London Evening Standard

Yet more pressure is building on Tottenham and its hierarchy after a supporters’ group hit out at a perceived “dramatic fall in ambition” in a new statement.

The good feeling about the club which came with May’s Europa League triumph quickly dissipated with the sacking of Ange Postecoglou, and the mood has only grown more sour amid the side’s struggles under Thomas Frank, under whose leadership Spurs sit 14th in the Premier League.

Thomas Frank’s frayed relationship with fans has been made manifest in a chorus of boos after several recent matches, and THST has now held talks with the club’s representatives to make their feelings clear.

In a statement released Friday evening, the Tottenham Hotspur Supporters Trust highlighted poor results, Frank’s pessimistic attitude in press conferences and the club’s inaction in the transfer window as particular points of concern and called for improved communications between the club and its fans.

The statement read: “The THST Board has been engaged with the senior leadership of the football club throughout recent weeks and months and has repeatedly raised supporters’ concerns with them.

“Whilst we acknowledge the changes in personnel behind the scenes at the Club, this has regrettably not been matched with improvements on the pitch.”

“There also appears to be a dramatic fall in ambition for the football club, as evidenced by the transfer window to date and repeated statements by Thomas Frank, reminding supporters that the Club finished 17th in the Premier League last season, that the Club is only participating in the Champions League through winning the Europa League, and that Bournemouth (a side without a win in 11 games) are “always a difficult team” and that’s he is “not enjoying the job”.

“We stressed that fans need to hear directly from the Club leadership the ambition for the football club for this season, for next season, and for the foreseeable future.

“That begins, but is certainly not restricted to, the coming transfer window, in which all the stops need to be pulled out in order to demonstrate that Tottenham Hotspur are a serious football club and that we really do want to “win more, more often”.”

The statement also hit out at the “embarrassing” incidents of Cristian Romero and Pedro Porro clashing with fans in the away end after Wednesday’s defeat by Bournemouth, and Frank drinking out of an Arsenal-branded cup.

Thomas Frank has confirmed that Tottenham will be without winger Mohammed Kudus until after the March international break.

The 25-year-old suffered a quad injury during last weekend’s 1-1 draw with Sunderland, and will not be back fit until early April.

“Kudus is a bigger one, to the tendon and quad, and don't expect him back until after the March international break,” Frank said in his pre-match press conference.

Rodrigo Bentancur is also facing a significant spell on the sidelines after suffering a hamstring injury during Spurs’ damaging 3-2 defeat to Bournemouth on Wednesday.

The Uruguayan was replaced late on by Archie Gray at the Vitality Stadium, and Frank said the injury was worse than first feared.

Lucas Bergvall will also be assessed after coming off against Bournemouth with what appeared to be a muscle injury.

“Lucas is being assessed today. We'll know more later today with him.

“Same with Rodri. Rodri is a hamstring injury, looks like a bigger one. We don't know the extent yet.”

With Bentancur and potentially Bergvall set to be out for Saturday’s FA Cup third round tie against Aston Villa, Frank has yet more decisions to make in midfield.

Joao Palhinha came back into the starting lineup against Bournemouth and scored an overhead kick to level the scores in the second half.

He could be rewarded with another start against Villa, while Gray could be brought back in after starting on the bench against Bournemouth.

Frank switched up his attack against Andoni Iraola’s side, starting Randal Kolo Muani as the central striker.

The Frenchman was, however, ineffectual given the chance to impress in his favoured position and could make way for Richarlison, who nearly scored off the bench as Spurs rallied late on.

Spurs know their season could end on Saturday

Tottenham vs Aston Villa in FA Cup third round

ES Composite

Your matchday briefing on Tottenham, featuring team news and expert analysis from Matt Verri

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Tottenham welcome Aston Villa to town on Saturday with a desperate need to keep their season alive.

Spurs face off against Premier League opposition in the FA Cup third round, a competition which represents the club’s final realistic chance of winning silverware this term.

The club remain in the Champions League, though they are in a fight to qualify for the last-16 stage, and are languishing in the bottom half of the Premier League table.

So, defeat - fourth on the spin against Aston Villa - could spell the end of Spurs’ season.

Date, kick-off time and venue

Tottenham vs Aston Villa is scheduled for a 5.35pm GMT kick-off on Saturday, January 10, 2026.

