Tottenham Hotspur moved out of the Premier League relegation zone with an outstanding victory at Aston Villa as new head coach Roberto de Zerbi’s rescue mission gathered momentum.
West Ham United’s defeat at Brentford on Saturday left the door ajar for Spurs to go above their rivals – and they stormed through it with arguably their finest performance of the season.
They made light of injuries to key forwards Xavi Simons and Dominic Solanke in last weekend’s victory at Wolverhampton Wanderers – their first in the league since 28 December – to establish a fully deserved two-goal lead at the interval against their fifth-placed hosts.
Conor Gallagher’s first goal since his January move from Atletico Madrid, a crisp low finish from 20 yards, was just reward for a fine start as the visitors led after 12 minutes.
Joao Palhinha then hit the post with a swerving effort, but Spurs’ second goal was not long in coming as Richarlison headed emphatically past Villa keeper Emi Martinez from Mathys Tel’s cross in the 25th minute.
Villa manager Unai Emery made seven changes from the team that lost to Nottingham Forest in the Europa League semi-final first leg, with one eye clearly on Thursday’s return at Villa Park – and it showed in a dismal display.
Substitute Emi Buendia pulled a goal back with seconds left, heading home Matty Cash’s cross, but it was too little, too late as Spurs secured the crucial win that moved them a point ahead of West Ham with just three league games left.
Spurs analysis: De Zerbi channels positive performance
De Zerbi had demanded all negative thoughts be dismissed as he attempted to salvage safety in this wretched, turbulent season for Spurs.
And the Italian’s message looked to have been received loud and clear on and off the pitch on what might yet be viewed as the most important night of the club’s season.
Even before kick-off, when the Spurs players came out to warm up, they were greeted with deafening roars from the packed away section at Villa Park.
The response on the pitch was also outstanding as they tore into Villa from the first whistle, pressing high to force goalkeeper Martinez and his defenders into poor clearances and uncertainty.
Spurs suddenly looked like a team bursting with self-belief and confidence as the hosts, closing in on a place in next season’s Champions League, were run ragged.
Palhinha and Rodrigo Bentancur ruled midfield with quality and physical presence, while the tireless Richarlison never allowed the Villa defence a moment’s peace.
On the rare occasions Villa did threaten, Micky van de Ven and Kevin Danso held firm at the back. Even Buendia’s goal in the sixth minute of added time came far too late to make Spurs nerves jangle.
This was a complete performance from De Zerbi’s men in what looked like one of their most hazardous fixtures, offering a shaft of light after the dark clouds that have hung over them for most of the campaign.
