Tottenham 1-2 Aston Villa: What Were The Main Talking Points As Villa Mount A Stunning Comeback In North London?

In what was an action-packed affair from north London on Sunday afternoon, Aston Villa mounted a stunning comeback as they secured a 2-1 victory against Tottenham.

While Spurs might have come flying out of the traps here as Giovani Lo Celso powered home the opener midway through the first-half, Ange Postecoglou’s side suffered another worrying collapse.

With Villa dragging themselves level just seconds before the half-time break as Spanish international defender Pau Torres produced a smart header, it was Unai Emery’s side who made a real top-four statement after returning from the break.

With Tottenham dealing with a string of injury and suspension woes, Unai Emery’s side certainly cashed in as the red-hot Ollie Watkins notched his seventh Premier League strike of the season on the hour mark.

Skyrocketing their way into the Champions League spots and now suffering just a single top-flight defeat since the start of September, Sunday’s guests are riding a famous wave of momentum.

However, despite enjoying what was a record-breaking start to the new campaign earlier in the year, Sunday’s 2-1 loss in north London means that Spurs have now lost each of their previous three Premier League appearances on the bounce.

On an afternoon when Aston Villa made a major Champions League statement of intent, we have taken a look at the main talking points.

Aston Villa are a genuine Champions League contender

Sat firmly in pole position to punch their Europa Conference League ticket this season, Aston Villa are in the midst of what has become a famous purple patch in the Midlands.

Heading into November’s international break with a routine 3-1 romp at home against Fulham, Emery’s side have made it clear that they have their sights set on securing a first top-four finish since way back in 1996.

In fact, along with suffering just a single Premier League defeat since a 3-0 loss against Liverpool on September 3rd, the former Arsenal boss has also seen his high-flying squad win six of their previous seven appearances across all competitions.

Already mustering 28 points from their first 13 top-flight showdowns this season and picking up some heavyweight scalps, Emery’s side have also impressed with their free-scoring displays in the final third.

Really impressing with their clinical performances in the final third, Sunday’s eye-catching comeback in north London has certainly proven that Emery’s side are a genuine top-four candidate this year.

First questions will be asked of Postecoglou

While Postecoglou might have received a string of public praise since arriving in north London over the summer, it appears that the Australian tactician has his first real questions to answer.

Although the former Celtic boss made real history after winning each of the first three Manager of the Month awards, Postecoglou will certainly be concerned by a real collapse here.

Heading into November’s international break with another collapse as they slumped to an infamous 2-1 loss at the hands of Wolves, Tottenham have now lost each of their last three Premier League appearances on the spin.

Eventually getting blown away on November 6th as they were hit with a 4-1 drumming at home against London rivals Chelsea, Postecoglou’s squad have quickly come tumbling away from a muted title charge.

Although Spurs might have gained a real reputation for their free-flowing approach under Postecoglou, the 58-year-old will know the importance of plugging Tottenham’s leaky defence heading into a stacked winter schedule.

Watkins makes another statement in the capital

While the record-breaking Harry Kane might certainly be Gareth Southgate’s number-one striking option heading into new year’s European Championships, it has been Aston Villa’s attacking talisman who has stollen plenty of the Premier League’s headlines this season.

Rightfully rewarded with another call-up to the Three Lions’ squad during November’s international break, Watkins has quickly blossomed into one of Europe’s elite marksmen.

Bagging the winner here thanks to a slick second-half finish in north London, the one-time Brentford star has continued on a real free-scoring romp since opening up the 2023/24 campaign.

Finding the net in back-to-back showdowns prior to the fortnight interval, Watkins has already bagged seven Premier League strikes this season and has his sights set on a personal-best return.

Firing on all cylinders and receiving a host of praise from across the Premier League, the 27-year-old finds his stock at an all-time high.

Match Report

Tottenham: Vicario, Porro, Emerson, Davies, Udogie, Bentancur, Lo Celso, Gil, Kulusevski, Johnson, Son

Subs: Skipp, Veliz, Hojbjerg

Aston Villa: Martinez, Konsa, Carlos, Torres, Digne, McGinn, Luiz, Kamara, Cash, Diaby, Watkins

Subs: Bailey, Ramsey, Duran, Tielemans

Goals: Tottenham: Lo Celso (22’) – Aston Villa: Torres (45+7’), Watkins (61’)

Yellow Cards: Watkins, McGinn, Camara, Cash

Red Cards: N/A

Referee: Robert Jones