The Sun

PEDRO PORRO gives the credit to “magnificent” Ruben Amorim as the man who helped his football “explode”.

Now the Spanish defender will hope to fire one of his trademark rockets to win Tottenham their first trophy in 17 years — and blow his old gaffer’s season to smithereens.

Porro’s Spurs take on Amorim’s Manchester United in Wednesday’s Europa League final in Bilbao.

It represents the last chance for both sides to save their dismal campaigns after failing to ignite in the league all season long.

United chief Amorim and his opposite number Ange Postecoglou have been lambasted after plummeting to 16th and 17th in the Prem respectively.

Yet Porro is sure of Amorim’s quality, having had his game transformed by the Portuguese manager while playing under him for Sporting prior to his £37.3million switch to Spurs.

The right-back, 25, said: “I worked with him for three years and he’s a magnificent coach.

“I know him very well. It’s the way he treats the players, he always spoke to me as a person, it’s not just how he treated me from a football perspective.

"The way he works on the pitch is also very good but in this case, I hope I come out as the happy one.”

Amorim signed Porro from Manchester City for Sporting in 2020, initially on loan, before making the switch permanent for £7.2m in May 2022.

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The former Girona ace was initially brought in as a winger and struggled at the start with a high number of muscle injuries.

But Amorim converted him into an explosive right wing-back in his 3-4-3 system which had so much success in Portugal in contrast to how it has fared in England so far.

Porro ended up with 12 goals in 98 Sporting games — including a howitzer from distance in a 2-0 win at Boavista in 2021 — before his switch to North London in January 2023.

Porro added: “When I arrived at Sporting, it was a little bit difficult for me. But like everything in football, sometimes it’s hard at first, right?

“Things in life don’t always go the way you want them to but when I got there, the truth is I had a lot of help from him and at that moment my football exploded.

“To be honest, I’m really grateful to him for that.”

Porro had a tricky start in N17 too but has developed into a key player for Spurs boss Postecoglou.

His 11 goals in 103 games have also included some long-range scorchers, such as last season’s belter against Burnley in the FA Cup.

Postecoglou has overseen a nightmare league campaign including a record 21 defeats which means there is a strong chance he leaves the club even if he wins the Europa League.

Yet the Aussie boasts an amazing record when playing final opponents Man Utd, winning four and drawing the other of his five matches against them.

That includes a hat-trick of victories this term already.

Man Utd vs Spurs - Europa League final: Kick-off time, TV channel and live stream info for Bilbao clash

Though United, on the other hand, have far more experience in major finals, even during their recent years in the doldrums.

Just last year, the Red Devils won the FA Cup and the season before that, then-boss Erik ten Hag clinched the Carabao Cup, too.

Porro certainly will not be underestimating United and pointed to their unbeaten record in Europe this term as a reason why Tottenham must be fearful of Amorim’s men.

The eight-cap Spain star said: “I don’t think they’ve lost in the Europa League.

“They’re a very good team, with a very good coach. In the end, they haven’t had the luck in the Premier League, it’s like us, isn’t it?

“But we’re two teams that know how to deliver and it’s going to be a very beautiful final.

“I hope we’re the happy ones at the end.

“We know every game is different, especially a final, where anything can happen.

“It would be a dream to win it because, as we already know when I arrived here, we knew it had been a long time since we had won a trophy here.

“And for me personally it would be a story of faith, something I dreamt of ever since I was little.

“It’s my first European final and everyone in the world would have motivation for that.”

THE position of Bruno Fernandes against a depleted Tottenham midfield is the key to Manchester United winning the Europa League.

It is an all-English final in Bilbao on Wednesday as both sides look to save themselves from the consequences of a disastrous season.

Ruben Amorim's spell at United has been incredibly poor and his side are far from settled in his 3-4-3 system.

But if the Red Devils get it tactically right, they can carve apart a Spurs team without injured trio James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski and Lucas Bergvall in midfield.

Where should Bruno Fernandes play?

