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Tyrone Mings said that Aston Villa's first half performance against Tottenham was inexcusable

Tyrone Mings admitted that Aston Villa lacked "energy, passion, fight and desire" in their 2-1 defeat against relegation-threatened Tottenham.

Conor Gallagher and Richarlison put Spurs 2-0 up inside 25 minutes, before Emi Buendia halved the deficit in the 96th minute, although the scoreline flattered Villa.

Villa had not gone 2-0 down at home in a league match within the opening 25 minutes since February 2021 - until Sunday evening. Tottenham, meanwhile, had not gone 2–0 up that quickly in a league match since December 2024.

Mings, who was one of seven changes Unai Emery made following the 1-0 defeat at Nottingham Forest last Thursday, admitted that Villa fell well below the required standard in a post-match interview with TNT Sports.

“I was really disappointed with the first half,” Mings said. “Collectively, if you play for this football club, the energy, passion, fight and desire are an absolute minimum, and from one to 11 I don’t think that was there in the first half.

“I was frustrated with that. We pushed in the second half, but they had a good shape, they were tough to break down, tough to play against, and I think we deserved to lose in the end.”

Mings added: “It’s easy to point the finger at what it could be and what it might be, but I’m not making any excuses for delivering that first-half performance.

“A few words were said about how it fell below the standards we expect, but the manager was reiterating that where we are is a fantastic position. It’s been a huge effort up until now.

“We have a huge game on Thursday and we’ll try to pick the bones of what went wrong today and not do that again. It was frustrating for the fans; they come here to watch a high energy performance from a Villa team.

“There were a few changes and you’d say that we’d be fresh and get after them, but it was disappointing for the fans and a disappointing result.”

Unai Emery questioned whether Aston Villa fans had forgotten about the strong season the club is having after hearing boos during the defeat to Tottenham

Unai Emery claimed Aston Villa fans may have forgotten the club’s “fantastic season” in response to boos during and after their 2-1 defeat to relegation-threatened Tottenham Hotspur.

Villa were second best across the pitch against Spurs, who scored twice in the opening 25 minutes through Conor Gallagher and Richarlison.

Emi Buendia netted a late consolation goal, but the scoreline flattered Villa after they failed to seriously trouble Tottenham until the 96th minute.

They registered just one touch in Tottenham’s penalty area during the first half, with Spurs goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky not required to make a single save.

Boos were heard from Villa fans at half-time, and again at full-time from those who remained in the stadium.

Speaking after the match, Emery was asked by BBC Match of the Day whether the manner of Villa’s defeat to Spurs could have lasting consequences for Thursday’s Europa League semi-final second leg against Nottingham Forest.

“It is a different match and a different competition as well. We are in the semi-final, and we are going to enjoy the match and we are going to enjoy the process.

“To play in a semi-final like we are playing is something really fantastic, in the Europa League. I didn’t play one match like that here.

“We are three years here at Aston Villa, and three years playing in Europe is fantastic, achieving quarter-finals, achieving semi-finals.

“We can forget, or the supporters, I don’t know. I am realistic. We are having a fantastic season and there are still matches to play. We have the same points as Liverpool, 58.”

Speaking about the game generally, Unai Emery said: “Today we faced a team that played fantastically, and they competed fantastically. They needed the points, and they fought to get it.

“In the first half, we didn't perform well. In the second half, we reacted, but it was not enough. In 35 games, things are very good, and we have the advantage to still be in the top five, but we must continue to be demanding.

“Maybe the points [for Champions League qualification] are not enough, and we must try to recover our form and do the things we were doing - there are still three matches to go.

"They [Tottenham] played fantastic, they pressed, they won duels, and we were not dominant in individual duels, and they beat us.”

Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has responded to boos from home fans during and after the 2-1 defeat against Tottenham

Unai Emery called for perspective after Aston Villa’s 2-1 home defeat to relegation-threatened Tottenham Hotspur.

Conor Gallagher opened the scoring early in the game, before Richarlison doubled the visitors’ lead in the 25th minute.

Emi Buendia pulled one back in the 96th minute, but it proved too little, too late for Villa, who have now lost three consecutive matches for the first time since November 2024.

