In-form Aston Villa close on Champions League return with Tottenham victory
This was probably the biggest home banker of the campaign given where Spurs' focus lay, but Villa made hard work of it, needing second-half goals from Ezri Konsa and Boubacar Kamara to get the job done.
What a win for @AVFCOfficial as they continue their charge for a Champions League spot!#AVLTOT pic.twitter.com/7uqh1ccWoY
— Premier League (@premierleague) May 16, 2025
However, Chelsea's win over Manchester United later on Friday night means they have to win their final game of the season at Old Trafford and hope other teams, including Enzo Maresca's side and Manchester City, drop points.
Spurs could yet still be in the Champions League next season as well if they can end their trophy drought with Europa League victory over United and boss Ange Postecoglou did nothing to jeopardise that at Villa Park.
The embattled Australian made it clear where his focus was by naming a weakened side, which included a first Premier League start since 2022 for forgotten man Sergio Reguilon.
They never really looked like avoiding a 21st league defeat of a miserable league season, but all roads now lead to Bilbao where history could beckon.
Villa had an early flurry of chances as Ollie Watkins fired straight at Antonin Kinsky and John McGinn fizzed an effort just over.
But Spurs, and Son Heung-min in particular, showed – for a time at least – they were not here just to make the numbers up.
The South Korean is one of the players who is likely to play in Bilbao and he almost opened the scoring when he cut inside and whipped an effort just over the crossbar.
Son was again involved as Spurs went close once more, starting a move that saw Wilson Odobert cleverly flick Mathys Tel's cross goalwards, but Emiliano Martinez was equal to it, saving with his feet.
FEELS GOOD 😌 pic.twitter.com/9gvSdIEOT9
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) May 16, 2025
It was Kinsky who was then forced into a smart save as he got finger tips to Amadou Onana's cross that was sneaking into the far post.
Villa came forward with a wave of attacks, with Marco Asensio curling just wide from 20 yards and Konsa heading straight at Kinsky.
Frustrations were growing as the hosts floundered at the start of the second half but the tension was relieved as they finally made the breakthrough just before the hour.
Watkins rose highest from McGinn's corner and his knockdown was swept home by Konsa.
It was almost 2-0 60 seconds later but Kinsky got down well to keep out Watkins' effort.
Kamara did kill any jangling nerves in the 73rd minute when he unleashed a fierce low shot that was too hot to handle for Kinsky.
Villa saw it out to end their excellent home campaign with a record-extending 21st match unbeaten in all competitions, with goalkeeper Martinez, who has been linked with a move away, in tears at the end.
For Spurs, it is about going one more match this season without defeat.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Metro
15 minutes ago
- Metro
Oliver Glasner speaks out after 'being ignored' by Marc Guehi after Chelsea draw
Oliver Glasner has dismissed suggestions that he was ignored by Marc Guehi after Crystal Palace's goalless draw against Chelsea last Sunday. As the two teams were walking off the pitch following the stalemate at Stamford Bridge, Glasner called out to Guehi as he headed towards the tunnel. Guehi briefly glanced at Glasner but did not stop and continued to head towards the dressing room, leaving the Palace manager looking confused by the defender's response. Liverpool have made a move to sign Guehi before the end of the summer transfer window and the 25-year-old's response to Glasner has sparked further speculation over his future. However, Glasner has moved to play down the exchange and insists Guehi was only upset by Palace's 0-0 draw against Chelsea. When asked about the incident on Wednesday, Glasner said: 'I've seen so much nonsense written about this. 'Marc was upset that he didn't win the game and I loved this. It's the best sign that he could show of how ambitious we are.' More Trending Glasner also confirmed that Guehi and Eze will start for Palace's Conference League play-off clash against Fredrikstad on Thursday night. Sky Sports is going full throttle this Premier League season, airing a record-breaking 215 live matches - that's nearly double the usual dose of drama, goals, and post-match meltdowns. From Friday night clashes to Super Sundays and even all ten final-day fixtures, Sky's new deal means fans won't miss a single nutmeg or last-minute screamer. Whether you're team Sky Q, Sky Glass, or prefer streaming via NOW, you're covered. And with pundits like Jamie Carragher probably already rehearsing their 'I told you so' lines, expect top-tier commentary alongside top-tier football. As Pep might say, 'More games, more problems - for the other teams.' Check out the latest deals from Sky here, starting from £15 a month. Metro journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission – learn more . 'The player gives 100 per cent because he is under contract. We don't have to say thank you every day, he is getting a few pounds every week,' Glasner said. 'Many of you were surprised he and Marc started against Chelsea, most of you will be surprised that they will start again tomorrow, but they are committed to the team. 'They will play a crucial part as long as they are here they are committed to the team. If they leave, they want to leave as the guys who gave 100 per cent to Crystal Palace.' For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MORE: Arsenal vs Leeds: Latest team news, predicted lineups and injuries MORE: Man City vs Tottenham: Latest team news, predicted lineups and injuries MORE: Crystal Palace v Fredrikstad odds: Eagles can win Conference League opener amid uncertainty over top players
Daily Mirror
16 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Tottenham still face Eberechi Eze wait even though transfer agreement is now 'close'
