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Tottenham Hotspur finally made it two in two in 2026 with their 2-1 win over Aston Villa, after going 118 days without a victory, thanks to strikes from Conor Gallagher and Richarlison.

Let us take a look at the five things we learned.

Tottenham are out of the relegation zone

Coming into tonight’s encounter, the task for Tottenham Hotspur was simply to pick up a victory against Aston Villa, as that would see them leave the drop zone.

A loss would simply not have cut it for Spurs, as it would have left them languishing in 18th with three games to go, and would have let West Ham United off the hook following their 3-0 defeat to Brentford.

Roberto De Zerbi’s men stuck to the task and delivered arguably their best performance under the Italian since he took charge.

Not only was this Spurs’ best display of the year, but the win has also seen Tottenham climb out of the relegation zone, now sitting 17th with three games to go.

That victory also puts Spurs in control of their own destiny as we reach the business end of the season – win all your remaining games and Premier League status is secured.

Spurs create from width and aggressive midfield press

There is no denying that Spurs have a long list of injuries to contend with, as nine players were missing from this clash with Villa.

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The injury Xavi Simons picked up last time out only compounded Spurs’ misery, as they lost their last natural central creator, raising questions over how De Zerbi would adapt.

However, rather than change formation, he stuck with his usual setup and instead looked to create from wide areas, with Randal Kolo Muani and Mathys Tel driving at defenders and picking passes, while the second goal came from a wide delivery by the Frenchman.

Alongside that, Tottenham pressed high and aggressively, forcing errors, winning the ball high up, and allowing them to find attackers quickly without relying on a traditional playmaker.

That enabled them to move the ball forward with ease, without needing moments of individual brilliance in midfield. It worked superbly for Spurs, and De Zerbi showed exactly why he was so highly sought after by Tottenham.

Conor Gallagher delivers standout Spurs performance

It is not surprising that Conor Gallagher produced his best performance in a Spurs shirt, given Tottenham’s setup against Aston Villa.

De Zerbi clearly played to his strengths with an intense pressing system, and the midfielder responded superbly – scoring, pressing high, forcing errors, winning duels in midfield, and driving play forward.

Spurs need fight and character in this battle, and Gallagher showed exactly that with his display, one that sets a strong platform to build from.

Rodrigo Bentancur key as Tottenham midfield takes control

Midfield often wins you games, and Tottenham’s dominance in that area was clear throughout the evening.

The coordinated press from the first minute cut off passing lanes into Villa’s midfield, forcing them long, while Spurs were able to find their own midfielders with ease, with Rodrigo Bentancur and Joao Palhinha excelling in the pivot.

Bentancur, in particular, has galvanised Tottenham since his return, showing composure, rarely being dispossessed, and releasing passes at the right moments.

His influence has been consistent regardless of his partner, and it is no surprise Spurs’ improved form has coincided with his return, although he was forced off with a knock late on. Tottenham will now be hoping it is nothing too serious.

Djed Spence covers in attack as Spurs depth tested

With nine players sidelined, Tottenham remain very short in attack, with just three fit senior forwards in Randal Kolo Muani, Richarlison and Mathys Tel.

Tonight highlighted that lack of depth, as full-back Djed Spence was introduced in place of Kolo Muani with 25 minutes to play.

The versatile left-back did not slot into a defensive role, instead moving straight into the right-wing position Muani had been occupying.

Should any further injuries hit the front line, it could quickly become panic stations in terms of finding replacements.

However, that does not necessarily have to be the case, as De Zerbi could look towards the Tottenham U21s for additional wide options.

Even if they are not ready to start, having them on the bench could boost confidence and provide Spurs with natural wing alternatives.

The full-time whistle has been blown in the match between Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur at Villa Park, and it is time for our player ratings.

Tottenham Hotspur made it back-to-back wins in the Premier League for the first time in 2026 with their victory over Aston Villa. This result has now seen Spurs leave the relegation zone with three games to play.

Let us take a look at how the individual players got on.

Tottenham player ratings vs Aston Villa

Antonin Kinsky – The Czech international was barely tested in the first half, and it was more of the same in the second half, with most of Villa’s efforts being blocked before reaching the goalkeeper. He was excellent with his feet throughout, though, which is exactly what De Zerbi needs. Late on, Villa managed a consolation as they pulled one back, and there was nothing Kinsky could do. 7.5.

