LEAGUES: EPL

Aston Villa come back from behind to beat Spurs

by Tamojit Chakraborty November 26, 2023

Aston Villa grabbed a massive 2-1 win at Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday afternoon. Playing in front of their home fans, Tottenham were by far the better of the two sides as they raced off the blocks from the whistle. Just minutes into the game, Dejan Kulusevski struck the post before Giovani Lo Celso gave Spurs the lead with a thumping strike in the 22^nd minute. Son Heng-min then had a goal disallowed for offside before Pau Torres scored right on the stroke of half time with a brilliant header to restore parity.

The hosts then found themselves behind when Ollie Watkins scored with a neat finish in the 61^st minute before Son was denies twice by the offside flag. Pedro Porro hit the post late on as Emiliano Martinez made a string of superb saves to give Unai Emery’s side a famous win.

The result will come as a massive blow for Tottenham as this was their third successive defeat and the will now face reigning Champions Manchester City next week. Villa, meanwhile, will look to build on this victory as they travel to Bournemouth for their next assignment

As it happened

For live updates of Tottenham Hotspur hosting Aston Villa, stay on this page. After each key moment of the game, this page updates with the latest information for Sunday morning’s contest. It should be a dandy, as well. Tottenham may have dropped its two games entering the international break. However, it poses a major test for an Aston Villa side that occupies fifth in the Premier League table.

WHO	Tottenham Hotspur vs. Aston Villa
WHAT	English Premier League
WHEN	9:00am ET / 6:00am PT • Sunday, October 29, 2023
WHERE	USA, Telemundo, Fubo, DirecTV Stream, and Sling
FREE TRIAL	WATCH NOW

With such a strong start from Unai Emery’s side, this is a surprisingly enticing game. Tottenham was leading the league table before its back-to-back losses against Chelsea and Wolverhampton Wanderers. At the same time as Tottenham’s success, Villa has been thriving. In the side’s last eight games, it has one draw and one loss to go along with six wins. That helped the club climb the table. Still, a trip to North London presents a major challenge.

Tottenham Hotspur vs Aston Villa: Follow along for live updates

Unfortunately for Spurs fans, this is not a Tottenham side at its best. Injuries have been killer to a side that was a fantastic watch for neutrals. James Maddison and Micky van de Ven picked up injuries in the loss against Chelsea. Richarlison underwent a small surgery that is ruling him out, and a number of other Spurs stars are out. For example, Ivan Perisic is out for likely the entire season.

Aston Villa will not care, though. Instead, a weakened Spurs side presents an opportunity for Emery to pick up points against a key rival. Aston Villa only trails Tottenham by one point. A win would not only jump Tottenham in the table, but it would close the gap with the league leaders. One of, if not both, Manchester City and Liverpool will drop points this weekend when they play one another.

PHOTO: IMAGO

04:06PM

Full Time: Spurs 1-2 Aston Villa

Villa grab a huge win as Spurs lose their third consecutive game

03:59PM

90' There will be six minutes of stoppage time

Villa make a triple switch as they look to see out the game.

03:53PM

85' Son's goal is disallowed again for offside

After Porro hits the post, Son follows up to tap in but once again he is deemed offside.

Meanwhile, Veliz comes on for the brilliant Lo Celso

03:49PM

80' Can Villa hold on

We are into the last ten minutes. Vicario keeps his side in the game before Watkins heads wide. The Villa striker is shown the yellow for trying to delay the proceedings

03:42PM

74' Spurs make a switch

Skipp comes on for Gil. Martinez makes two great saves to preserve his side's lead.

03:38PM

70' Vicario denies Digne

The Spurs keeper is at full stretch as he denies Lucas Digne from a direct freekick.Watkins almost scores from the resulting corner.

03:36PM

68' Spurs come close

How was Ben Davies not scored. The defender fails to hit the target with his header from barely a yard out. What a chance.

03:30PM

61' Spurs 1-2 Aston Villa

It's a brilliant finish from Watkins as he puts his side ahead. Unai Emery would be delighted.

03:27PM

59' Son's goal disallowed

Johnson squares it for Son who taps home but for the second time this afternoon, the South Korean is denies by the offside flag

03:22PM

54' Spurs almost go ahead

Lo Celso cushions it for Kulusevski who plays a one-two with Son and squares it off for Brennan but the latter can't slide it home. Brilliant from the home side.

03:20PM

52' Villa go close

The substitute Leon Bailey takes a shot on goal and Vicario pushes it to the post and then gathers it. That was close.

03:18PM

46' Second half underway

The hosts get us underway

02:56PM

Half Time: Spurs 1-1 Aston Villa

What a game. Villa have clawed their way back despite being outplayed by Spurs. We will have a cracking second half.

02:54PM

45+7' Spurs 1-1 Aston Villa

Pau Torres scores the equalizer with a wonderful header from Luiz's corner. And we are level. The former Villareal defender atones for his previous mistake. VAR confirms and the goal stands.

02:53PM

45+5' Spurs survive

Porro gives it away just outside the box but Villa can't take advantage. That's a mighty let off for the hosts.

02:50PM

45' There will be six minutes of added time

Porro is receiving treatment after going down from Kamara's challenge. The Villa player, however, had made contact with the ball first.

02:47PM

43' Spurs goal ruled out for offside

Son finishes off a brilliant move but the South Korean had strayed offside during the buildup. Villa survive

02:45PM

41' McGinn gets a yellow

The Villa midfielder goes into the book after holding Hojberg's leg

02:41PM

38' Kamara goes into the book

Lo Celso is easily past Kamara and is brought down by the Villa player with a needless challenge. Earns a yellow.

02:38PM

35' Kulusevski comes close

The winger gets it on his favorite left foot and he cuts in to curl it just wide.

02:34PM

32' Hojberg replaces Bentancur

That's a nasty challenge from Cash on Bentancur and the midfielder hobbles off to be replaced by Hojberg

02:28PM

24' VAR rules Villa goal offside

And in a matter of seconds, Watkins heads home from Digne's brilliant cross from the left wing. But VAR takes a long time to check and chalks it off for offside.

02:26PM

22' Spurs 1-0 Aston Villa

What a hit from Lo Celso. An absolute thunderbolt from the left-footed midfielder past his national teammate Emiliano Martinez. It took a deflection off Luiz but that was a peach.

02:24PM

20' Son with a glorious opportunity

Gil floats in a beautiful cross from the left wing but Son can't get his head onto it to direct home.

02:22PM

16' Yet another chance for Spurs

Porro is through on goal but can't square it off for Johnson. he should have taken the shot himself.

02:19PM

15' Offside yet again

Kulusevski just strays offside from Bentancur's through ball. He was through one-on-one but Martinez saved it.

02:17PM

13' Spurs come close yet again

The offside flag spares Son's blushes as he can't tap home from close range. However, Brenan Johnson had strayed offside in the buildup from Porro's pass.

This has been a great watch so far

02:11PM

7' Martinez makes a good stop

Wonderful interplay from Spurs as Gil's shot is well saved by Martinez.

Both teams have started well

02:08PM

5' How haven't Villa scored

Pau Torres gets a free header on goal but his effort goes just wide.

02:06PM

3' Huge chance for Spurs

First Udogie is through on goal but can't find the target from Porro's ball. Digne then gives the ball away and Kulusevski hits the post. What a start that would have been for the hosts.

02:00PM