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Aston Villa 0-2 Tottenham: Premier League – as it happened Aston Villa 0-2 Tottenham: Premier League – as it happened
(12 days later)
6.14pm GMT6.14pm GMT
18:1418:14
Match reportMatch report
Related: Harry Kane’s double sinks Aston Villa as Tottenham close in on leadersRelated: Harry Kane’s double sinks Aston Villa as Tottenham close in on leaders
5.53pm GMT5.53pm GMT
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Full-time: Aston Villa 0-2 TottenhamFull-time: Aston Villa 0-2 Tottenham
PEEP! And Spurs are within two points of Leicester. A comfortable victory for Spurs but Villa were a vast improvement on many of their performances of this season. It’s just that an improvement incompetence doesn’t make you a world-beater.PEEP! And Spurs are within two points of Leicester. A comfortable victory for Spurs but Villa were a vast improvement on many of their performances of this season. It’s just that an improvement incompetence doesn’t make you a world-beater.
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at 6.08pm GMTat 6.08pm GMT
5.51pm GMT5.51pm GMT
17:5117:51
90 min+2: Kane steals in to seal his hat-trick but Mason’s cross is cut out. The teenager Green has another touch on his Premier League debut but his cross sails over.90 min+2: Kane steals in to seal his hat-trick but Mason’s cross is cut out. The teenager Green has another touch on his Premier League debut but his cross sails over.
5.49pm GMT5.49pm GMT
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90 min: Three minutes of added time.90 min: Three minutes of added time.
5.47pm GMT5.47pm GMT
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89 min: Chadli replaces Lamela.89 min: Chadli replaces Lamela.
5.46pm GMT5.46pm GMT
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88 min: Villa’s best spell this half has come in the final 10 minutes. Green delivers a fine corner, which is flicked on by Gestede. Lescott steals in and attempts to divert the ball past Lloris who makes a wonderful save. Having said all that, it was offside. So, as you were.88 min: Villa’s best spell this half has come in the final 10 minutes. Green delivers a fine corner, which is flicked on by Gestede. Lescott steals in and attempts to divert the ball past Lloris who makes a wonderful save. Having said all that, it was offside. So, as you were.
5.44pm GMT5.44pm GMT
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86 min: Alli is replaced by Mason.86 min: Alli is replaced by Mason.
5.43pm GMT5.43pm GMT
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85 min: Chances for Villa! The home team hit the post and the bar in quick succession. Ayew’s cross is diverted on to the post by Lloris and the rebound goes straight to Gestede who smacks the ball on to the bar from six yards out.85 min: Chances for Villa! The home team hit the post and the bar in quick succession. Ayew’s cross is diverted on to the post by Lloris and the rebound goes straight to Gestede who smacks the ball on to the bar from six yards out.
5.40pm GMT5.40pm GMT
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82 min: For a moment it looks like Ayew has a chance to bring the score back to 2-1 as he finds himself in space around 25 yards out. But he’s offside and the game meanders towards full time.82 min: For a moment it looks like Ayew has a chance to bring the score back to 2-1 as he finds himself in space around 25 yards out. But he’s offside and the game meanders towards full time.
5.35pm GMT5.35pm GMT
17:3517:35
78 min: Eriksen’s last action for the day is a shot that flies over the bar. He’s replaced by Carroll.78 min: Eriksen’s last action for the day is a shot that flies over the bar. He’s replaced by Carroll.
5.33pm GMT5.33pm GMT
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76 min: Lamela nearly bundles the ball into the net. A Villa deflection lands at his feet and only a block from Lescott prevents Spurs going 3-0 up.76 min: Lamela nearly bundles the ball into the net. A Villa deflection lands at his feet and only a block from Lescott prevents Spurs going 3-0 up.
5.30pm GMT5.30pm GMT
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73 min: Alli strolls down the pitch before stroking the ball back to Eriksen. Spurs seem happy enough to play for time now - and we’re still 17 minutes from the end.73 min: Alli strolls down the pitch before stroking the ball back to Eriksen. Spurs seem happy enough to play for time now - and we’re still 17 minutes from the end.
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at 5.34pm GMTat 5.34pm GMT
5.28pm GMT5.28pm GMT
17:2817:28
71 min: Rose is back on the pitch and should be OK to continue. The 17-year-old Green tries to beat Dier and his clattered to the ground. Welcome to the big leagues and so forth.71 min: Rose is back on the pitch and should be OK to continue. The 17-year-old Green tries to beat Dier and his clattered to the ground. Welcome to the big leagues and so forth.
5.27pm GMT5.27pm GMT
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68 min: Danny Rose is on the turf and holding his right foot. Davies warms up in case he needs replacing. Sinclair replaces Gil for Villa.68 min: Danny Rose is on the turf and holding his right foot. Davies warms up in case he needs replacing. Sinclair replaces Gil for Villa.
5.23pm GMT5.23pm GMT
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65 min: Walker’s shot is cleared by Cissokho. Along with Kane, he’s been Spurs’ biggest threat this afternoon. Guzan then takes another cross well - if you got points for taking crosses comfortably, Villa would be world beaters.65 min: Walker’s shot is cleared by Cissokho. Along with Kane, he’s been Spurs’ biggest threat this afternoon. Guzan then takes another cross well - if you got points for taking crosses comfortably, Villa would be world beaters.