The match will take place at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

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Where to watch Tottenham vs Aston Villa

TV channel: In the UK, the game will be televised live on both BBC One and TNT Sports 1.

Coverage starts on TNT Sports at 5pm, with the free-to-air coverage on the BBC beginning at 5.30pm.

Live stream: UK viewers can also catch the contest for free live online via the BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website. TNT Sports subscribers can use the Discovery+ app and website.

Live blog: You can follow all the action on matchday via Standard Sport’s live blog, with expert analysis from Sam Tabuteau at the ground.

Tottenham vs Aston Villa team news

Mohamed Kudus is set for an extended spell on the sidelines after picking up an injury against Sunderland, and Lucas Bergvall is expected to join him on the sidelines after coming off against Bournemouth.

Mathys Tel deserves to keep his spot on the left-hand side of the attack, but Randal Kolo Muani did little to suggest in the 3-2 loss that Richarlison should stay on the bench. Archie Gray will be pushing to return, potentially in place of the ever-underwhelming Rodrigo Bentancur. Kevin Danso and Radu Dragusin could get a start in central defence.

Aston Villa remain without the influential Amadou Onana, who has a hamstring injury, but the form of Boubacar Kamara and Youri Tielemans means little has lost from midfield. There are concerns over Emi Martinez after the goalkeeper withdrew at half-time of Wednesday's 0-0 draw with Crystal Palace, but Marco Bizot was expected to start in any case.

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Ian Maatsen will hope to start, along with Donyell Malen and Emi Buendia, with all three coming off the bench in midweek. Tyrone Mings (hamstring) is edging towards a return, but is not expected to start in north London. Evann Guessand remains absent due to the Africa Cup of Nations.

Mohammed Kudus is set to miss out

Action Images via Reuters

Tottenham vs Aston Villa prediction

Until recently, Aston Villa had a poor record in the FA Cup. A run of seven consecutive third-round exits ended in 2024 with a fourth-round exit, before last season’s run to the semi-finals. It remains to be seen how seriously Unai Emery takes the competition, given their superior chances of winning the Europa League and a push to finish in the Premier League top five.

But, no matter the team selection, Villa will be confident of getting a result against a team they have often got the better of recently. Spurs are in disarray, and another defeat at home will surely spell the end of Thomas Frank’s time in charge. Morale is through the floor and there is little confidence of the head coach being able to corral his troops to see off an impressive side.

Aston Villa to win, 2-0.

Head to head (h2h) history and results

Spurs have now lost their last three in a row against Aston Villa. They last lost four in a row against the same side in 1996.

Tottenham wins: 79

Aston Villa wins: 63

Draws: 36

Tottenham vs Aston Villa match odds

Tottenham to win: 11/8

Aston Villa to win: 8/5

Draw: 15/8

Odds via Betfair (subject to change).

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Scenes after the game saw Micky van de Ven and Pedro Porro confront angry travelling Spurs fans at the Vitality Stadium. Video footage showed Porro being dragged away by team-mate Guglielmo Vicario before Frank approached the away end to deafening boos.

Romero wrote on Instagram: “Apologies to all fans of you who follow us everywhere, who are always there and will continue to be. We are responsible, there’s no doubt about that. I am the first. But we will keep facing up to it and trying to turn the situation around, for ourselves and for the club.

“At times like this, it should be other people coming out to speak, but they don’t - as has been happening for several years now. They only show up when things are going well, to tell a few lies.

“We’ll stay here, working, sticking together and giving our all to turn things around. Especially at times like this, keeping quiet, working harder and moving forward all togetheris part of football. All together, it will be easier [at Tottenham}.”

Porro and striker Richarlison have since replied to the post by supporting their captain, while the likes of Xavi Simons and Radu Dragusin have liked it.

It is not the first time Romero has publicly hit out at the Spurs hierarchy. Speaking in December 2024, following a defeat to Chelsea, Romero said: "You have to realise that something is going wrong, hopefully, they [the board] realise it.

"The last few years, it's always the same - first the players, then the coaching staff changes, and it's always the same people responsible.

"Hopefully they realise who the true responsible ones are and we move forward because it's a beautiful club that, with the structure it has, could easily be competing for the title every year."