Amorim has a conundrum - whether to play his skipper in one of the No10 positions or deeper in his midfield two.

United must trust Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte in the final so Fernandes can be used in a free role further up the pitch.

When he has played as one of the No10s, he is expected to run in-behind and stretch defences.

But this does not suit his game and, against Micky van de Ven, is a waste of time.

Amorim must ditch that and let his most complete player have freedom, drifting out the structure to give Spurs a headache.

Ange Postecoglou wants his team to press aggressively and get high on United when they have possession deep.

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But letting Fernandes float into a "normal" central No10 position will force Spurs to pull one of their midfielders back to deal with him or they will have a 3 vs 2.

And a pass should be on when Spurs attack down their left as they like to do with Destiny Udogie.

Fernandes must not get sucked into chasing the ball and instead pull into a pocket to quickly switch the attack as Tottenham overload the left.

If United's captain plays as one of the midfield two, they will be pressed relentlessly and struggle to get out.

They will have no player beyond the ball with the intelligence to drop into areas to receive it, plus his lack of creativity in the final third will hurt.

Going direct is not an option as Rasmus Hojlund does not hold it up well enough.

Going over the top to the speedy Alejandro Garnacho cannot be done, as again, Van de Ven will have an easy night.

Should Amad play wing-back?

Amad Diallo can be Amorim's wing-back long-term but not on Wednesday night.

Spurs full-backs drift inside to allow for the centre-backs to then fire passes out to the wingers.

Due to this, Amad risks being forced into doing an awful lot of tracking runs and one vs one defending, which are not his strengths.

Spurs work the ball forward with interchanges and overloads down the channels.

And to combat this, it is a safer bet to start with Noussair Mazraoui and Patrick Dorgu as the wing-backs.

Amad can be an impact sub later in the game when players begin to tire and he can use his pace to burst forward.

Can Man Utd play through the Spurs press?

It is unpopular but Postecoglou has changed this season, especially away in Europe with more measured, less gung-ho performances to counter-balance opponents.

And they need to be wary of United using their left flank to expose Spurs.

United like to circulate the ball in a W shape with the midfield two with the centre-backs so the wing-backs push high.

Balls between the lines into a free role Fernandes will cause issues and they will target right-winger Brennan Johnson to get out.

He does not read the game well enough, not cutting out passing lanes and pressing at the wrong moments.

Away from passes into Fernandes' feet, zipped ones to the wing-back Dorgu will cause problems for Spurs as right-back Pedro Porro will be reluctant to press him and leave Fernandes open behind him.

How Spurs can win

Without Maddison, Kulusevski and Bergvall, it is likely to be a defensive and physical trio from Tottenham in midfield.

Instead of the usual 4-2-3-1, Postecoglou should implement a more standard 4-3-3.

An extra man in midfield will allow them to press United's midfield two and help them combat Fernandes' drifting in the free role as they have one more player in there.

Spurs will get Udogie and Porro involved in attack and look to pin United's wing-backs in a back five rather than a three.

It will mean there are spaces in the pockets for Spurs to work the ball into areas to create.

But not having Maddison or Kulusevski in these spaces is a real blow as they can produce the killer pass.

But Spurs could suffocate United with their press and there is no easy out ball with Hojlund unlikely to win a duel or race against Van de Ven or Cristian Romero.

Check out the SunSport YouTube channel on Wednesday night for a LIVE watch-a-long.

GARY LINEKER, Alan Shearer and Micah Richards shared their predictions ahead of the Europa League final between Manchester United and Tottenham.

United and Spurs lock horns on Wednesday at San Mames with both teams in desperate need to win the trophy as it is their only hope of qualifying for next season's Champions League.

The two Premier League giants have endured a horrid campaign that will see them finishing in the bottom half of the table and thus the loser will miss out on European football altogether next term.

That is why Shearer, 54, dubbed both Man Utd and the North Londoners as "rancid" and "rotten" in his most recent appearance on The Rest is Football with Lineker, 64, and Richards, 36.