Pedro Porro – We saw him in the first half play less in a traditional role, instead tucking into midfield and helping to progress the ball to the attacking players, keeping Spurs ticking. In the second half, his role was more conservative as he rarely ventured forward, with Spurs protecting their two-goal lead. 8.

Kevin Danso – The centre-back stuck to his task well in the first half, where he was not scared to push up the pitch and put in tackles before Villa players reached the box. It was more of the same in the second half, as he maintained his aggression in tackles and continued to press high when needed. 8.5.

Micky van de Ven – After a quiet first half where the Dutchman had little to do defensively, the second half brought more intensity from Unai Emery’s side, who managed to get in behind more often, but van de Ven’s pace bailed Spurs out. 8.

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Destiny Udogie – In the first half, the full-back was very adventurous, bombing forward, inverting and overlapping. In the second half, that happened far less, as he played more conservatively with Tottenham looking to secure the win. 7.5.

Joao Palhinha – The Portuguese came close to scoring in the first half with a long-range effort, but was denied by both Emi Martinez and the upright. In the second half, we saw more of his ball-winning ability in midfield, where he made key interceptions, tackles and blocks. 8.5.

Rodrigo Bentancur – It was a complete display from the Uruguayan from the first half until he was substituted in the second half. The Tottenham star showed composure in midfield with his short passing, helping to keep things ticking, while also being aggressive in the tackle and winning several duels. 8.5.

Conor Gallagher – It was more of the same from the Englishman after a superb first half, where he pressed from the first minute and scored the opener. In the second half, Gallagher picked up where he left off, pressing with intensity. 9.

Mathys Tel – In the first half, his standout moment was his assist for Spurs’ second, which Richarlison finished in style. He could have done more with the ball at times, as he held onto the ball too long when teammates were available. In the second half, chances were not as plentiful, but he still offered width and an outlet. 8.

Richarlison – A solid performance from the Brazilian, who scored Tottenham’s second in the first half with a thumping header after meeting Mathys Tel’s cross. In the second half, chances were limited, but he continued to press and work for the team. 8.

Randal Kolo Muani – A much-improved performance from the Frenchman compared to his last two outings under Roberto De Zerbi. In the first half, we saw direct, creative wing play, which helped Spurs apply pressure. He also contributed in pressing and closing down. He ran out of energy in the second half, which was evident during a counter-attack when he made a poor decision, and was later replaced by Djed Spence. 7.5

Substitutes

Yves Bissouma – Replaced Rodrigo Bentancur and slotted straight into midfield, ensuring Spurs maintained control in the centre of the pitch. 7.

Djed Spence – Offered width on the right after replacing Randal Kolo Muani. He was a willing runner, got into the box on a few occasions and had a shot ruled out for offside. 7.

Pape Matar Sarr – Returned from injury and got a few minutes off the bench after replacing Richarlison late in the second half. N/A.

The half-time whistle has blown in the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Tottenham Hitspur, and it’s time for our player ratings.

Tottenham Hotspur head into the break leading 2-0 at Villa Park after a display of high intensity and purpose, and are now out of the bottom three, sitting in 17th place as they look to capitalise on West Ham’s defeat on Saturday.

Let us take a look at how the individual players got on:

Antonin Kinsky – The Czech international has barely been tested in this encounter, with Villa not managing a single shot at goal. 6.

Pedro Porro – The rotation on display in the first half has been impressive. While Porro is lined up as a right-back, he often drifts into central areas to give Tottenham more bodies in the middle. He has been tidy with the ball, always looking to progress the ball with forward passes. 7.

Kevin Danso – The centre-back’s long throw led to the opening goal as Spurs won the second ball. He also helped Tottenham maintain their high press, often applying pressure as high as the halfway line, and has covered for Porro when he ventures forward. 7.5.

Micky van de Ven – The Dutchman has had little to do defensively, but he is not afraid to push up and apply pressure high up the pitch. 7.

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Destiny Udogie – The full-back was superb when marshalling Sancho on Spurs’ left, not giving him a sniff, while showing good strength and pace. He also looked to contribute to attacks, overlapping and inverting when needed. 7.

Joao Palhinha – The Portuguese could well have made it 2-0 for Spurs after he let fly from range, only for Martinez to push his strike onto the upright to keep the scoreline at 1-0. 8.

Rodrigo Bentancur – He has played his midfield role to perfection in the first half, keeping things ticking in the middle of the park with minimum fuss. Superb from the Uruguayan. He did pick up a booking late in the half. 8.