Tottenham are still working on a deal to sign Eberechi Eze from Crystal Palace and their pursuit could now be aided with their Premier League rivals closing in on a replacement Tottenham and Crystal Palace have still not yet reached an agreement over a transfer fee for Eberechi Eze, who is now likely to feature in the Eagles' opening Europa Conference League fixture on Thursday. Spurs and Palace have been in talks over a deal for Eze, 27, this week with the former stepping up their efforts to land the attacking midfielder after discovering that the injured James Maddison is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines. However, the two clubs have so far been unable to agree on a payment structure for a proposed £60million deal. Talks are expected to continue over the coming days with Eze keen on the idea of moving across London. But with no agreement in place, the former QPR man is now poised to start in Palace's Europa Conference League play-off first leg against Fredrikstad on Thursday. Oliver Glasner, Crystal Palace's head coach, confirmed as much on Wednesday when he revealed that Eze and Marc Guehi - a target for Liverpool - remain committed to the cause despite interest from elsewhere. "Most of you will be surprised that they will start again tomorrow because of all the rumours," Glasner said in a press conference. "But they are committed here and they will play a crucial part." While Eze is likely to be on the pitch for the start of Crystal Palace's maiden European campaign, it seems likely that the club and Tottenham will reach an agreement for his transfer before September 1. Encouragingly for Tottenham, though, Palace have made progress in their pursuit of a player who could help fill the sizeable void Eze would leave. Bilal El Khannouss of Leicester is one of the targets Palace have identified amid interest in Eze and Sky Sports claim that the FA Cup winners are now 'close' to agreeing a deal worth £32million for the attacking midfielder. El Khannouss, 21, is among a number of options Palace are weighing up during the final two weeks of the transfer window. They also hold an interest in Christos Tzolis of Club Brugge, though it now seems that a deal for El Khannouss is more advanced. The Morocco star contributed two goals and three assists in 32 Premier League appearances for Leicester last season as they were relegated from the top-flight.
Daily Mirror
16 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
'I said I wouldn't force move from Newcastle – when Liverpool came in my mind was made up'
Alexander Isak finds himself in a different situation to Georginio Wijnaldum despite the midfielder once successfully sealing his own move from Newcastle United to Liverpool One player who might sympathise with Alexander Isak 's efforts to secure a move from Newcastle to Liverpool is Anfield icon Georginio Wijnaldum. Isak has been at the centre of relentless transfer speculation this summer, with the Reds thought to be leading the chase for his services should he depart the Tyneside outfit. But his potential move is proving difficult to pull off despite the striker making Newcastle aware of his wish to leave, with a £110million offer from Liverpool earlier this month being turned down. The transfer saga has become increasingly messy, with relations between club and player souring as Eddie Howe excluded Isak from the team's pre-season matches and the Swede trains by himself. Isak did not feature in Newcastle's Premier League curtain-raiser against Aston Villa, where chants from his own fans branded him as "greedy". On Tuesday, the 25-year-old issued a stunning statement in which he suggested he might not play for Newcastle again, claiming "promises have been broken" and "trust has been lost". Among the various players to have moved from St James' Park to Anfield previously is Wijnaldum, who the Magpies supporters once also implored to stay. The Dutch midfielder, currently at Al-Ettifaq, was snapped up by the Reds for £25m after Newcastle's relegation in 2016. He became instrumental in Liverpool's triumphs in the following seasons as Liverpool lifted the Premier League and Champions League - trophies Isak undoubtedly hopes to win too. Unsurprisingly, Wijnaldum had no regrets over joining Jurgen Klopp 's side, but remained grateful for the role Newcastle played in his development and insisted he did not force a move away. Speaking to the Liverpool Echo before his 2017 return to face his former club, Wijnaldum said: 'I remember my last game for Newcastle in the pre-season when their fans were singing that they wanted me to stay. "But when the opportunity came to play for a great club like Liverpool with such a great history I had to take it. I hope they understand why I made that choice to go to Liverpool. 'When the previous season at Newcastle ended, I said publicly that I wouldn't force a move. When Liverpool came in for me I made up my mind that I wanted to come here, but I wasn't going to force it because I appreciated what Newcastle and their fans did for me.' He continued: 'It's always a special game when you play against your previous club. It was only one year at Newcastle but that time there meant a lot to me. I met some great people who helped me to play good games in the Premier League and it was because of them I got the move to Liverpool.' Despite his positive comments about his year-long spell on Tyneside and claiming he had not agitated for a transfer, unlike Isak who is deemed to have done so, the 34-year-old was accused of lacking fight and commitment before jumping ship by the Newcastle fans. Isak, in comparison, has made a significant impact in his three-year stint with Newcastle, emerging as one of the Premier League's top players and scoring a goal in the Carabao Cup final to break their long-standing trophy drought. In his first match back on Tyneside, Wijnaldum hit the post but failed to make an impact in front of a raucous home crowd, who booed him whenever the two clubs clashed in later matches. Wijnaldum made 237 appearances for Liverpool, netting 22 goals, including a memorable brace against Barcelona in the 2018/19 Champions League semi-final second leg, which inspired Liverpool to a 4–3 aggregate victory. Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
