Aston Villa secured a vital three points with a 2-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League on Friday night, keeping their hopes of Champions League qualification alive heading into the final day of the season.
Aston Villa were in complete control of the first half, dominating with 72% possession and taking eight shots to their opponents' two, but despite their superiority, the hosts were unable to find the breakthrough as the scores remained level at the break.
Frustrations were growing as Aston Villa were repeatedly denied an opener, but the wait ended on the hour mark when Ezri Konsa broke the deadlock, and just 13 minutes later, Boubacar Kamara added a second to calm the nerves at Villa Park, and the hosts comfortably held out to ensure all three points.
SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT
It was clear that Tottenham Hotspur's focus was elsewhere, with their attention firmly on the upcoming Europa League final, reflected in a flurry of changes due to rotation and injuries.
That certainly disrupted any rhythm Spurs might have had if a full-strength 11 had been named, and the Villans comfortably controlled the match and thoroughly deserved their victory.
The three points keeps Aston Villa's top-five hopes alive, but a win on the final day against Manchester United is still likely to be needed to confirm Champions League qualification, meaning the job is far from over.
ASTON VILLA VS. TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR HIGHLIGHTS
Ezri Konsa goal vs. Tottenham Hotspur (59th min, Aston Villa 1-0 Tottenham Hotspur)
"A big breakthrough for Aston Villa!"
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) May 16, 2025
Ezri Konsa guides the ball into the net 🔥 pic.twitter.com/A0zRbfqSpy
Aston Villa have a crucial lead, Konsa with a rare goal!
John McGinn floats a deep corner toward the back post, where Ollie Watkins backpedals and is afforded plenty of space to nod the ball down into the centre of the box.
The knockdown falls to Konsa, who is completely free in front of the Tottenham goal, and the central defender clinically sweeps his effort into the far corner.
Boubacar Kamara goal vs. Tottenham Hotspur (73rd min, Aston Villa 2-0 Tottenham Hotspur)
Boubacar Kamara drives it into the bottom corner to double Villa's lead over Spurs ☄️ pic.twitter.com/KVQKbr2sth
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) May 16, 2025
Kamara fires in Aston Villa's second!
The ball is played out wide to Morgan Rogers on the right wing, and the midfielder moves towards the box and cuts the ball to Kamara on the corner of the penalty area.
Marco Asensio's run creates space for the midfielder to cut onto his left foot, and Kamara's low effort flies past Antonin Kinsky into the bottom left corner.
MAN OF THE MATCH - EZRI KONSA
© Imago
Konsa was a key contributor at both ends as Aston Villa secured a potentially crucial three points in their ongoing battle for a Champions League spot in the Premier League standings.
The defender scored the opening goal with a clinical volley from Watkins' initial knockdown, while he also threatened with two further shots and one chance created.
Despite rarely being called into defensive action, Konsa won four duels, made one interception and one tackle - playing an important role in denying Spurs a sniff of Emi Martinez's goal.
ASTON VILLA VS. TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR MATCH STATS
Possession: Aston Villa 68%-32% Tottenham Hotspur
Shots: Aston Villa 18-3 Tottenham Hotspur
Shots on target: Aston Villa 7-1 Tottenham Hotspur
Corners: Aston Villa 9-1 Tottenham Hotspur
Fouls: Aston Villa 5-12 Tottenham Hotspur
BEST STATS
Ezri Konsa has scored eight goals for Aston Villa since the start of the 2020/21 campaign.
— Squawka Live (@Squawka_Live) May 16, 2025
They've all come at Villa Park. ⚽️#AVLTOT pic.twitter.com/BtluTmorKl
Tottenham have gone 12 consecutive Premier League games without a clean sheet for the first time since 2010. 👀#AVLTOT pic.twitter.com/UjtnHd31mr
— Squawka Live (@Squawka_Live) May 16, 2025
WHAT NEXT?
Aston Villa's victory moves them up to fourth in the table, but their stay may be short-lived with Chelsea and Manchester City yet to play, and the Villans will have one last chance to secure a top-five spot in Sunday's clash against Manchester United on the final day of the Premier League season.
Meanwhile, Tottenham's full focus will now shift to the upcoming Europa League final clash with Man Utd on Wednesday, where Spurs are aiming to end a 17-year wait for a major trophy.
Ellis Stevens