Thomas Frank has issued a worrying update on the shape of Lucas Bergvall after he suffered a fresh injury against Bournemouth.

The young Swede has struggled with injuries throughout this season, and went down injured in the second half at the Vitality Stadium as Spurs were beaten 3-2 by Bournemouth.

He appeared to be in considerable discomfort, but walked off under his own volition.

Despite that, Frank issued a worrying prognosis, saying the injury seemed ‘not top’.

"Yeah, of course. I don't know exactly the update,” he explained. “My initial thought is probably not top with Lucas, when he is off second time (in four games)."

Rodrigo Bentancur also seemed to pick up an issue in the second half. He was replaced by Archie Gray four minutes from time, but Frank would not be goaded when asked to issue an update on his condition.

Pressed as to whether the injury could lead him to invest in the transfer market, Frank explained: “As I said, quite a few times we are in the market. The club is working very hard, they can.

“It's difficult in January. We need to get players in that can improve the squad.”

Spurs could have done with the assistance of the injured Mohammed Kudus on Wednesday as they struggled to trouble the Bournemouth back line.

No specific prognosis has yet been offered for the Ghanaian, and Frank could not provide an update on his condition at full time.

The result, sealed by a 95th-minute winner by Antoine Semenyo, leaves Spurs with just one win in their last six Premier League outings, and supporters are growing increasingly frustrated with subpar results.

Fans have booed Thomas Frank enthusiastically after recent draws with Brentford and Sunderland, and the same was true at the Vitality.

This time, though, Frank’s players leapt to his defence. Video shared on X appears to show Van de Ven, a member of Frank’s first-team leadership group, approach the away end and engage in a heated confrontation with a fan seated in the front row.

He was ushered away by a staff member, before Porro followed suit. The Argentine seemed furious and needed to be held back from the fan by a group of stewards.

Palhinha, who scored a stunning bicycle kick to level the match at 2-2 before Semenyo’s winner, seemed to be playing the role of peacemaker.

Reacting to the away end’s criticisms at full-time, Palhinha told Sky Sports: “It was just the supporters sharing their frustration. We of course understand, we respect, first of all.

“And I just said that we are fighting for all the same. We want to win, not just the players, the staff, the supporters.”

“We are trying to get the victories that, in my opinion, we should deserve the last games. I just want to say, like I said to our fans, keep supporting us, because we will change that momentum.

“The victories will come, I don't have any doubt about that. And yeah, it's frustrating.”

His own relationship with fans is more strained than ever, and has not been helped after he was pictured sipping from an Arsenal-branded cup ahead of the Bournemouth match.

“I haven't seen that situation, that's one thing. I think it's fair to say everyone involved in Tottenham, players, staff, fans, everyone is a tough one to take today.

“I think hopefully everyone can see how hard we worked to get everything in the right direction. And I think overall the performance was good, especially in the second half, in a game where we deserved to get more.

Both sides’ winless runs continue after south coast thriller

Worldie: Antoine Semenyo

Andrew Matthews/PA Wire

Ed Elliott

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Your matchday briefing on Tottenham, featuring team news and expert analysis from Matt Verri

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Antoine Semenyo bid a potential farewell to Bournemouth in style by piling pressure on Tottenham boss Thomas Frank with a stunning late winner in a 3-2 success at the Vitality Stadium.

The Cherries' top scorer, who is on the verge of a £65million move to Manchester City, had largely been a peripheral figure before smashing home his 10th goal of the season in the fifth minute of added time.

Joao Palhinha's bicycle kick looked set to earn Spurs head coach Frank a reprieve after first-half goals from Cherries pair Evanilson and Junior Kroupi overturned Mathys Tel's early opener.

But the under-fire Danish manager is likely to face further scrutiny after Semenyo's dramatic intervention left his side with just two wins from 12 top-flight fixtures amid Tottenham's fanbase rapidly losing patience.

Bournemouth, who ended an 11-match winless run thanks to the late twist, remain 15th but moved a point and a place behind their opponents.

Tottenham's players wore black armbands on the south coast following the death of club great Martin Chivers at the age of 80, while travelling fans chanted his name during the game.

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Frank, who made five changes after Sunday's 1-1 draw with Sunderland ended with jeers from disgruntled supporters, watched his side snatch a fifth-minute lead.

