Match Result: Villa 0 Spurs 4 (brilliant result)
Match Result: Villa 0 Spurs 4 (brilliant result)
What a ring-dinger of a result; well, in the second half, it was. The first half was a sort of repeat of the first half of the Palace game (but slightly better). Ange seems to see the lie of the land in the first half and then rearranges things for a winning way forward for the second half.
When we last played Villa – on our ground – we were a better side, but they walked away with all the points. This time, we showed them who was the superior team and would be challenging for that illustrious fourth position. I am not saying it is beyond us to challenge Arsenic, the Bin-dippers or City, but it is very unlikely. City, are in third place, a point behind the other two, while we are 10 points below them. It would take some going to catch them up, and they will also have to have a bad run-in; it is very unlikely that the three will suddenly fall on their swords. Nevertheless, fourth place seems to be the position we will fight for until the end of the season.
We have a game in hand over fourth-place Villa (and a two-point difference—and a better goal difference, well, at least we do now, after yesterday!).
Anyway, we boosted our hopes of a top-four Premier League finish with an emphatic victory over 10-man Aston Villa at Villa Park (our first two goals were against an 11-man team).
This was an encounter billed as pivotal in the race for a spot in next season’s Champions League; early second-half goals from James Maddison and Brennan Johnson set us on our way.
Some will argue that a leg-weary Villa side, who played at Ajax on Thursday evening, rarely looked capable of clawing their way back into the contest because of that game. I say bollocks… as we were a better side last time we met – but unfortunately, we lost – and an even better side this time around, irrespective of what other games Villa had or didn’t have before our game. People will always use excuses to dent what was a superior moment.
We were in complete control throughout the game; stoppage-time goals from Son and Timo Werner only served to rub salt into Villa’s wounds.
Villa remain in fourth spot, but now they are only two points above us, and as I said, we have a game in hand.
Thoughts…
An underwhelming first period saw the teams cancel each other out, with Johnson’s low attempted cross from the left easily gathered by home goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, the closest thing to resembling a shot on target.
Pape Matar Sarr’s superb cross from the right which saw Maddison prod in shortly after the break. When home defender Ezri Konsa carelessly gave possession away deep in his own half, Johnson collected Son’s pass to double our lead.
As we watched the game, we couldn’t help noticing that the home stands were already emptying early in the ten added minutes; so much for loyalty and support.
Son swept home his 159th goal, providing Werner with an opportunity. His close-range shot found the right corner.
With Villa aiming to reach Europe’s elite club competition for the first time since they were defending champions in 1982-83, skipper McGinn labelled their meeting with us “the most important game in the club’s recent history” prior to kick-off.
In the first half, Villa continuously attempted to play on the counter-attack, but there were already signs that a fourth consecutive league victory might not be forthcoming for them. While they showed plenty of application, there was very little in the way of quality in the final third, and they were not helped by Ollie Watkins struggling off the back of an early kick from Micky van de Ven.
Granted, we enjoyed the benefit of a full week to prepare, but sharpness and greater intensity told after the break.
Sarr’s willingness to run beyond a high Villa defensive line to brilliantly supply Maddison sparked us into life.
Villa’s Konsa’s careless pass towards Youri Tielemans provided a further helping hand, as did McGinn’s red card, which told in the later stages, allowing us to pick Villa off to conclude a brilliant second-half display.
If we had won the games we should have won, we would be up there, challenging for the league title. Alas, fate stepped in and kicked us in the bollocks when we were having our good run at the beginning of the season. It was the Chelsea game – injuries and sending-offs – that put a dent into our hopes. Then, being removed from both the League and FA Cup competitions didn’t help either. Now, there is only a fourth spot to fight for, and I believe we can do it. Villa will have to make do with a Europa League place unless the 5th spot is given to the Champions League competition, but they are not our concern… but saying that, full credit though to Unai “Dick” Emery for entertaining us all those years ago… even though he has been dead once he seems to have managed to revitalise his bones into an even better comedian; I did love his Mandy character – “Oh, you are awful, but I like you!”. Enough of this frivolity!
Our next couple of games—Fulham, Luton, and the Spammers—are all winnable. They are games we must win if we want to be taken seriously as challengers for that important fourth spot.
All that said, it was a rainy, drenched day. Our walk from the car to the stadium saw us getting drenched. The walk back to our car after the game was better and more cheerful. A win always makes our journey back more delightful. Even though Mel (and Janet) were good company, you can’t beat a spanking good result to cheer one up! On the other side of the coin, we noticed the miserable faces of the Villa supporters.
COYS!
Glenn