Sports
Premier League: Tottenham triumphs over Aston Villa with commanding 4-1 win
Tottenham Hotspur mounted an impressive second-half comeback on Sunday, securing a 4-1 victory over Aston Villa to close in on a top-four spot in the Premier League.
The match saw Spurs rally after Morgan Rogers initially put Villa ahead in the first half.
Spurs emerged with renewed vigor after the break, as Brennan Johnson scored the equalizer shortly after the restart.
Dominic Solanke then took charge, delivering a beautiful chip in the 75th minute to push Spurs into the lead, followed by another finish four minutes later from Richarlison’s cross.
James Maddison rounded off the scoring with a stunning free-kick deep into injury time.
This win boosts Tottenham to seventh in the league, just two points shy of Villa, who remain fourth after missing the chance to climb into the top three.
Ahead of the match, Villa players showed support for Spain’s flood victims by wearing “Fuerza Valencia” shirts, a tribute to Villa manager Unai Emery’s home country.
Captain Son Heung-min’s return added creativity for Spurs, who played with flair but struggled to capitalize until their second-half surge.
Rodrigo Bentancur’s shot from distance midway through the half landed on the roof of the net.
At the other end, Jacob Ramsey’s shot was deflected over the bar by Radu Dragusin before Amadou Onana headed against the post.
But seconds later Villa were ahead after Spurs failed to deal with Luca Digne’s corner, Rogers poking home after Guglielmo Vicario made an initial save.
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It was the only shot on target either side mustered in the first half, continuing Spurs’ habit of conceding first and emphasising their problems with dealing with set pieces.
Spurs could have been in deeper trouble had Ollie Watkins not skewed his shot wide shortly before half-time.
Postecoglou opted not to make changes at half-time and his side were level in the 49th minute when Johnson steered home Son’s inviting cross at the far post.
Minutes later Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez got a strong right hand to keep out Solanke’s close-range effort as Spurs suddenly found rhythm and intensity.
Villa captain John McGinn flashed just wide before Son was substituted — much to his surprise — as Postecoglou introduced Yves Bissouma and Richarlison.
The game became scrappy, with multiple injury breaks before Pape Sarr tried his luck from distance as Spurs continued to probe.
The game was there for the taking and Spurs seized the initiative, with Dejan Kulusevski finding Solanke, who finished cutely over the diving Martinez.
Minutes later Villa lost the ball in midfield and Spurs broke at pace, with Sarr feeding Richarlison, who crossed for Solanke to convert from close range.
Maddison made it 4-1 in the 96th minute, netting his 50th Premier League goal.