Conor Gallagher – We saw exactly why he continues to be selected ahead of Lucas Bergvall and Archie Gray, as his pressing from the front forced Villa into an early mistake, although Tottenham failed to make it count. The Englishman then opened the scoring with a low, driven strike from range, leaving Martinez with no chance. 9.

Mathys Tel – The Frenchman is in for Xavi Simons on the left and is operating as a traditional winger. He has looked really good in his role, although he often holds onto the ball for too long. He did get the assist for Richarlison’s goal with a wicked delivery following a corner. 8.

Richarlison – Had a good chance early on after Tottenham pinched the ball high up following a loose pass from Emi Martinez, but his effort was blocked. He eventually found the back of the net with a thumping header following a wicked delivery from the right by Tel. 8.

The Tottenham Hotspur starting line-up for the Premier League match against Aston Villa has been confirmed ahead of kick-off.

Tottenham Hotspur are back in Premier League action this evening as they take on Unai Emery’s Aston Villa side.

The Lilywhites remain embroiled in a relegation scrap, but this evening presents a perfect opportunity to leapfrog West Ham United into 17th after their 3-0 defeat to Brentford on Saturday, making victory crucial.

A defeat for Spurs, however, will keep them in the bottom three with three games left to play, which will be far from ideal in their battle for survival.

Tottenham injury woes deepen ahead of Aston Villa clash

Roberto De Zerbi now has to rely on a small group of players following the latest injury knocks that have hit his side.

Xavi Simons and Dominic Solanke became the latest names to join the treatment table after picking up injuries in the 1-0 win at Wolverhampton Wanderers last time out.

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Simons has suffered an ACL injury and will miss the rest of the season, while Solanke’s return remains uncertain, with reports suggesting his campaign could also be over.

That means the pair join Mohammed Kudus, Dejan Kulusevski, Ben Davies, Cristian Romero and Wilson Odobert as players with long-term injuries who are out for the season.

Destiny Udogie is now back in the matchday squad, while Guglielmo Vicario remains out following his hernia operation.

James Maddison is once more included in the squad, as De Zerbi aims to keep the Englishman close to the group.

This is the Tottenham team which takes to the field at Villa Park tonight:

Aston Villa: Martinez; Cash, Lindelof, Mings, Maatsen; Bogarde, Tielemans; Sancho, Barkley, Rogers; Abraham.

Subs: Bizot, Konsa, Buendia, Watkins, Digne, Torres, Garcia, Luiz, Bailey.

Tottenham XI: Kinsky; Pedro Porro, Danso, Van de Ven, Udogie; Palhinha, Bentancur; Kolo Muani, Gallagher, Tel; Richarlison.

Subs: Austin, Dragusin, Bissouma, Maddison, Gray, Bergvall, Spence, Sarr, Souza.

Spurs must lean on Villa Park record despite setbacks

Spurs will certainly be hoping the XI they have put together will be enough as they chase three crucial points.

The hope for Tottenham will be they maintain their impressive record at Villa Park, having won eight of their last ten visits, as doing so could see them put their destiny in their own hands.

Ahead of the match, head coach De Zerbi has already issued a rallying call, urging his players to rise to the occasion and play with intensity and desire. Hopefully, they do so tonight.

Barcelona have turned their attention to a senior Tottenham star, and this is having a significant impact on the summer plans at Inter Milan.

Some of the biggest clubs around Europe are circling over Tottenham’s stars, potentially eyeing bargain deals if the Lilywhites get relegated from the Premier League.

Reports from Spain have suggested that Barca could be doing some groundwork on potential discount deals from Tottenham.

A senior Tottenham star, who has been widely tipped to leave the North London club, is on the Catalan club’s wishlist.

Barcelona’s interest in Tottenham’s Cristian Romero is causing nerves at Inter Milan

A couple of days ago, it emerged that Barca had identified Cristian Romero as a ‘Plan B’ if they are priced out of a move for Alessandro Bastoni.

According to a new report in Sport (as relayed by Sport Witness), the La Liga giants’ interest in the Tottenham captain has led to ‘concern’ and ‘nervousness’ at Inter Milan.

The Italian club were planning to hold talks with Barca regarding Bastoni, with the Nerazzurri demanding €60m (£51.8m) for the Italy international.

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However, Barca do not want to pay more than €50m (£43.1m) and would prefer to include one of their players as part of the deal.