Xavi Simons - back in the team after a three-match ban - backheeled the ball down the Tottenham left before France Under-21 forward Tel cut inside James Hill to find the far corner with a low effort which deceived Cherries goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic.

Bournemouth levelled in the 22nd minute.

After Alex Jimenez brilliantly recycled the ball following a cleared corner, Marcus Tavernier delivered a delightful inswinging cross from the right for Evanilson to direct a glancing header into the left of the net.

Tottenham midfielder Lucas Bergvall fired narrowly over from distance before Bournemouth completed the turnaround in the 36th minute.

Tavernier again caused problems, whipping in an inviting, right-wing delivery which was missed by Semenyo, only for Marcos Senesi to knock the ball back across goal for Kroupi to find the top-left corner.

Frank opted against changes at half-time before Bergvall limped off early in the second period to be replaced by Wilson Odobert.

Richarlison, who came on for the ineffective Randal Kolo Muani in the 67th minute, almost made an instant impact when he nodded against the right post from close range after Cristian Romero headed Tel's corner back across goal.

Spurs then had a penalty award overturned on review as replays showed centre-back Micky van de Ven threw himself to the ground after bursting into Bournemouth's 18-yard box.

The away side's increasing pressure paid off 12 minutes from time.

Bournemouth failed to clear Pedro Porro's corner from the right and Palhinha launched himself into the air to spectacularly hook home.

Van de Ven forced a fine save out Petrovic with a close-range header as Spurs pushed for a winner.

But the away side were ultimately left empty-handed as Semenyo had the final say, lashing a swerving shot into the bottom-right corner from distance during nine minutes of added time.

The Ghana international was afforded a standing ovation when he was substituted moments later before being serenaded by home supporters after returning to the pitch following the full-time whistle.

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Antoine Semenyo’s 95th-minute winner inflicted yet more misery on Thomas Frank, as Spurs fell to a 3-2 defeat away to Bournemouth.

Mathys Tel gave Spurs the lead early on, but Bournemouth hit back with goals from Evanilson and Junior Kroupi.

Joao Palhinha thought he had stolen a point for Spurs with an audacious overhead kick, but Semenmyo had the final say deep in stoppage time.

Here are three things Standard Sport learned from Spurs’ defeat at the Vitality Stadium...

Frank must win over ‘increasingly apathetic’ fans

It was on this ground a little over a year ago that Ange Postecoglu’s relationship with Tottenham’s supporters appeared to have reached breaking point.

Postecoglu confronted and pointed out a section of angry supporters in the away end at the Vitality Stadium in the aftermath of Spurs’ 1-0 defeat to Bournemouth.

It felt like the beginning of the end for the Australian’s relationship with the supporters.

It is not in Frank’s nature to be as confrontational, and while that is a commendable trait, it feels as if Spurs fans’ complaints are falling on deaf ears.

Morale is low in the Spurs squad and even lower among supporters

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There was no fiery feedback from Frank on the full-time whistle as Spurs slumped to defeat, just a tentative walk over to the away end before retreating down the tunnel.

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Spurs supporters want something to cling on to, an identity, a personality, a connection.

These are all things Frank is struggling to provide amid the pressures of a job he has admitted he is not enjoying.

Frank has been adamant that he has the backing of the club’s board - there is an understanding between him and chief executive Vinai Venkatesham about the time it will take to build something sustainable at a club that has lurched from manager to manager in recent years.

However, without the buy-in of an increasingly apathetic fanbase, Frank is quickly going to run out of time in the race to restore a sense of pride and purpose at a club drifting long before he took the reins.

Xavi Simons goes missing

A lot has happened since Xavi Simons last pulled on a Tottenham shirt, and not a lot of it has been particularly entertaining.

The Dutchman looked to have changed that on his first start back after a three-game suspension as he dominated the opening exchanges.

Playing off Randal Kolo Muani, Simons was able to float across the pitch, at one time leading the press and at another dropping deep to pick up the ball and drive Spurs forward.

Undercover: Xavi Simons went missing on Wednesday night

REUTERS

It was his delightful backheel, just his third assist since joining the club in the summer from RB Leipzig, that opened up the chance for Tel to score, and the 22-year-old linked the play superbly throughout.

As the game progressed, though, Simons retreated from view as Bournemouth took control.