In his post-match press conference, Emery was asked about Villa fans booing at half-time and again after the final whistle.

“I am here for more than three years, and how we have done everything, I don't forget it,” Emery said.

“We spoke in the dressing room after the first half about it. How we are getting it, during the process we have been on here, and how we want to continue in the way.

“We can perform better or worse, but overall how we are we analyse the process and how we did it [the process].

“We can perform better or worse, but I am not losing my mind and my point of view about how I want to get it. We lost today because Tottenham performed better than us.

“They are a very good team. For different circumstances they are not fighting where we are, but we must be realistic about everything.”

Emery added: “We were facing Tottenham and they played a fantastic game, scoring two goals quickly and dominating. We tried but we couldn’t.

“The second half we reacted, but it wasn’t enough. The second half, how we played, we must try and get it as a reaction we need for the next matches.

“It’s the Europa League semi-final second leg [on Thursday]. It’s another team. It’s something different. We are going to try to prepare for this game, getting our best.”

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')

Unai Emery speaks out on John McGinn injury ahead of Nottingham Forest semi-final second leg

Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has explained why John McGinn is missing against Tottenham

Unai Emery has confirmed that John McGinn was left out of Aston Villa’s squad to face Tottenham Hotspur as a precaution.

Villa have a Europa League semi-final second leg against Nottingham Forest on Thursday night, where McGinn is expected to return to the team.

“When we are playing matches in a few days like we are playing Thursday, sometimes players aren’t feeling 100 per cent, getting tired muscular, thinking not completely fit,” Emery said on TNT Sports pre-match.

“John McGinn, he was confident yesterday but not feeling 100%, so we decided not to take a risk and he’s not going to be involved today.”

This evening’s match against Spurs is a key one for Villa’s hopes of finishing in the top five and securing qualification for the Champions League.

After AFC Bournemouth beat Crystal Palace earlier, Villa cannot mathematically qualify today. However, a win would put them on the brink.

Villa need four more points to secure a top-five finish. They could confirm qualification before facing Burnley if they win today and Bournemouth fail to win at Fulham next weekend.

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Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has warned that Tottenham are a "dangerous opponent" this evening

Unai Emery has warned his Aston Villa squad against complacency ahead of their clash with relegation-threatened Tottenham Hotspur.

Spurs travel to Villa Park on Sunday afternoon aiming to climb out of the relegation zone, seeking back-to-back league victories for the first time since the start of the season when they beat Burnley and Manchester City.

Villa, meanwhile, will be targeting a fifth consecutive home win in all competitions. However, they suffered a setback in their previous outing, losing to Nottingham Forest in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final.

Emery’s pre-match programme notes read: “We are so, so excited by our semi-final, we know that today needs laser focus and determination. We will have time to talk about Europe, but today we face a huge challenge that can be a strong step in our race for top five.

“The best energy we can find in these busy weeks is to get results and build confidence. No matter who is playing, what matters is the collective goal. Because now is the time fior the team and not to think of individual interest or goal.

“It is the moment to be focused in every single match, put the five senses in every and each action, help each teammate and fight every duel like it would be the last one. We must forget about the future and be fully focused.

“Tottenham are in a difficult moment, but this means that we cannot allow the table to give us a false impression of how this match is going to be. We know that Roberto is a top manager and will have this team motivated and prepared, and this means not one step backwards for us.

“It is very clear to me that this will be a very, very difficult and dangerous opponent for us, and we must ensure that our focus and our minds are clear of everything but our way and what we need to do.

“We must equalise and rise above their wishes and mentality. We worked the whole season for nine months, and now it is the crucial time for a good response. We need you, Villa Park, once again, giving your energy and support the players, which we are feeling in each moment. This is so important now, to be together, players and fans. Not time and no space for doubts.”

Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has demanded full focus on Sunday's match against Tottenham despite having a deficit to overturn in the Europa League semi-finals

Unai Emery has insisted that he and his players are focused solely on strengthening their bid for a Champions League finish when they face Tottenham on Sunday, rather than being distracted by the looming Europa League semi-final second leg against Nottingham Forest.

A victory over Spurs could be enough to seal a top five finish for Villa come the end of the month as Brighton would need to win all of their remaining matches to overtake them if Emery’s side collect just three more points from the 12 still available.