The Newcastle legend said: “They have been rotten in the Premier League. Rancid and rotten - rancidly rotten the both of them and one of them will be playing Champions League football next season."

Nevertheless, Shearer still predicted an entertaining encounter filled with goals that will go to penalties with Tottenham ending their 17-year run without a trophy.

The legendary striker added: "My prediction is going to be 2-2 or 3-3 after extra-time and Spurs to win on penalties."

Tottenham legend Lineker agreed with his fellow Match of the Day icon and also isn't ruling out extra-time.

The England icon replied: “Oh, he’s gone full on there, sounds like a World Cup final. I’m going to have to go for Spurs, I couldn’t not."

Shearer responded: “After 90 minutes?”

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Lineker said: “Well, I’ve got this feeling that it’s the teams that have not won for ages this year.

“And I think they’re going to, I don’t know about 90 minutes or, I think it could easily go to extra-time.”

Richards was the only one that backed United to lift the Europa League and finally lift the gloom at Old Trafford following their worst ever Premier League season.

In fact, the Manchester City hero expects Man Utd to win 1-0 with Casemiro's winner following an assist by Bruno Fernandes.

Richards predicted: “I’m going to say, I think a lot of people have laughed off Casemiro or laughed at him for a while now.

“But I think in these competitions, sometimes it goes down to set pieces. So I’m going to say Bruno assist for a Casemiro goal, 1-0.”

TONY PARKS’ penalty save against Anderlecht is an iconic Tottenham image.

Plunging to his right and haring off around White Hart Lane with both arms raised to be engulfed by Spurs team-mates.

Yet while he will always be associated with the 1984 Uefa Cup final shootout, he admits it was too much to soon.

Parks was just 21 when he denied Arnor Gudjohnsen - father of future Chelsea, Bolton and Spurs attacker Eidur - to win Tottenham’s third European trophy for Keith Burkinshaw’s side.

Their fourth can arrive 41 years on if Ange Postecoglou’s side manage to beat Manchester United in Bilbao on Wednesday.

Yet even if it goes to penalties again and Gugliemo Vicario repeats Parks’ heroics, it is hard to see it having the same impact.

Parks - only in the team with Ray Clemence deemed unfit - recalled: "I’d saved the first penalty, from Morten Olsen, and gone left on them all.

"Danny Thomas had the chance to win it for us but he missed. He was gutted but the whole crowd started singing his name. I’d never seen that before.

"When Gudjohnsen stepped up, I thought I had to do something different and dive the other way.

"He didn’t hit it very well, I made the save, I got up and just started running.

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"I knew my mum and dad were in the crowd and I ran towards where they were. If the gates had been open, I’d have been at Seven Sisters 20 minutes later."

It should have been lift-off for Parks’ career. Instead, it was a turning point for all the wrong reasons.

Parks told The Spurs Show podcast: "The drama of it was amazing. I remember watching it back.

"But, for me, it was too much, too early. I thought that was it, that it was going to happen every year.

"That’s kind of how you think when you’re a kid, isn’t it? But I played the rebel a little bit.

"I did everything wrong that I could do wrong."

Not that he could be blamed initially. Parks added: "Every pub I walked in for about six weeks was free beer.

"Honestly, I’d walk into any place and whatever I wanted was free.

"I remember going out for a meal. Rod Stewart was in the restaurant and apparently thought I’d only saved one penalty; his friends said it was two.

"So the waiter came over and said, ‘I’d like to know how many penalties you saved’.

"I said, ‘Two’ and he said, ‘Would you like a bottle of wine from Rod Stewart?’

"It was all amazing. But if you’re weak in the head, like I was, they tip you over the edge.

"You have to be stronger than that to be a professional athlete.

"Instead, I got arrested for drinking and driving, came back for pre-season with an injury.

"Ray made sure that when he came back, he was 100 per cent fit and focused, ready to go — while I’d lived the life of a kid."

We’d be in the pub or down the snooker hall by 12. It was ‘win or lose, on the booze; if we draw, we’ll have some more’. It was crazy.

