In-form Aston Villa close on Champions League return with Tottenham victory
Villa's memorable run to the quarter-finals of this season's competition gave them the taste for more and they boosted their hopes with an eighth win from their last nine Premier League games.
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.
That means, if other results go their way this weekend, a win in their final game of the season at Manchester United would be enough to guarantee Villa a return to the promised land.
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.
ADVERTISEMENT
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
The Irish Sun
12 minutes ago
- The Irish Sun
‘I want to suffer, I want to feel bad' – Pep Guardiola reveals he struggled to eat during Man City's horror season
PEP GUARDIOLA struggled to eat during Manchester City's miserable campaign. The Etihad boss oversaw a first trophyless season since 2017 with a third-placed Prem finish, shock FA Cup final loss to 8 Pep Guardiola struggled to eat last season Credit: Alamy 8 He endured only his second trophyless season as a manager Credit: Alamy It was only the second time in Guardiola's managerial career he failed to win any silverware — and he hopes to get his appetite back for City's Club World Cup bid this month. The Spaniard, 54, said: 'I want to suffer when I'm not winning games. I want to feel bad. I want to sleep badly. 'My food, it tastes worse. I don't need to eat much as I need to feel that [anger].' Yet Guardiola does not think he needs to prove people wrong next season. READ MORE MAN CITY NEWS He added: 'It's to prove to myself that I can do it. I don't want to have those feelings that last season left. 'When we win, the wine tastes better afterwards, you sleep better. I don't know a manager who loses and sleeps like a baby. You've got to worry. It's part of your life. 'I will not judge myself or my team because of bad seasons or good seasons... 'Maybe finishing third in a season and never giving up — otherwise you finish tenth or 12th — maybe that's a better season than when we won the fourth Premier League in a row. Most read in Football JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS 'We faced many difficulties that were higher due to injuries, relaxation. I was not good enough... for many reasons.' Guardiola quoted former Uruguayan president Jose Mujica, 'I will quit' - Pep Guardiola gives Man City ultimatum over squad issue that is 'impossible for my soul' 8 8 Guardiola is reinforcing his team for next season Credit: EPA 'Success is how many times you stand up when you fall down' as he bids to learn from the season's setbacks. The Etihad chief, who has won 12 domestic league titles across spells in Spain, Germany and England, added: 'Fall down, stand up. Fall down, stand up. 'That is the biggest success. Winners are boring. It's nice to see the losers. That's when you really learn.' Guardiola dismissed the idea he is an exceptional manager. Speaking to Reuters during a break in 'Special is the doctor who saves lives. People who invented penicillin. That's a genius. Me, genius? Come on.' Guardiola hopes to have an injection of new blood when He is Guardiola added: 'The The ex-Barca and But he added: 'I'd love to be in a World Cup, in a Euros, a Copa America. I have always thought about it... 'Stress is always there but nobody put a gun to my head forcing me to choose this job.' 8 Tijjani Reijnders is expected to be confirmed as a Man City player Credit: Getty 8 8 Rayan Cherki is also close to moving to the Etihad Stadium Credit: AFP 8
The Irish Sun
an hour ago
- The Irish Sun
Premier League club among Troy Parrott suitors while Serie A outfits keeping tabs on Dara O'Shea
TROY PARROTT will hope to avoid any howlers tonight — as Premier League Wolves eye up the Ireland ace. The Aviva Stadium will be a shop window as Heimir Hallgrimsson's Boys in Green Advertisement 2 Parrott was struggling with an illness earlier this week 2 Dara O'Shea could be set to stay in the Premier League in spite of Ipswich Town's relegation AZ Alkmaar striker Parrott, who trained yesterday A return to England for Parrott has been mooted after he hit 20 goals last term for AZ. The former Spurs man, 23, is understood to be a target for a number of clubs including Wolves. AZ lost the Dutch Cup final to Go Ahead Eagles to miss out on Europa League qualification. Advertisement Read More On Irish Football And while they subsequently won a play-off to make the Conference League, they would be willing to cash in on their prized asset if the price is right. SunSport revealed yesterday that O'Shea is also It is understood Serie A clubs are watching him closely. The 26-year-old is under contract at Ipswich but looks set to leave Portman Road following their relegation just a year after he joined the Tractor Boys. Advertisement Most read in Football Exclusive Exclusive Live Blog Another Ireland player with admirers is Leicester winger Kasey McAteer, 23, with Premier League new boys Sunderland sniffing around after the Foxes' relegation. McAteer is expected to move on as Leicester have to sell players to meet Football League financial requirements or risk a points deduction. Ex-Arsenal starlet jailed over plot to smuggle £600k of cannabis into UK Sunderland are understood to be planning to watch him tonight or on Tuesday in Luxembourg.