It was telling just how few of those who impressed for Spurs early on reacted well to Bournemouth scoring, and Simons was among the guilty party.

Repeated mistakes cost Spurs

All the talk in the lead-up to the game was about the damage that Antoine Semenyo could cause on what looks set to be his final Bournemouth performance.

However, it was on the right flank where Spurs were punished as Marcus Tavernier turned the game on its head with two spectacular inswinging deliveries.

Marcus Tavernier gave Thomas Frank and Tottenham headaches at the Vitality

Action Images via Reuters

Tavernier’s ability to hit through the ball and find a man with a pass does not get spoken about enough, but it is also no secret, and Spurs should have known better than to let him on to his right foot not once but twice in the first half.

Pedro Porro and Djed Spence were simply too slow to close Tavernier down, and they were punished ruthlessly with Evanilson nodding in before Eli Junior Kroupi finished from Marcos Senesi’s cut-back.

Thomas Frank was left perplexed on the touchline as Mathys Tel handed his side an early lead. He will have been seething by the half-time whistle. Spurs did not learn their lesson, and at this level, that is unforgivable.

Concentration has been a big issue for Spurs this season, and they paid the price for not being alert enough to the danger Tavernier posed.

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COMMENTS

Your matchday briefing on Tottenham, featuring team news and expert analysis from Matt Verri

I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice.

Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo got his fairytale ending as his 95th-minute winner sealed a 3-2 win over Tottenham at the Vitality Stadium.

Mathys Tel gave Tottenham the lead inside five minutes, arrowing a deflected right-footed effort past Dorde Petrovic.

Bournemouth, though, hit back with goals from Evanilson and Junior Kroupi to take a 2-1 lead into the break.

Joao Palhinha levelled the scores with an audacious overhead kick, but Semenyo struck deep into stoppage time to give the hosts all three points.

Sam Tabuteau was at the Vitality Stadium to rate the Spurs players...

Guglielmo Vicario 5

Some suspect moments in possession, but could do little about either Bournemouth goal.

Pedro Porro 4

Gave Tavernier too much time to cross as he found himself out of position for Bournemouth’s equaliser. Rifled a volley well over the bar under pressure. Carded for a cynical challenge just before the hour mark.

Cristian Romero 7

Not tight enough to Evanilson for Bournemouth’s equaliser, but really grew into the game and provided a great option at the back post as Spurs looked to hurt Bournemouth with their set-pieces. A superb challenge to deny Semenyo late on.

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Micky Van de Ven 4

Sloppy in possession, he contributed to a performance in which Spurs drifted dangerously and could not recover. Could have turned the hero, if not for an excellent save from Petrovic.

Djed Spence 5

Took the ball well under pressure and got forward well to support Tel, but like Porro, he was not quick enough to cut out Tavernier’s cross as Bournemouth took the lead through Kroupi.

Joao Palhinha 7

Came up with a superb late equaliser, scoring with an overhead kick with just over 10 minutes to play.

Rodrigo Bentancur 4

Gave the ball away at an alarming rate. Started well, but drifted badly as the game wore on.

Lucas Bergvall 6

Back into the starting lineup, his deep runs stretched the play and caused problems for Bournemouth’s backline. Curled a right-footed effort narrowly over the bar in the first half. Replaced early in the second half with an injury.

Xavi Simons 6

Returning from suspension, the Dutchman impressed. A lovely backheel opened up the chance for Tel to score, and he linked the play superbly throughout, whether it was dropping deep or leading the press.

Mathys Tel 7

Opened the scoring inside five minutes as he cut inside and arrowed his shot past Petrovic. Battled well to keep the ball and retain possession under pressure. Kept Spurs probing in the second half.

Randal Kolo Muani 3

Given a chance at striker, he failed to impact the game. Won just one of his 12 duels and committed two fouls without having a single shot on goal.

Subs:

Wilson Odobert 5

Conceded a foul on the edge of the area for a lazy challenge, having failed to get goal-side.

Richarlison 7

Nearly made an immediate impact as his header his the post. Did more in a minute than Kolo Muani managed in 67.

Archie Gray 4

Could not get into the game, he took just four touches.

Unused subs: Kinsky, Dragusin, Danso, Davies, Scarlett, Williams-Barnett

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