Tony Parks

Parks stayed on Spurs’ books for another four seasons but only made 19 more appearances before going to Brentford.

His career took him to a total of 14 clubs including West Ham and Falkirk in Scotland.

But he concedes it was never quite the same.

Parks recalled: "As a youth-team player getting into the first team, my contract was up at the end of that season.

"I actually didn’t get a new contract until after the game, so the money I was on wasn’t great.

"But if you’re in the first team, you’re getting appearance money, you’re getting bonuses and at 21 that was money to blow your brains out really.

"Nowadays players get to the training ground at 7am and are still there at 4pm or 5pm.

"But we’d be in the pub or down the snooker hall by 12. It was ‘win or lose, on the booze; if we draw, we’ll have some more’. It was absolutely crazy.

"It didn’t matter what age you were, it was, ‘You’re coming’. If Steve Perryman tells you you’re coming, you’re coming.

"Keith was a brilliant manager who gave young players a chance and if he had stayed it may have been different for me.

"But he’d had a big fall-out with the chairman, Irving Scholar, and was going at the end of the season.

"I didn’t really like working for David Pleat or Terry Venables after that. It wasn’t their fault — it was all my fault.

"Venables eventually got rid of me. It’s not until you leave a club like Tottenham you realise, ‘S*** — what have I done?’

"I get called a legend but I don’t see that, I really don’t.

"For me, goalkeeping legends of the football club are Pat Jennings and Ray Clemence. They’re my idols, my Tottenham legends.

"Looking back to the final, it was a magical night, brilliant.

"When we got the trophy, a Uefa guy gave me a replica of the trophy. I thought it was the man-of-the-match prize and put it in my bag in the dressing room.

"But Irving Scholar came in, sat in a wheelchair as he’d broken his leg. No one wanted him there, he was firing our boss.

"But he wanted to know where the trophy was and took it out of my bag - that was the replica the club could keep!

"We stayed for hours celebrating and stood on the roof next to the car park. There were still thousands of fans there waiting for us. I will never forget that."

FABIO PARATICI’S return to Tottenham is set to be confirmed as the Italian looks to line up Ange Postecoglou’s successor.

Spurs boss Postecoglou is expected to leave the club this summer regardless of whether he wins Wednesday’s Europa League final against Manchester United or not.

Italian Paratici, 52, was Spurs’ managing director of football between 2021-23.

But he was forced to resign in April 2023 after being hit with a two-and-a-half-year worldwide ban by Fifa due to financial malpractice at previous club Juventus.

That suspension ends at the end of next month, freeing him up to come back to his role at Spurs.

Paratici will have an influence on who Tottenham go for next in the dugout provided there is no emotional U-turn on Postecoglou if he is triumphant in Europe.

That is not expected to happen given the team’s disastrous league campaign.

Spurs have racked up a record 21 defeats and are languishing in 17th place.

Paratici is understood to have close ties to Simone Inzaghi.

But the Inter Milan chief is set to stick with the Champions League finalists next season.

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Paratici is also tight with Massimiliano Allegri, but the former Juve boss does not speak English and is believed NOT to favour a move abroad.

One Italian who is in the frame is Francesco Farioli.

Last weekend Farioli saw his Ajax side miss out on the Eredivisie title on the final day despite beating FC Twente 2-0.

The 36-year-old is a former disciple of ex-Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi.

He is highly-regarded for his work on a shoestring budget at Nice and returning Ajax to the Champions League.

Fulham gaffer Marco Silva, Andoni Iraola of Bournemouth and Crystal Palace's Oliver Glasner remain on Spurs’ list of candidates.

ROY KEANE predicted the winner of the all-English Europa League final between Manchester United and Tottenham.

United and Spurs lock horns on Wednesday in Bilbao with both teams in dire need of Champions League qualification as they are set to finish in the bottom half of the Premier League.

And Man Utd legend Keane, 53, believes his former club will "edge it" thanks to their history and the quality of Bruno Fernandes.