5.20pm GMT5.20pm GMT
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63 min: The 17-year-old Green comes on for Gestede in a move which pretty much screams “Yep, 2016 is done for: let’s start planning for the next five years”.63 min: The 17-year-old Green comes on for Gestede in a move which pretty much screams “Yep, 2016 is done for: let’s start planning for the next five years”.
5.17pm GMT5.17pm GMT
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59 min: Ayew has now completely given up attempting to mark the excellent Walker. Once again Walker has a ludicrous amount of room to attack down the wing and his angry shot is palmed away by Guzan.59 min: Ayew has now completely given up attempting to mark the excellent Walker. Once again Walker has a ludicrous amount of room to attack down the wing and his angry shot is palmed away by Guzan.
5.14pm GMT5.14pm GMT
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56 min: Rose wins a corner off Hutton. The corner eventually comes out to Rose to complete the cycle with a 35 yard thunderbolt into the top corner. But he crwes it out for a throw in.56 min: Rose wins a corner off Hutton. The corner eventually comes out to Rose to complete the cycle with a 35 yard thunderbolt into the top corner. But he crwes it out for a throw in.
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5.11pm GMT5.11pm GMT
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54 min: Gana races down the right as Spurs retreat. That is until Alderweireld steps up and brushes him off the ball before clearing the danger.54 min: Gana races down the right as Spurs retreat. That is until Alderweireld steps up and brushes him off the ball before clearing the danger.
5.10pm GMT5.10pm GMT
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52 min: It should be pointed out that Spurs now have a goal difference of +29 - a big leap away from Leicester’s +21. Arsenal are on +16.52 min: It should be pointed out that Spurs now have a goal difference of +29 - a big leap away from Leicester’s +21. Arsenal are on +16.
5.08pm GMT5.08pm GMT
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50 min: If it’s any comfort to Villa, the majority of the half so far has been spent in the Spurs half. And that’s about as good as it gets. It’s now very, very, very (repeat as much as you want) that Spurs will be two points behind Leicester by the time this game is done.50 min: If it’s any comfort to Villa, the majority of the half so far has been spent in the Spurs half. And that’s about as good as it gets. It’s now very, very, very (repeat as much as you want) that Spurs will be two points behind Leicester by the time this game is done.
5.06pm GMT5.06pm GMT
17:0617:06
GOAL! Aston Villa 0-2 Tottenham (Kane 48)GOAL! Aston Villa 0-2 Tottenham (Kane 48)
Villa come out fighting. Villa unleash a barrage of shots on the edge of area, all of which ping of defenders’ legs. And then Kane shows how it’s done steaming into the box to crash home an Alli cross after Villa give the ball away in midfield.Villa come out fighting. Villa unleash a barrage of shots on the edge of area, all of which ping of defenders’ legs. And then Kane shows how it’s done steaming into the box to crash home an Alli cross after Villa give the ball away in midfield.
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4.49pm GMT4.49pm GMT
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Half-time: Aston Villa 0-1 TottenhamHalf-time: Aston Villa 0-1 Tottenham
Guzan has got the better of Kane and Spurs for the first 44.5 minutes of the half, before Kane got the breakthrough. It highlighted (one of the) factors that Villa are missing, someone who can kill off a game in an instant. Because up until then, it hadn’t just been a case of Guzan keeping Villa in the game - they had had chances of their own, there was just no one to finish them off.Guzan has got the better of Kane and Spurs for the first 44.5 minutes of the half, before Kane got the breakthrough. It highlighted (one of the) factors that Villa are missing, someone who can kill off a game in an instant. Because up until then, it hadn’t just been a case of Guzan keeping Villa in the game - they had had chances of their own, there was just no one to finish them off.
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at 5.06pm GMTat 5.06pm GMT
4.45pm GMT4.45pm GMT
16:4516:45
GOAL! Aston Villa 0-1 Tottenham (Kane 45)GOAL! Aston Villa 0-1 Tottenham (Kane 45)
Kane beats Guzan at last. Alli takes a quick free-kick as Villa think about their half-time snacks. Kane cushions the ball, drifts in from the left and caresses the ball past Guzan. An excellent finish from a master of the art.Kane beats Guzan at last. Alli takes a quick free-kick as Villa think about their half-time snacks. Kane cushions the ball, drifts in from the left and caresses the ball past Guzan. An excellent finish from a master of the art.
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at 4.51pm GMTat 4.51pm GMT
4.43pm GMT4.43pm GMT
16:4316:43
42 min: Guzan has been excellent today - another cross is taken by the American with a minimum of fuss.42 min: Guzan has been excellent today - another cross is taken by the American with a minimum of fuss.
