Hello! My name is Aaron McNicholas and I will be covering tonight’s Premier League clash between Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur.
This fixture takes place at Villa Park this evening following a late re-arrangement due to Tottenham’s involvement in the Europa League final on Wednesday 21st May. Spurs’ initial request to move the match had been rejected by tonight’s hosts, but the Premier League upheld the decision to push the game back several days after an appeal.
Ange Postecoglu’s side will undoubtedly have more than half an eye on the looming European final, especially considering their lowly league position. Distraction could leave them at the mercy of a potent Villa team, who on their day, can be exceptional.
Meanwhile, Unai Emery’s men start the night level on points with 5th placed Chelsea. Achieving a top five finish would grant The Villains Champions League football next term and with the league looking so tight this season, every point could make the difference.
Postecoglu has named an expectedly weakened side, aiming to rest weary legs ahead of their encounter with Manchester United on Wednesday. It’s hard to blame the Australian for it with Spurs already being safe from relegation and having experienced a torrid time with injuries this season.
Tonight’s team features three changes from their dismal performance at home against Palace. The most notable inclusion being the return of captain Heung-min Son on the left wing in place of Kulesevski, who underwent surgery just the other day.
Aston Villa on the other hand, send out a strong line up, aiming to excite home fans for the last time this season. Pau Torres and Ian Maatsen are introduced to the back line, replacing Tyrone Mings and Luca Digne. John McGinn is also thrown back into the fray, occupying the left wing in place of Jacob Ramsay.
1′: Michael Oliver, our referee tonight, blows the whistle and we are underway!
3′: A cautious start to the match as both sides feel their way into the game.
4′: Chance! A long ball struck over the top by Davies finds Son sprinting into space behind the Villa backline. The South Korean looks to get a shot off but it fails to threaten Martinez.
6′: Chance! A lofted cross from a roaming Pau Torres causes Kinsky to flap at the ball. Eventually Watkins picks up the ball in the box and unleashes a snapshot straight at the Spurs keeper.
7′: Chance! Spence is dispossessed inside Spurs’ own penalty area by John McGinn. The Scotsman lashes the ball goalwards but it rises over the bar and the Spurs defence can breath again. Strong start by Emery’s team.
10′: Chance! Quick interplay between McGinn and Maatsen down the left finds the Dutchman in space on the edge of the box. His shot is always rising and leaves Kinsky untroubled.
12′: Captain Son’s shot is deflected behind for a corner. He runs out to take it himself but the delivery swings in too far and leaves Martinez with an easy claim.
15′: Chance! Wilson Odobert breaks down the left for Spurs before waiting for support. It arrives in the form of Son, who cuts inside and unleashes a signature curling effort. Just too high this time, but he looks in the mood…
16′: Chance! A flowing counter attack from Tottenham culminates in Tel whipping the ball low across the box. A flourished flick of the back heel from Odobert sends the ball goal bound but a sprawling Martinez is level too it. Spurs have been resurgent in the last couple of minutes, especially on the breakaway!
Embed from Getty Images19′: Chance! Onana fires a cross into the corridor of uncertainty. The ball looks set to nestle into the goal but the outstretched hand of Kinsky claws the ball behind for a corner which comes to nothing.
20′: Ange Postecoglu has fielded four players under the age of 21 in starting line up tonight for the second time this season. Injuries have been a huge concern for him over the season but the youngsters have produced promising performances in previous match weeks, despite the generally poor results.
21′: Chance! The ball is fired towards Ollie Watkins in the area. His scuffed effort rolls into the waiting gloves of Kinsky.
23′: Yellow! Matty Cash is brought down around the half way line. Animatedly, the Polish international waves an imaginary card in the direction of Michael Oliver. Ironically this lands Cash in the referee’s book instead…
Embed from Getty Images25′: An air of tension is creeping into Villa Park as expectant fans grow frustrated at the lack of breakthrough. Spurs are more than holding their own and scuppering the plans of the brummies. Of course, if Villa fail to win tonight, Arsenal’s Champions League qualification will be confirmed. Don’t tell Spurs players that…
27′: Chance! A floated ball into the box is met by an audacious flick from Marco Asensio. The Spaniard’s acrobatics gain more cheers than the attempt itself…
29′: Chance! Asensio dances round three challenges before finding Watkins in the box but the striker sees his effort blocked. That has brought the Villa Park crowd to life once more!
