Aston Villa secured their place within the FA Cup fifth spherical with a 2-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur at Villa Park.
Regardless of a late scare from the guests, Unai Emery’s aspect delivered a dominant efficiency, creating quite a few probabilities and finally holding on to assert a well-deserved win.
The sport received off to a sensational begin for the hosts as Jacob Ramsey put Villa forward inside the opening minute.
Morgan Rogers’ incisive play in midfield noticed him glide previous three Spurs gamers earlier than threading a superbly weighted cross into Ramsey’s path.
The midfielder’s shot was straight at Tottenham goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky, however the younger stopper did not cope with it, permitting the ball to squirm by way of him and into the web.
Villa continued to dominate proceedings all through the primary half, making a string of probabilities.
Donyell Malen, Leon Bailey, Youri Tielemans, and Rogers all examined Kinsky, however Spurs by some means managed to keep away from additional punishment.
We exit the FA Cup. pic.twitter.com/DJAxB1oHOX
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) February 9, 2025
Tottenham, alternatively, struggled to create a lot in assault, with their greatest probability falling to Heung-min Son, who compelled a robust save from Emiliano Martinez halfway by way of the half. On the break, regardless of Villa’s management, the rating remained simply 1-0.
Tottenham got here out with extra intent within the second half, with Yves Bissouma, Dejan Kulusevski, and Son all having early efforts blocked as they sought a approach again into the sport.
Nevertheless, Villa maintained their attacking risk and have been lastly rewarded for his or her stress simply after the hour mark.
Malen performed a fast one-two with Bailey earlier than driving a low ball throughout the face of aim. Pedro Porro’s determined clearance fell straight to Rogers, who made no mistake from shut vary to double Villa’s lead.
Spurs, now chasing the sport, pressed ahead however have been wasteful in entrance of aim. Mathys Tel, Danso, and Son all had alternatives to tug one again.
Substitute Marcus Rashford had an opportunity to place the sport past doubt late on, however his heavy contact noticed the chance slip away.
As the sport entered stoppage time, Tottenham lastly discovered a breakthrough. Kulusevski whipped in a superb cross from the best, and Tel met it with a deft outside-of-the-foot volley, guiding the ball into the far nook.
The aim gave Spurs a glimmer of hope with 4 minutes left to play, however Villa held on to safe the win.
The win means Villa advance to the FA Cup fifth spherical for the primary time because the 2014-15 marketing campaign, once they reached the ultimate.
For Tottenham, nevertheless, it marks one other irritating exit from a home cup competitors, including to their current struggles underneath Ange Postecoglou.
Spurs’ incapability to take their probabilities and their defensive frailties as soon as once more proved expensive, leaving their hopes for silverware this season hanging by a thread.