The Sky Sports pundit admits "there’s not much between" the two finalists, despite Tottenham beating the Red Devils twice in the Prem and eliminating them from the Carabao Cup quarter-finals this season.

However, the iconic midfielder is confident in United's heavy legacy and the fact they have won a lot more trophies than the North Londoners these past few years.

Tottenham haven't lifted any silverware since winning the League Cup in 2008.

Whereas the Manchester giants count four Premier League titles, two FA Cups, four League Cups, one Champions League trophy and one Europa League honour in the last 17 years.

Keane told Sky Sports: "You still have to fancy United, someone like Bruno can produce, the history of Manchester United still carries a little bit of weight.

"There’s not much between them [in the league] but come the crunch, come the final, United’s history in finals, them winning cups the last few years, you’d like to think they would have a bit more knowledge around the game than Spurs.

"That might edge it for them, and I think Bruno can produce that bit of magic."

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SunSpoirt have revealed that United will not host a victory parade if they win the Europa League.

That is out of respect for the hundreds of staff who have lost their jobs this season amid minority shareholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe's brutal cuts.

The players and club have agreed celebrations beyond the final would be in poor taste.

I FANCY Tottenham to beat Manchester United in the Europa League final — because they have got a much better squad.

If Spurs do win, I think they might keep Ange Postecoglou . . . and he’d be silly to walk away.

Even though some people think that he will, because he has had enough.

You can see a difference in him but that comes with losing. When you’re winning, you can have a laugh and a joke.

Now you can see an edge to him because he’s being asked questions about his future and he’s getting beat week in, week out.

It’s going to change his persona. That’s for sure. I didn’t really have a bad time like that at Spurs.

But I did elsewhere, and when someone puts a mic under your nose, it’s not easy to keep answering questions. Your personality changes.

So I understand how Ange feels.

But he isn’t going to get a better club than Tottenham if he leaves. I looked at the bench the other day and it’s a very strong group.

Unlike United, I think they have recruited well and whatever people say, they have spent some money.

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Centre-half Cristian Romero is a World Cup winner and Micky van de Ven is a good player.

In midfield they are strong.

I like Dejan Kulusevski while striker Dominic Solanke was a big signing. Spurs are in far better shape going forward than United, miles better.

Next year, with everybody fit, Tottenham could be a top-six club again.

If they won this competition, and could add a couple of good players, they could have a really good season.

Ange just needs to survive to have the chance to work with that team again.

And I think he’d probably survive if he wins the final. But, by resting so many players for league games, I’m not sure he is giving Spurs the best chance of doing so.

I know they’ve had really bad injury problems but it does you no good to keep losing.

You want to win a couple of games before a final. It breeds some confidence.

A commentator I heard said Spurs play different football in Europe.

Man Utd vs Spurs - Europa League final: Kick-off time, TV channel and live stream info for Bilbao clash

Of course they do, as the teams they’re playing are not as good as their Premier League rivals.

If we’re honest, the Europa League is quite a second-rate competition.

I won the Intertoto Cup with West Ham. People called it the Inter Two-Bob Cup.

But these competitions aren’t an awful lot better.

Not so long ago Spurs were playing in the Champions League final, which is about ten grades above.

But a trophy’s a trophy. It would be nice for Spurs to win one after a long wait.

And they are better placed to build on winning than United.

The only way United get the money they need to improve their squad is by winning the final and reaching the Champions League.

If Spurs do win, I think they might keep Ange Postecoglou . . . and he’d be silly to walk away.

Harry Redknapp

But, even then, I’m not sure they would get it right.

United are four or five good players off being anywhere near good enough. They’re that far away.

Unless they recruit fantastically well, you wouldn’t see them being anywhere near the top six again next season.

It’s hard to believe they bossed English football for so long under Sir Alex. I see him at the races.

He wouldn’t be critical in public, but I do wonder what he must think at times when he sees the teams there.

Alex wasn’t a coach. But he was a great judge of a footballer and people.

He signed great players and put them in the right positions. And he brought in personalities he thought could cope with playing for United.

