of goals.

They have at least broken that duck.

The most Tottenham coded winger looks destined for another Premier League giant

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Roberto De Zerbi has tackled a lot of the stigma against Tottenham Hotspur as a club this summer transfer window, proving that this organization is ready and willing to spend on established starters who can elevate the team without making excuses. They spent upwards of 50 million pounds on De Zerbi's favorite center back, Jan Paul van Hecke, despite the Dutchman having one year left on his contract. And they spent a combined 185 million pounds on the two most coveted Premier League defensive midfield targets in Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes.

But there is one very important hurdle Tottenham still need to clear, and that is signing a forward valued at more than 100 million pounds who can bring goals and is desired by other elite clubs in European football.

Tottenham have never done that. They broke their transfer record for a new striker after Harry Kane's departure to German giants Bayern Munich, except that was only a 65 million pound fee for the underwhelming Dominic Solanke - and obviously Spurs are still looking for a new 9. Their replacement for Son Heung-min on the left wing last summer? They literally signed nobody after he left.

Bradley Barcola is going to be a big missed opportunity

PSG star Bradley Barcola is all but certain to leave the Ligue 1 giants this summer transfer window. He literally told the Qatari owners that he wants out, and with the signing of Mika Godts from Ajax, Barcola is a step away from leaving the back to back Champions League winners after a solid 2026 World Cup with France.

The thing is, Tottenham Hotspur are nowhere near the transfer race despite Barcola being exactly what they need on the left wing. A Spurs winger needs to be explosive, lightening in a bottle, and, in 2026, capable of scoring goals from nothing. Barcola is exactly that, going on mazy solo runs that are likely to end in chaos - or goals.

Liverpool, however, are by far the favorites to sign the player PSG are hoping to sell for well above 100 million pounds after watching former Tottenham dream target Morgan Rogers go for 117 million pounds to rivals Chelsea - and everyone knows Barcola has more upside and is the superior player right now.

As Liverpool make their approach for the 23 year old left winger, Tottenham are still busy trying to make any sort of progress on Savinho, and the only inverted left winger credibly linked to them is Cody Gakpo - the very player Liverpool are trying to replace with Bradley Barcola because he lacks the oomph they sorely missed from Harry Kane's new Bayern friend Luis Diaz. You know, the sort of oomph that typifies the wingers Tottenham usually go for.

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