Inter now fear that Bastoni’s sale may be jeopardised if they take a strong stance, as that would force Hasni Flick’s men to prioritise a deal for Romero instead.

How much are Spurs expected to demand for Romero?

Sport say that the Argentine centre-back’s price is less than what Inter are demanding for Bastoni, but they do not specify how much Tottenham are demanding.

The outlet claims that Romero is keen on making a switch to Camp Nou, and is waiting to see if Barca make a move for him.

Tottenham Hotspur may have to reconsider their plans for Guglielmo Vicario and their pursuit of James Trafford following the latest update regarding the Manchester City goalkeeper’s future.

Trafford’s return to City has not gone the way the young goalkeeper would have hoped, with the 23-year-old being backed to exit the Etihad Stadium this summer in search of regular first-team football.

Tottenham have identified Trafford as a target to replace Guglielmo Vicario, who is expected to return to the Serie A this summer.

It has been reported that Newcastle and Aston Villa are ready to challenge Spurs for the Man City man, and one of them could be about to make a decisive move.

Aston Villa ready to step up pursuit of Tottenham target James Trafford

Football Insider now reports that Villa are set to step up their chance of the former Burnley goalkeeper amid fresh fears over Emiliano Martinez’s departure.

The website reveals that Inter Milan are keen on striking a deal for Martinez, with the Villans expecting the Nerazzurri to make an offer for their number one.

Unai Emery is said to have identified Trafford as a ‘readymade replacement’ for the Argentine goalkeeper, with the Villa hierarchy also fans of the England international.

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The Midlands club’s recruitment team are now ready to ‘begin pressing towards a deal’ for the 23-year-old as they go about strengthening their squad ahead of their expected return to the Champions League next season.

Inter Milan’s interest in Martinez could impact Spurs’ summer plans

This story may have multiple repercussions for Tottenham as Inter have reportedly held talks with Vicario over a summer switch to the San Siro.

In fact, the Serie A giants have been named as the Spurs goalkeeper’s most likely destination, with Vicario even alleged to have agreed personal terms with Inter.

Micky van de Ven is attracting interest from two of the biggest clubs in the Premier League, but he is not yet ruling out staying at Tottenham Hotspur.

Over the last few months, some outlets have suggested that Van de Ven’s head has been turned ahead of the summer window after some of the biggest clubs in Europe expressed their interest in the centre-back.

Spurs Web even relayed a report last month claiming that the Dutchman is signalling with his off-field antics that he expects to leave this summer.

Last week, it emerged that Man United had set their sights on a deal for Van de Ven, and they have now been joined by their fierce rivals in the transfer race.

Liverpool and Man United ‘on alert’ regarding Micky van de Ven’s Tottenham future

CaughtOffside now say that as the Netherlands international gets set to make a decision on his future, Man United and Liverpool are both keeping a close eye on his situation.

Both the Reds and the Red Devils are said to be keen on reinforcing their backline, with Van de Ven featuring near the top of their list.

The Dutchman’s experience in the Premier League, allied with the possibility that he could be available if Spurs get relegated, has put both giants ‘on alert’.

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It is suggested that it could be tricky for Tottenham to persuade the 25-year-old to stay, even if they stay up, but the central defender will not come cheap.

The North London club could demand £60m-£80m for Van de Ven, who is contracted to Tottenham until 2029.

Van de Ven is yet to make a final decision on his Spurs future

CaughtOffside make it clear that several sources have reiterated that the former Wolfsburg man has not made a decision on his future just yet.

Van de Ven has not held talks with any club and remains fully focused on helping Tottenham remain in the Premier League.

Louis Saha has now identified a Tottenham star as a potential target for Man United as uncertainty grows over his future in North London.

Over the past couple of months, several Tottenham Hotspur stars have been linked with moves away from north London as Spurs continue to battle for survival.

There is a feeling that, should Nottingham Forest and West Ham manage to finish above the dotted line come gameweek 38, there could be a mass exodus of players from Spurs.

Spurs Web has already highlighted ten players who could depart Tottenham this summer, and on that list is pacy centre-back Micky van de Ven, who has been attracting interest from a host of clubs.

Louis Saha urges Man United to consider buying Micky van de Ven from Tottenham

Manchester United, Liverpool and even Barcelona have expressed interest in van de Ven in recent months. Reports have even indicated that van de Ven’s actions of late are hinting at the centre-back planning for life outside Spurs.

