Tottenham droop to Villa defeat as prime 4 hopes undergo blow

Tottenham Hotspur’s hopes of regaining their place within the Premier League’s prime 4 had been scuppered as they suffered a demoralising 2-0 dwelling defeat towards Aston Villa on Sunday.

Antonio Conte’s lacklustre facet had been devoid of inspiration all through the competition and had been punished after the break by targets from Emiliano Buendia and Douglas Luiz.

Tottenham’s France keeper Hugo Lloris, taking part in his first sport since shedding the World Cup closing, was at fault for Buendia’s Fiftieth-minute opener. And when Luiz added a second within the 73rd minute, dwelling followers started streaming in the direction of the exits.

Chants towards Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy rang out and it might have gotten worse as Villa sauntered to solely a 3rd win of their final 22 Premier League clashes with the Londoners.

An excellent solution to begin the 12 months for @AVFCOfficial 👏#TOTAVL pic.twitter.com/mdUpiEiwik

— Premier League (@premierleague) January 1, 2023

Tottenham had been booed off on the closing whistle as defeat left them in fifth place with 30 factors from 17 matches, two factors behind Manchester United who’ve a sport in hand and 13 behind native rivals and leaders Arsenal.

Villa, who claimed a 3rd win in 4 league video games since former Arsenal supervisor Unai Emery changed Steven Gerrard in November, stay in twelfth place with 21 factors.

If any of the followers that braved transport issues to spend New Year’s Day on the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium wanted some further sleep, that they had ample alternative in a dreadful first half.

Tottenham had been gradual in possession and missing any attacking spark whereas Villa had been equally unadventurous.

Villa keeper Robin Olsen, who surprisingly stored his place forward of Argentina hero Emiliano Martinez, was untroubled and three yellow playing cards within the area of 10 minutes for Tottenham, together with one for returning World Cup winner Cristian Romero, was about the one speaking level for the opening 37 minutes.

Tottenham lastly created an opportunity when Ivan Perisic was performed by on objective and compelled broad by Olsen. Perisic managed to hoist a cross in the direction of Harry Kane whose weak header was on the right track however cleared off the road by a diving Ashley Young.

At least Tottenham averted trailing at halftime for a sixth match in a row however they fell behind for the seventh successive Premier League sport 5 minutes after the restart.

Lloris failed to collect a shot by Luiz and Ollie Watkins was alert to nip in and pick Buendia who slotted his shot contained in the submit to the enjoyment of the Villa followers.

Conte’s Tottenham facet have earned 14 factors from shedding positions this season and nearly responded when Perisic wasted a very good alternative for an equaliser.

But it was Villa who regarded extra threatening although and so they doubled their benefit when captain John McGinn threaded a ball in to Luiz who flicked a neat end previous Lloris.