Aston Villa 2-1 Tottenham Hotspur: Douglas Luiz’s free-kick end seals victory

Unai Emery says his «dream» is for Aston Villa to enter the general sport of the season with an opportunity of qualifying for Europe after victory over Tottenham persisted their transformation from relegation battlers to continental contenders.

Aston Villa had been nineteenth within the desk after shedding 4 in their first 5 Premier League video games this season.

With two video games last – at Liverpool on Would possibly 20 and at house to Brighton at the ultimate day 8 days later – they have got the danger to qualify for Europe for the primary time for the reason that 2010-11 season.

“If we will be able to play right here in opposition to Brighton [on the final day of the season] with the potential for coming into Europe, that is my dream,» mentioned Emery.

«We will be at liberty and desirous about our place.»

8th-placed Brighton are two issues in the back of Villa with 3 video games in hand.

However Villa have made spectacular growth below Emery, who mentioned he didn’t assume Europe was once inside achieve when he formally took price on November 1, when Villa had been one level above the relegation zone after Steven Gerrard was once sacked.

«No, it was once a procedure, however I instructed the avid gamers if now we have an opportunity to head there, we can attempt to get it,» added the previous Arsenal boss. «If we did not get it, it isn’t a failure. It is a procedure.»

Villa took regulate in opposition to Tottenham after Jacob Ramsey’s neat end within the 8th minute adopted via Douglas Luiz’s free-kick.

Spurs, who can not end within the Champions League, had been flat and uninspiring, even supposing Harry Kane scored a comfort from the penalty spot after being fouled via goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.

Tottenham didn’t sign in a unmarried strive on function within the first 1/2 as Villa finished a double over their combatants for the primary time since 1995-96.

Will Villa play in Europe subsequent season?

Aston Villa had been 14 issues in the back of Tottenham within the Premier League desk again on March 11, however their revival below Emery has been not anything wanting implausible.

Their 14th win in 23 Premier League video games below Emery was once neatly deserved, even supposing Villa may just simplest loosen up after Luiz’s positive end from a 72nd-minute free-kick.

Villa have no longer performed in Europe since they had been eradicated from the play-off spherical of the Europa League in opposition to Fast Vienna in 2010.

Underneath Emery, they gave themselves a perfect probability of returning to the continent after any other assured efficiency in entrance of their very own lovers.

Martinez made a positive save to disclaim Kane a second-half equalizer sooner than the Tottenham captain beat him from the penalty spot.

Even that, on the other hand, didn’t hose down the celebrations at full-time as Villa took a large step against Ecu qualification.

«We wish to connect to our lovers, get energized and provides them our power, and that is the 6th win in a row right here,» Emery mentioned.

Spurs fail to see the Champions League

Spurs introduced little in the way in which of attacking risk sooner than Kane’s comfort from the penalty spot.

Son Heung-min was once annoyed via an offside flag, together with deep into harm time when the South Korea ahead idea he had equalised, whilst Richarlison controlled simply 9 touches sooner than being substituted.

In an afternoon of little positives for the guests, Yves Bissoum’s substitute no less than introduced midfield in his first look since February 5.

Spurs, on the other hand, were disappointing and can end outdoor the highest 4 for the 3rd time in 4 seasons – in spite of occupying a Champions League spot for lots of the season.

And not using a Champions League to stay up for, will Kane be there when the following everlasting supervisor is appointed?

Kane has one year left on his contract on the finish of the season, however questions will proceed to be requested about his long term after a chaotic season off and on the pitch at Tottenham.

In spite of this defeat, intervening time boss Ryan Mason stays hopeful of securing a spot within the Europa League.

«We remember the fact that these days was once a large sport [in terms of qualifying for Europe] and I am very upset with the result,» Mason mentioned.

«However now we have two video games to position it proper. Optimistically we will be able to reply neatly and put issues proper.»