Managers now, including Ruben Amorim, have to rely on the judgment of others.

A bad situation could get even worse

There can be so many people in a recruitment committee that the manager only has one-sixth of the vote.­

Only Bruno Fernandes would get in one of Alex’s teams.

Look at the money that United have wasted — like £85.5million on Antony.

And the players they have let go. Scott McTominay is two games away from winning the Serie A title with Napoli.

He was Man United through and through. Those are the sort of players you want around you.

Amorim is probably too honest. He admits United are miles away.

He knows the club must get that money if they are going to bring in the players they need.

And if they don’t have it, a bad situation could get even worse.

CRYSTAL PALACE'S Eberechi Eze could be auditioning for a move to Manchester City in the FA Cup final.

The 26-year-old delivered a masterclass in the semi-final, scoring a stunning goal to lead his side to a 3–0 victory over Aston Villa.

His performance not only secured Palace a place in the final against Pep Guardiola's side but also reignited transfer speculation linking him with several Premier League giants.

Throughout this campaign, the midfielder has been a standout performer for Palace, recording 12 goals and 11 assists.

SunSport understands that Eze has long been on the radar of top clubs, including Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur, and Arsenal, all of whom have expressed interest in acquiring his services.

Tottenham Hotspur in particular are believed to hold a strong advantage in the race for Eze.

However, with Kevin De Bruyne’s future imminent exit Guardiola’s side may suddenly find themselves in need of a midfielder with Eze’s skill set and Premier League experience.

Sources suggest Eze is determined to play Champions League football and will take his time in deciding his next move.

Arsenal have also been monitoring Eze’s progress. While not as aggressive in their pursuit, the Gunners are reportedly keeping a close eye on his situation.

As the transfer window approaches, Eze’s future remains uncertain however, a decisive performance in the FA Cup final would undoubtedly increase his stock.

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Last summer, Crystal Palace turned down several offers from Newcastle for defender Marc Guehi.

But the centre-back is entering the final year of his contract - and is prepared to run it down to land a dream transfer to Real Madrid or Barcelona.

Palace are well aware that Eze has been incredibly professional, staying loyal when Michael Olise left for Bayern Munich and has since established himself as a key figure under Oliver Glasner.

But this summer will test chairman Steve Parish’s resolve.

EMI MARTINEZ broke down in tears as he waved goodbye to Aston Villa fans after the victory over Tottenham Hotspur.

The Villans ended their last home game of the season with a 2-0 win over the North London side.

Martinez, 32, kept a clean sheet in the match against the Europa League finalists.

But at the end of the game, there was little celebration from the Argentine goalkeeper.

The Villa star could be seen teary-eyed as he applauded the home crowd.

The former Arsenal ace has been linked with a move away from Villa Park with Saudi Arabia touted as a possible destination.

Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp said: "What a signing he has been.

"Amazing player, great goalkeeper, but it looks like he was waving goodbye.

"Trying to find someone to fill that void will be very difficult."

Roy Keane insisted that he would be a "big loss".

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He added: "He has been a good character, some people like him.

"He can be annoying at times with some of his antics.

"But he has been a great signing for them, he'll be a big loss as it does look like he his saying his final goodbyes."

Manager Unai Emery was asked about the goalkeeper's future in his post-match press conference.

The Spaniard was unable to give any assurances that Martinez would be at the club next season.

He said: "We will see.

"Of course, it is the last match (of the season) here, and I don't know.

"We will see about the team, the players.

"Of course, they are responding on the field, at the moment they are responding and they are so, so focused in how we are preparing and playing each match."

Martinez has been ever-present in the Villa team since his £20million switch from Arsenal in 2020.

He joined the club after only a few months of regular first-team football in the Premier League.

He has since gone on to become one of the best goalkeepers in world football and won the World Cup in 2022.

The goalkeeper was also awarded with the Yashin Trophy in 2023 and 2024.

Martinez also posted on Instagram a picture of himself looking emotional as he waved to the supporters.

He captioned a post: "Thank you for all your support this season.

