The visitors had tiptoed into north London after three defeats in four matches and just one goal scored. They leave with boosted morale, collectively and on the attack.
Conversely, nothing is going well for Tottenham, eighteenth before the other matches of the weekend, and whose record shows three defeats and two draws. The Spurs, however, gave reason for hope to their supporters during a lively first period, in which they multiplied the chances without managing to trouble goalkeeper Zion Suzuki.
Emiliano Martinez’s successor notably disgusted Savinho, twice in the same action (11th), then on a recovery triggered by the Brazilian winger from outside the area (21st). The Japanese had, just before, repelled a shot from Archie Gray.
Roberto De Zerbi’s team paid dearly for this lack of efficiency because Aston Villa, conversely, transformed one of their rare opportunities into a goal, just before half-time through Johan Manzambi (45th + 4, 1-0).
The 20-year-old striker, Swiss revelation of the World Cup, was in the right place to take a cross from French midfielder Boubacar Kamara, at a time when Tottenham’s captain and central defender, Micky van de Ven, was waiting on the sidelines after being treated.
Cursed Spurs? This was the feeling that also prevailed after Mohammed Kudus’ goal was invalidated by the VAR for an offside by his passer Andy Robertson (60th). Even De Zerbi, on the sidelines, smiled…
The Italian released his center forward Dominic Solanke for James Maddison but, in the process, it was Villa who scored again: a long clearance from Suzuki, a Manzambi-Jackson combination in the middle of four defenders and the Senegalese found the target (67th, 2-0).
The bill got tougher after a gem from Buendia (79th, 3-0), facing an apathetic defense, and thousands of supporters then left the stadium, disappointed.
The Spurs still saved the honor twice as the final whistle approached, by Conor Gallagher (86th, 3-1) and Jan Paul van Hecke (90th + 8, 3-2); their first goals scored in five days.
