- Aston Villa started New Year with a bang as they defeated Tottenham Hotspur.
- Emiliano and Douglas Luiz scored second-half goals to put Villa in control.
- Aston Villa never had a defensive issue thanks to a solid defensive effort.
Aston Villa, a mid-table team, kicked off the new year by defeating higher-ranked Tottenham Hotspur in a Premier League game on Sunday.
Emiliano Buendia and Douglas Luiz’s goals in the second half gave Villa the lead, as Tottenham failed to generate many clear-cut opportunities—only managing two shots on goal the whole game.
After a scoreless first half, Villa took the lead in the 50th minute when Ollie Watkins set up Emiliano Buenda for a close-range goal to start the scoring in north London. After 73 minutes, Douglas Luiz was set up for the second goal by John McGinn, who also provided the assist. The Brazilian coolly flicked the ball home to double the advantage for the visitors.
Aston Villa never had a defensive issue thanks to a solid defensive effort, and Unai Emery’s team returned home with their first clean sheet under his leadership.
Ollie Watkins’ missed opportunity gave Villa an early advantage, although the majority of the opening frame was played in front of the two defences, primarily in the Villa half as the Spurs looked for a way through their crowded ranks.
Five minutes before halftime, Tottenham did manage to create a chance, but Ivan Perisic clipped a cross to the back post, where Harry Kane attempted to head it in, but Ashley Young just about cleared it off the line.
Hugo Lloris had hardly been put to the test by Villa during the first half, but that all changed as they rushed forward to take the lead early in the second half.
When the goalie couldn’t stop Luiz’s long-range shot, the quick-thinking Watkins responded to set up Buenda for an easy first-time finish. Spurs nearly equalised when Perisic poked over the crossbar after receiving a cross from Yves Bissouma.
After 73 minutes, the visitors, who had been appearing the more threatening of the two teams, shocked the crowd with a second goal. A perfectly weighted back pass from the Villa captain was intercepted by Luiz as he raced into the box and casually flicked the ball past Lloris. Luiz had just delivered the ball into McGinn.
Aston Villa now sits in 12th place after their victory with 21 points from 17 games, one point behind Crystal Palace (22) and two back of Brentford (23).
Tottenham suffers a setback as a result, falling to fifth place with 30 points after 17 games. As a result of their setback, Liverpool (28 points) now have the chance to pass them if they defeat Brentford on Monday.
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