Tottenham Hotspur inflicted a chastening 4-0 home defeat on 10-man Aston Villa as Ange Postecoglou’s men emphatically won this key battle in the race for Champions League qualification.
Sunday’s crunch clash between fourth and fifth was described in the build-up by Villa skipper John McGinn as “the most important game in the club’s recent history”.
Unai Emery’s men had the chance to move eight points clear of Spurs in the final guaranteed Champions League spot, but instead the hosts’ captain saw red in an embarrassing second-half collapse. Follow all the reaction below plus get the latest odds and tips for the match right here:
Son inspires Spurs to thrash ten-man Aston Villa in top-four chase
Sunday’s crunch clash between fourth and fifth was described in the build-up by Villa skipper John McGinn as “the most important game in the club’s recent history”.
Unai Emery’s men had the chance to move eight points clear of Spurs in the final guaranteed Champions League spot, but instead the hosts’ captain saw red in an embarrassing second-half collapse.
Karl Matchett10 March 2024 15:41
FULL-TIME: Aston Villa 0-4 Tottenham Hotspur
That’s a huge result for both sides, and one that puts Spurs firmly in control of the race for top four.
Villa stay in fourth on 55 points, though Spurs are now just two points behind and they have a game in hand. Their next three games are against Fulham, Luton and West Ham, while Villa face West Ham, Wolves and title-chasing Man City.
It’s hard to imagine anyone catching either side in the race for Champions League, with Manchester United languishing six points behind Spurs – Spurs also have a game in hand on United too.
Chris Wilson10 March 2024 15:15
FULL-TIME: Aston Villa 0-4 Tottenham Hotspur
FULL-TIME: The ref blows the whistle as we reach 100 minutes. This is Postecoglou’s biggest winning margin as Spurs manager, and their top four fate is firmly in their hands now.
A result which was perhaps unfair on Villa, but that can happen in the Premier League. They never really threatened Spurs, and it was game over once McGinn was sent off.
Chris Wilson10 March 2024 15:00
Aston Villa 0-4 Tottenham Hotspur
98 mins: Son is awarded a deserved man of the match. The captain has been at the centre of much of Spurs’ good play, and he’s now in the top five Spurs scorers of all time.
Chris Wilson10 March 2024 14:58
Aston Villa 0-4 Tottenham Hotspur
96 mins: In the midst of all those goals, there were 10 minutes added on. We’re into the seventh, and many home fans have left.
Spurs continue to knock the ball around, relatively untroubled.
Chris Wilson10 March 2024 14:55
GOAL! Aston Villa 0-4 Tottenham Hotspur
94 mins: GOAL! Very harsh on Villa, but the home side seem to have given up.
Bentancur carries the ball on the right wing and turns well before laying off Son. The captain surges into the box and lays the ball off for Timo Werner, who finishes well into the opposite corner of the net.
Chris Wilson10 March 2024 14:54
GOAL! Aston Villa 0-3 Tottenham Hotspur
90 mins: GOAL! Son finishes it off. Kulusevski and Porro combine for a one-two on the right wing, and the Swede surges into the box. His ball is fizzed across to Son near the penalty spot, and the Spurs captain blasts it past Martinez into the roff of the net.
Chris Wilson10 March 2024 14:51
Aston Villa 0-2 Tottenham Hotspur
89 mins: CLOSE! Hojbjerg does well to skip past a challenge and faint another one, and he releases Son. His ball into the box almost gives Kulusevski a greta chance, but it;’s deflected and goes wide.
Chris Wilson10 March 2024 14:48
88 mins: Villa play it long to Watkins, whose touch to take it down is brilliant, but his cross goes straight out for a goal kick.
Chris Wilson10 March 2024 14:46
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