Now, former Manchester United forward Louis Saha has urged his former club to consider a move for the Dutch defender, explaining his stance in an interview with Tooniebet.

He said, “Van de Ven is definitely one to consider if he becomes available. He has the potential to improve and, alongside players like Martinez or Maguire, that could be a very strong combination.

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“He has made some mistakes this season, but that is part of his development. I do not think defence is the priority for United, but a player like him would still be worth looking at.”

Spurs face fight to keep Micky van de Ven amid growing interest

It is no surprise to see Micky van de Ven attracting interest from sides across Europe. The centre-back is only 25 years old and possesses blistering pace, which is an asset to any football club.

But should he leave Tottenham, he will not be going on the cheap. Reports have claimed that Spurs will demand a fee in the region of £100 million for the Dutch centre-half.

However, it could look very different should Tottenham beat the drop and secure a Premier League berth next season, with four games to go.

Two Tottenham youngsters could come up against each other in the League Two playoff final later this month.

While Spurs are understandably preoccupied with securing their place in the Premier League, some of the club’s youngsters have also been playing for huge stakes out on loan.

Luka Vuskovic returned from his injury on Saturday, coming on as a substitute to help Hamburg win over Eintracht Frankfurt and secure their place in next season’s Bundesliga.

However, the real drama involving Spurs loanees happened in the EFL, where there was an almighty tussle for the playoff spots.

Tottenham duo Tyrese Hall and Alfie Dorrington could face off in League Two playoff final

Tottenham academy duo Tyrese Hall and Alfie Dorrington both saw their loan clubs secure play-off spots in League Two on the final day of the season.

Hall came off the bench as a second-half substitute for Notts County, who ended their campaign with a 1-1 draw at home against Bristol Rovers.

While Notts started the day with the hope of securing automatic promotion, they will now have to settle for a playoff clash with Chesterfield.

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Meanwhile, Dorrington’s Salford City ended the campaign with a 0-0 draw against Crawley, which means that they finished fourth are set to take on Grimsby Town in the play-offs.

Should Salford and Notts win their respective semifinals, Dorrington and Hall will come up against one another in the playoff final at Wembley on Monday 25 May.

Spurs youngster wins League Two title

Another Tottenham youngster had an even better finish to his season in League Two, with Damola Ajayi’s Bromley clinching the title with a 3-1 win over Walsall on Saturday.

However, Damola did not feature in his side’s win on Saturday, with the winger returning to Tottenham with just 11 league appearances since his January loan switch.

Meanwhile, 19-year-old Spurs winger Oliver Irow had a strong end to the season with Mansfield Town, netting in the club’s final two games of their League One campaign, as they finished in 10th place.

Spurs’ youngsters are stepping into the spotlight, with a major occasion now lined up at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as the club’s U21s continue their impressive run.

The Tottenham Hotspur first-team squad has struggled on the pitch for most of this season, with their Premier League campaign leaving a lot to be desired.

Spurs are in the bottom three of the league and are also out of all domestic competitions, with the furthest they went in the cup runs being the Carabao Cup quarter-finals.

However, the Under-21s are not in a similar debacle, as they are making strides in their own competition, having now reached a major milestone in their division.

Tottenham U21s reach Premier League 2 semi-finals after Chelsea win

The Spurs Under-21s have now made it to the semi-finals of the Premier League 2 play-offs following their 3-1 win over Chelsea in the quarter-finals.

Wayne Burnett’s side advanced to the last four after a comeback win on Friday night, thanks to goals from Mason Melia, Reiss Russell-Denny and Leo Black at Kingsmeadow.

The PL2 side is now set to face one of the winners of Monday’s quarter-final between Brighton & Hove Albion and West Ham United.

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Interestingly, Tottenham fans can watch their young side take to the pitch at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, where the match is set to take place on Friday, 8 May.

This will be the first Under-21 match at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium since Spurs’ PL2 side won the Premier League 2 title via a play-off final victory over Sunderland in 2024.

Spurs youngsters set for big stage opportunity at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

This is a good opportunity for many Tottenham fans to see some of the club’s academy talent live in action, with the likes of Mason Melia, Tynan Thompson and Reiss Russell-Denny very likely to feature.

The players will certainly be hoping to be spurred on by the fans as they push for another Premier League 2 title, two years on from their last win.

Tottenham fans have certainly been strong in their support for the senior squad as they fight to avoid the drop, and if similar backing is given to the youngsters, it will be a proud moment for them.