Embed from Getty Images31′: Rogers and Maatsen enjoy a skill full interchange near the byline but the resulting cross sails beyond everyone.
32′: Villa are enjoying the vast majority of possession so far in the game. It seems Postecoglu’s side are content sitting deeper and springing counter attacks when they are able to seize possession.
33′: Chance! Villa work the ball into the box well but every player passes up on the chance to shoot despite the cries from the crowd!
34′: Yellow! Archie Gray scythes down Ollie Watkins inside his own half to stop an impending counter. It does however earn him the second yellow of the evening.
Embed from Getty Images36′: Chance! More magic from Asensio! The Spaniard shuffles across the box before ripping a curling effort just beyond the post of a very relieved looking Antonin Kinsky.
38′: Chance! A free-kick crossed into the middle finds a domineering Konsa rising to meet it’s flight. Unfortunately the header is less graceful and Spurs’ keeper gathers.
Embed from Getty Images40′: A failed cross from Villa unleashes another gut busting Tottenham counter led by their South Korean captain. The final pass is stray and no chance arrives.
43′: Aston Villa threaten again as pressure builds towards the conclusion of this first half. A drilled cross from their marauding left back is too close to the keeper, who collects the ball.
45′: More villa pressure as the screw tightens on the Tottenham defence. An Asensio corner finds Cash arriving at the back post but his header is directed towards the sky rather than the goal… Half time beckons.
Half-time! The match remains goalless at the break. Aston Villa have controlled possession and threatened most often, yet Tottenham look dangerous on the counter. An intriguing second half awaits!
Second half begins! Michael Oliver sets us away for the second period. With Spurs involved, surely this won’t end in stalemate…
48′: Marco Asensio carries on from where he left off. The playmaker jinks around several challenges and has his cross deflected for a corner. Kinsky claims with ease and initiates a Tottenham charge, but the Villa defence holds firm.
50′: It’s all got a bit petit at Villa Park momentarily. Konsa and Tell have a bit of a stand off after tussleing off of the ball. Reguillion and Onana also engage in a squabble over the ball.
52′: Substitution Pape Sarr winces as he leaves the pitch to be replaced by Yves Bissouma. Spurs fans will all be waiting with bated breath over whether yet another injury could impact the starting team on Wednesday. They need every man available…
54′: Emery is gesturing to his side to calm things down. I think he’s alone in his wishes… The crowd is loving this back and forth encounter. A goal would send the stadium into raptures!
56′: Tottenham piece together their longest spell of possession in the game, encamping around the Villa area. Spurs will still be hoping to dampen home hearts.
57′: Villa fans grow impatient as Cash refuses a chance to swing the ball into the middle. The desperation is growing in the stadium as spectators pray for Champions League football for another season.
Embed from Getty Images59′: Chance! The ball is worked to Maatsen who strikes a shot at goal. A flying Danso hurls himself in the way to give Villa another corner.
59′: Goooaaalllll!! Villa have broken the deadlock! The resulting corner is nodded down by Ollie Watkins, Konsa throws a boot at it and the ball rolls into the net. Shambles amongst the Tottenham defence.
Embed from Getty Images60′: Chance! Watkins takes the ball on the turn and manages to get a toe poke away under immense pressure from Davies. Antonin Kinsky is level to it this time. Tottenham need to weather this storm to stay in the match.
62′: Yellow! Tel has entered the referee’s book and left two Villa players rolling on the floor in pain after his challenge.
Embed from Getty Images63′: The home fans take the lull in play as an opportunity to belt out a powerful chant. They are trying to sing their way into the top four and it is working so far!
