Aston Villa survived a late scare to march into the fifth round of the FA Cup as they eliminated Tottenham Hotspur with a 2-1 victory at Villa Park on Sunday evening.
The result means that Aston Villa remarkably progress into the fifth round of the FA Cup for the first time in a decade, while Spurs crash out of a second cup competition in a matter of days.
Aston Villa made the ideal start to the match as Jacob Ramsey's left-footed strike found the back of the net following a goalkeeping error from Antonin Kinsky, leaving Spurs with a mountain to climb after just 57 seconds - the exact opposite of what they needed after their lacklustre performance in the 4-0 defeat to Liverpool in midweek.
The opening stages of the second half were much the opposite, with Tottenham taking control of the match and creating more in an attacking sense, but their efforts were soon crushed when Morgan Rogers was quickest to react to Pedro Porro's attempted clearance, with the midfielder smashing in the second for the hosts just after the hour mark.
Tottenham attempted a late comeback as Mathys Tel scored on his debut with a superb volley in the 91st minute, but Aston Villa stood firm to hold their lead and secure the victory.
SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT
Aston Villa were absolutely exceptional in every aspect of their performance this evening, particularly impressing with their high-energy pressing and attacking football, while also demonstrating their ability to control possession and patiently wait for openings.
Unai Emery will be absolutely delighted with his side, especially considering they started without the likes of Ollie Watkins and had just one fit central defender in Ezri Konsa, who himself came off early in the game due to injury.
The introduction of Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio should serve as a warning to other teams in the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League that Villa are not to be taken lightly, with their squad depth brimming with enough talent to give any team in Europe a stern challenge.
In stark contrast, the pressure does not stop mounting on Ange Postecoglou and his Spurs side, suffering their second elimination from a cup competition in the same week, having been dumped out of the EFL Cup by Liverpool in midweek.
The performance, particularly in the first half, was simply not good enough, showing little bravery to make a tackle and a shocking lack of creativity and belief on the ball - two factors that should be consistent in a Postecoglou system.
ASTON VILLA VS. TOTTENHAM HIGHLIGHTS
Jacob Ramsey goal vs. Tottenham (1st min, Aston Villa 1-0 Tottenham)
We're off to a flyer! ⚡️
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) February 9, 2025
Jacob Ramsey scores for @AVFCOfficial inside a minute 😳#EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/LjYdazblUZ
What a start for Villa, Ramsey fires them ahead!
Rogers sweeps the ball to the left wing, where Ramsey has been left in plenty of space as the Tottenham players have been caught out higher up the pitch.
The midfielder takes one touch to get into the box and fires a left-footed shot straight at Kinsky, but the keeper makes a mess of it, failing to get his body behind the shot and deflecting it into his own net.
Morgan Rogers goal vs. Tottenham (64th min, Aston Villa 2-0 Tottenham)
Of course it's Morgan Rogers for @AVFCOfficial 🥶
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) February 9, 2025
The @England star has deserved that goal 🏴#EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/BJqOu9BE26
Aston Villa double their lead, Rogers is on the scoresheet!
The hosts win the ball back just inside their own half and quickly turn defence into attack, pushing the ball forward and into the box with Leon Bailey on the right side.
The winger waits for Donyell Malen's overlap, and the striker fires the ball across the box where Porro initially clears, but Rogers reacts quickest and smashes into the net.
Mathys Tel goal vs. Aston Villa (91st min, Aston Villa 2-1 Tottenham)
It's a debut goal for @SpursOfficial's Mathys Tel ⚪️
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) February 9, 2025
A beautifully taken volley 🤌#EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/FhuX47NsKE
Tel pulls one back for Tottenham, is the comeback on?
Tottenham work the ball around their midfield inside the Aston Villa box, working the ball wide to Dejan Kulusevski on the right side, with the midfielder playing a one-two and looking to put the ball in the box.
Kulusevski's cross is a dangerous one, and Tel brilliantly flicks the ball with the outside of his right boot to divert it into the bottom right corner and give Spurs a lifeline.
MAN OF THE MATCH - MORGAN ROGERS
© Imago
Rogers has been a sensation since joining Aston Villa, especially this season, and the midfielder was at his electrifying best this evening, creating the first and scoring the second to sink Spurs.
The attacking midfielder was virtually unstoppable on the ball, breezing past Tottenham's midfielders on several occasions as he single-handedly turned defence into attack.
Multiple other Aston Villa players also deserve mention, with the likes of Ramsey, Youri Tielemans, Malen and many others all producing fantastic performances as the hosts deservedly won the match.
ASTON VILLA VS. TOTTENHAM MATCH STATS
Possession: Aston Villa 52%-48% Tottenham
Shots: Aston Villa 16-11 Tottenham
Shots on target: Aston Villa 7-5 Tottenham
Corners: Aston Villa 4-5 Tottenham
Fouls: Aston Villa 11-17 Tottenham
BEST STATS
Morgan Rogers for Aston Villa:
— StatMuse FC (@statmusefc) February 9, 2025
20 G/A
13 Goals
7 Assists pic.twitter.com/hzq5LfvBPr
Dejan Kulusevski has 19 G/A this season.
— StatMuse FC (@statmusefc) February 9, 2025
The most he's ever had in a single season. pic.twitter.com/h9F7mmze6v
WHAT NEXT?
Aston Villa's attention will now return to the Premier League, with three home games awaiting them as Ipswich Town, Liverpool and Chelsea visit the Villans at Villa Park.
As for Tottenham, they will now begin preparations for a crucial Premier League matchup with fellow strugglers Manchester United at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday.
Ellis Stevens