Villa head into the match following a 1-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final. The return leg at Villa Park takes place on Thursday after Sunday night’s clash with Tottenham.

“We are now focusing on the match on Sunday against Tottenham. Yesterday, everything that happened is now done and it was the first part of the two legs we are going to play,” Emery said in his pre-match press conference. “We are analysing, but we are going to have a break from analysing and focusing on the second match at home against Nottingham.

“It is going to be very important, but now we have to focus in the league. Yesterday, everything that happened with the referees and the decision of VAR, those issues, I spoke about it yesterday in the press conference. I think it is done.”

He continued: “Each match is very, very important in the Premier League. We are on matchday 35. We are completely focusing on it as a priority,” he said.

“Of course, the priority yesterday was Forest in the Europa League, but the priority is the Premier League - to be consistent and demanding there, to achieve our huge challenge this year: to be again in the Champions League.”

Asked how many more points Villa need to achieve Champions League qualification, Emery said: “It depends! When we won in the last minute against Sunderland two weeks ago, I was positive. Last week against Fulham, I was not too positive about everything we are doing and about the points we need to get the fifth, fourth, or third positions.

“There are some teams behind us and they are performing well, like Brighton or still Chelsea, with their potential and capacity to win a lot of matches at the end of the season.

“We must get our own matches, focusing on those matches and trying to get points. The first one is against Tottenham on Sunday.

“I am positive and delighted with how we are arriving at the moment we are in now, playing in a semi-final and being in the position we are in the league.

“It is really fantastic, with the consistency we are achieving. Still, the last challenges are here to play.”

Tottenham have been given an update on Xavi Simons after the midfielder came off against Wolves on a stretcher

Tottenham Hotspur have been dealt a major injury blow ahead of their trip to Aston Villa this weekend.

Spurs currently sit in the relegation zone, despite securing a 1-0 victory over Wolves at Molineux on Saturday.

Their position remains precarious as West Ham, who are 17th, also picked up a win against Everton.

However, Tottenham’s victory was overshadowed by concern after Xavi Simons was stretchered off following an incident in the second half.

The Dutch midfielder has since confirmed that his season is over and that he will also miss the World Cup due to the severity of a knee injury, which is an ACL rupture.

Dominic Solanke was another casualty against Wolves, coming off with an apparent issue. Manager Roberto De Zerbi later revealed that the striker had picked up a muscular problem.

While the extent of Solanke’s injury is still unclear, Tottenham will be hopeful of welcoming Destiny Udogie back for the clash against Villa.

The full-back missed the trip to Wolves, as did Pape Matar Sarr, who experienced shoulder pain in training last week.

Meanwhile, Mohamed Kudus, Dejan Kulusevski, Wilson Odobert, and Cristian Romero remain sidelined.

Tottenham clash rescheduled after Aston Villa progress to Europa League semi-finals

Aston Villa will host Tottenham in the Premier League between the Europa League semi-finals against Nottingham Forest

Aston Villa’s Premier League clash against Tottenham has been rescheduled following the club’s progression to the Europa League semi-finals.

Unai Emery’s side saw off Bologna in the quarter-finals, securing a 3-1 victory in Italy before cruising to a 4-0 win at home on Thursday night.

Ollie Watkins scored his 100th goal for the club to set Villa on their way to a ninth successive Europa League victory, with Emi Buendia doubling the lead soon after.

Although Morgan Rogers had a penalty saved prior to Buendia's goal, he still managed to get on the scoresheet before half-time. Ezri Konsa added a late goal to seal a dominant 7-1 aggregate win across the two legs.

After full-time, Villa confirmed ticket prices for their semi-final against Nottingham Forest. The match has been classified as a Category 2 fixture rather than Category 1, following backlash over pricing decisions for the quarter-final, with president of business operations Francesco Calvo listening to fan concerns.

As a result of Villa’s European progress, their Premier League fixture against Tottenham Hotspur has been moved from Saturday, May 2 (12:30pm kick-off) to Sunday, May 3 (7:00pm kick-off).

Fans are also advised that, due to the semi-final schedule, on-sale dates for Villa’s Premier League match against Liverpool on Sunday, May 17 will be delayed by one week.

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