"We finished strong at home but we got one more final to go."

Emery also mentioned Leon Bailey who was also in tears at the full-time whistle.

He added: "Of course, Leon Bailey is playing now less because other players are responding very well. They are performing well.

"And we are going to play Manchester United for the last three points. And for us it will be very important again, to prepare, to be focused everybody.

"And of course, then we will see about everything, how we are going to try to get better for the next season."

UNAI EMERY had unlikely heroes Ezri Konsa and Boubacar Kamara to thank for three crucial points as Villa turned the heat on their Champions League rivals.

The Spaniard celebrated his 100th Premier League game in charge of Villa with a hard-earned 54th win.

Konsa pounced to grab his third goal of the season but it was Kamara who supplied the cherry on the top of the cake with his first Premier goal - at the 69th attempt!

The win saw Villa leapfrog Manchester City and move to within two points of second-placed Arsenal as Villa set a new club record with their 32nd win of the season in all competitions.

Emery's men came into this game brimming with confidence…. and a burning sense of injustice.

They were unbeaten in 20 home games across all competitions - their best run for 48 years - and had won their last seven on the spin at Villa Park.

But there were empty seats as many fans couldn't make the hastily re-arranged date after the Premier League allowed Spurs more time to prepare for Wednesday's Europa League final.

Ange Postecoglou wrapped his stars up in cotton wool ahead of their midweek trip to Bilbao.

Guglielmo Vicario, Rodrigo Bentancur, Brennan Johnson, Richarlison, Dominic Solanke and Pedro Porro were all on the bench, while Sergio Reguilon started a Premier League game for Spurs for the first time since April 2022.

That meant the spotlight fell on Son Heung-min who faced a final audition ahead of Wednesday's cup final.

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The Spurs skipper only returned from a foot injury for the last half hour of his side's 2-0 loss against Crystal Palace.

With just five days to go, this was his last chance to stake his claim for a starting place in Bilbao.

And he certainly gave Matty Cash a torrid time of it.

He burst past the startled full-back after five minutes but lacked that vital match sharpness and allowed the Villa man to recover and take the pace off his shot.

At the other end Antonin Kinsky got a vital touch to divert a cross away from Ollie Watkins' waiting head before John McGinn fired just over after dispossessing Djed Spence.

Villa were finding Spurs a tough nut to crack and Son was beginning to find his feet.

He chopped inside Cash before rifling a ferocious effort just over, then produced a fine pass to set Wilson Odobert clear.

The ball was worked wide to Mathys Tel who drilled in a low cross which Odobert turned goalwards with a cute Cruyff-flick but Emi Martinez reacted superbly to block with his left boot.

It was end to end stuff and Kinsky surpassed himself with a full-length save to prevent Morgan Rogers' delicate flick from finding the far corner of his net.

Villa's frustration was growing and Cash was booked for waving an imaginary yellow card at Pape Sarr, before Archie Gray joined him for clattering Ollie Watkins.

Marco Asensio then came close with a shot which flashed inches wide of the far post.

But at the break Postecoglou would have been the happier boss with the stalemate.

Ezri Konsa and Tel got the second half off to a bad-tempered start when they clashed and both captains were called in to have a word.

Tel escaped with a warning despite flashing an elbow at Konsa and Emery tapped a finger to his temple to warn his players to think about who was benefitting from the disruption.

But the tension was suddenly lifted just before the hour as Villa broke the deadlock with their 16th set-piece goal of the season in the Prem.

McGinn's deep corner was headed down by Watkins at the back post and Ezri Konsa spun to steer the ball beyond Kinsky from inside the six-yard-box.

That goal lifted a weight off Villa and Kinsky did well to deny Watkins before McGinn fired just wide as Emery's men pushed for the second goal needed to kill-off Spurs.

It finally arrived after 73 minutes from the unlikeliest scorer as Kamara broke his Villa duck.

Rogers fed him at the edge of the Spurs box and Asensio created space with a clever decoy run and Kamara cashed in to slam the ball beyond Kinsky from the edge of the box.