RTÉ News
2 hours ago
- RTÉ News
Senegal - not Luxembourg - offer best possible test for Josh Honohan
Tonight's friendly clash against Senegal can be viewed as a subtle barometer of Heimir Hallgrímsson's instincts and give us a glimpse at how Ireland may evolve ahead of the World Cup qualifiers. Friendlies so often drift into forgettable contests, but if played out shrewdly, they can provide clarity. And Hallgrímsson's squad decisions for this window, particularly regarding player rest and selection, already hint at a manager with long-term thinking stitched into his planning. The decision to leave a number of Championship players at home, players who have slogged through a gruelling 46-game campaign, is very astute. These qualifiers arrive thick and fast from September onwards, and if Ireland are to mount a serious push, then protecting core squad members from burnout or potential injuries is key. Jason Knight is one name you would have liked to have seen added to that rest list. With 48 Championship appearances under his belt last season, Knight is showing he is one of the most dependable performers at club and International level over recent years. His energy, consistency and commitment are never in question, but even the most durable players need to recharge. A full summer off may have served him better than any international minutes right now -especially if we want him at his best when it matters most. Caoimhín Kelleher's move to Brentford has injected a wave of optimism into Ireland's goalkeeping future. Already Ireland's No. 1, Kelleher has operated impressively in the shadows behind Alisson Becker at Liverpool. But with regular football on the horizon, we could see Kelleher elevate to another level entirely. Ireland are fortunate in the goalkeeping department, but even among the competition, Kelleher stands out. If he stays fit, it's difficult to imagine anyone taking that jersey off him any time soon. One of the more exciting call-ups this window is Shamrock Rovers' Josh Honohan. His inclusion is not just a token nod to domestic form - it's a deserved reward for his consistently mature performances, particularly in last season's European outings. The Stamford Bridge game stands out, not just because of the stage, but because Honohan played like a man unbothered by it. Athletic, versatile, positionally sound and composed under pressure, he looks every inch a player ready to step up. If Hallgrímsson sees him as more than just a body in training, then tonight, against Senegal's potent front line, would be the perfect test. It's one thing to slot in against Luxembourg - it's another to hold your ground against the likes of Nicholas Jackson or Iliman Ndiaye. If he performs well, it could be the start of a meaningful international future for him. Since David Moyes' arrival at Everton, Jake O'Brien has quietly cemented himself as a reliable option, displaying maturity in high-pressure Premier League games. He'll want to use these two games to put down a marker. Ireland are quite strong in the defensive positions but O'Brien has shown through his performances for Everton that he has the tools to disrupt the pecking order. Midfield is always an area of interest for Ireland, the inclusion of John Joe Patrick Finn is an exciting one. For many Irish fans, me included, if he gets minutes tonight, this could be our first time seeing him play. His profile suggests he ticks a lot of boxes, technical, tidy and a good physical frame. All going well, he could add a different dynamic to Ireland's midfield. And then, as always, the conversation turns to the top end of the pitch where goals win games and confidence is everything. Troy Parrott returns from an outstanding season, full of self-belief and sharpness (provided he recovers from an illness). He'll know that the summer is a time to build momentum, not only to consolidate his international standing but to bring that form back into his club campaign. And then there's Evan Ferguson. Still so young, yet already a focal point of this Ireland team. His loan spell at West Ham was challenging and goal-shy, but international football offers a clean slate. He scored the last time he played for Ireland and another strong performance here could help reset the narrative around him before pre-season with Brighton begins. This game isn't about the result, it's about preparation. With Hallgrímsson's selections, from giving key players a break to offering the likes of Honohan a real opportunity, there's a sense of clarity and direction. Senegal are a proper outfit, make no mistake. But it's the decisions around the game that may carry the biggest weight. Tonight, will most likely not go down in the history books, but it could quietly shape Ireland's future.