65′: A hopeful chip down the wing is taken under control of Mickey Moore. Maatsen clumsily brings him down to give Tottenham a free kick in a dangerous position. Can they muster some set piece magic of their own?
66′: No. Reguillon pelts the ball into the two man wall and Spurs are left with a throw in…
69′: McGinn picks the ball up on the right before dribbling his way infield… He snatches at the effort and drags his shot into the side netting!
Embed from Getty Images70′: Chance! Maatsen eases Moore of the ball and lofts a pass to Cash on the edge of the box. The right back tightens up and lashes the ball wide!
73′: Goooaaalllll!! Villa double their lead! Kamara drops the shoulder to send Bissouma the wrong the way before rocketing a strike beyond the despairing Kinsky into the bottom corner! That effort leaves Villa firmly in the driving seat.
Embed from Getty Images75′: Chance! Agonisingly wide from John McGinn! The Scottish international ventures inside from the left flank and curls his shot just past the post. This could get messy for Spurs who are starring down the barrel of their 21st defeat in the Premier League this campaign.
78′: Spurs have a rare foray into Villa’s half but Tel can’t sort his feet out and looses the ball. That has been an all too frequent occurence since his arrival in January.
79′: Chelsea and Manchester United are drawing nil-nil currently. As it stands, that would allow Emery’s side to leapfrog Chelsea into fourth spot if results stay the same.
82′: Danso gets in a tangle on his six yard box, nearly tripping over the ball and giving Villa a tap in third! The Austrian resolves his issue just in time and hacks the ball clear.
83′: The last time Villa conceded two goals at home was in February against this season’s champions, Liverpool. The odds are becoming increasingly stacked against a Spurs side that have struggled in this second half.
85′: The game slows and takes a chance to draw breath. Aston Villa knock the ball about their defence, biding their time. The fans pause and rest their vocal chords before the final choral offensive.
85′: Asensio continues to probe this flaking Spurs defensive unit. This time beating Tottenham’s full back but crossing too close to Kinsky.
86′: That could be Ollie Watkins’ last appearance for Aston Villa in their home stadium with speculation of a move swirling around the papers. What a difference he’s made for them in recent years!
89′: The game feels as though it may be petering out… I wonder, if Unai Emery approached Ange Postecoglu and offered his hand to end the match, the Australian may take him up on that offer. Avoiding injuries is the name of the game now for Spurs.
90′: Added time is given as being six minutes. Something neither manager wanted… Will Spurs push for one last chance?
92′: A lethargic looking Spurs give up possession, allowing Leon Bailey to burst forward with purpose. Spence does well to cover the winger and the ball runs out for a goal kick.
93′: Brennan Johnson skips down the right flank and searches for a teammate in the middle. All he can find is the stubborn hands of Martinez…
94′: Chance! Malen’s initial effort is blocked but returns to the feet of Rogers. The England international hits a firm effort but finds Danso in his way. Out for a corner.
95′: Asensio mimics Rogers’ intentions. His left footed strike calls the Tottenham keeper into action!
Full Time! Villa surge into the top four, dispatching a disappointing Tottenham Hotspur with ease. A dominant second half display saw Villa rack up chances, converting twice, while Spurs ended proceedings with just a single shot on target.
Ange Postecoglu will quickly shift attention to the Europa League final in a few days time. The Australian and Spurs fans alike will be champing at the bit to claim a first major trophy since 2008. Only time will tell if that is enough to spare Ange his job, as Tottenham limp towards the finishing line of their worst ever season in the Premier League era.
Embed from Getty ImagesConversely, Unai Emery will be delighted in his side’s confident performance. Aston Villa have won four of their last five games and are galloping towards Champions League qualification for next campaign. What a turnaround they have witnessed under Emery’s reign!
Embed from Getty ImagesThat concludes the coverage for tonight. If you’re a resident in Birmingham, enjoy your evening! If you’re Tottenham based, start crossing everything you have for a more impressive display on Wednesday… Goodnight!