4.40pm GMT4.40pm GMT
16:4016:40
40 min: A free-kick for Villa. It’s whipped into the area and to the feet of Gestede, whose closest marker is Kane who is neither very close or much of a marker. But Lloris saves - Spurs could easily be down 1-0 after that.40 min: A free-kick for Villa. It’s whipped into the area and to the feet of Gestede, whose closest marker is Kane who is neither very close or much of a marker. But Lloris saves - Spurs could easily be down 1-0 after that.
4.38pm GMT4.38pm GMT
16:3816:38
38 min: Walker is getting a ridiculous amount of time and space on the right: Dier pings a ball up to his team-mate but it has a little too much pace on it.38 min: Walker is getting a ridiculous amount of time and space on the right: Dier pings a ball up to his team-mate but it has a little too much pace on it.
4.36pm GMT4.36pm GMT
16:3616:36
36 min: Dembele attempts to slalom his way through the Villa defence but loses track of his feet. “With a never say die approach and never giving in no matter what the odds, I reckon Aston Villa could learn a lot from the goal posts and crossbar,” chuckles Charles Harris. Agreed - the woodwork has given in 110% today. Not sure if it’s looking for a move at the end of the season – on this performance it’s too good for the Championship.36 min: Dembele attempts to slalom his way through the Villa defence but loses track of his feet. “With a never say die approach and never giving in no matter what the odds, I reckon Aston Villa could learn a lot from the goal posts and crossbar,” chuckles Charles Harris. Agreed - the woodwork has given in 110% today. Not sure if it’s looking for a move at the end of the season – on this performance it’s too good for the Championship.
4.34pm GMT4.34pm GMT
16:3416:34
34 min: This is a little reminscent of Spurs’ game against Swansea a few weeks back when they came up against an inspired keeper. In that game, Spurs eventually hustled their way to victory. Villa, like Swansea, are causing far more problems than expected.34 min: This is a little reminscent of Spurs’ game against Swansea a few weeks back when they came up against an inspired keeper. In that game, Spurs eventually hustled their way to victory. Villa, like Swansea, are causing far more problems than expected.
4.31pm GMT4.31pm GMT
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32 min: Lamela hits the post! Walker has pretty much the whole of north Birmingham in which to operate as he floats in a cross. Lamela collects the ball around six yards out and Guzan does brilliantly to touch the ball on to the post. The rebound eludes half the Spurs team and Villa hack it clear.32 min: Lamela hits the post! Walker has pretty much the whole of north Birmingham in which to operate as he floats in a cross. Lamela collects the ball around six yards out and Guzan does brilliantly to touch the ball on to the post. The rebound eludes half the Spurs team and Villa hack it clear.
4.29pm GMT
16:29
29 min: And Kane again. He’s tries his luck from 30 yards out but it’s a halfhearted sideswipe - there is no one around to support him - and Guzan has time to watch the ball drift wide.
4.27pm GMT
16:27
27 min: Kane v Guzan Part II: this time it’s personal. The forward strides down the left and closes in on goal but Guzan dives to his left and saves. It was a similar position to where Kane scored against Arsenal but this time his finish is a little less impressive.
4.24pm GMT
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23 min: Cissokho delivers another tricky cross from the left and eventually Villa win another corner. Apart from that scamper and shot from Eriksen, Spurs have barely got out of their half for the last 10 minutes. And having said that, Spurs DO get out of their half: Guzan has to get down quickly to save with Kane’s shot with his legs.
4.19pm GMT
16:19
19 min: Spurs relieve the pressure a little with a break and Eriksen finds himself around 35 yards out. Being Eriksen he decides to have a little thrash and the ball flies just wide of Guzan’s lefthand post. The keeper probably had it covered anyway.
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at 4.38pm GMT
4.16pm GMT
16:16
16 min: It’s been Villas’s game for the last five minutes. Hutton floats a cross into Gestede but he can’t control it and the ball limps away to safety. It’s pepped up the Villa fans though who have been in fairly good voice this afternoon.
4.13pm GMT
16:13
13 min: Villa are finding some success down the left - Cissokho’s cross is blocked and Villa win a corner that then leads to a corner. That’s their second of the game so far but Lloris bounds out his goal to claim the ball. Then another chance for Villa! This time down the right – Gestede looming into view but Villa’s timing is slightly off and they can’t get a shot on target as Spurs scramble back to defend.
4.09pm GMT
16:09
10 min: Alli’s shot has plenty of power but is straight at Guzan. Spurs - perhaps wishing to banish the memories from Dortmund - have attacked very early this afternoon.
4.08pm GMT
16:08
8 min: Walker beats Ayew with ease on the right of the area and drives a corss towards Alli but it’s too high and Villa win back possession. Or are given back possession. They have to take what they’re given these days.
4.05pm GMT
16:05
5 min: Kane hits the crossbar! Lamela plays a delightful ball into Kane’s feet on the edge of the area. Guzan steams out, which puts Kane off just enough to float his ball slightly too high over the keeper and it drops on to the bar and away to safety.
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4.02pm GMT
16:02
3 min: A bright start for Villa - Ayew gets a dangerous cross in and they win a corner but Spurs clear. Kane then tries to play in Eriksen at the other end but Lescott gets in the way of his through ball.
4.00pm GMT
16:00
1 min: And we’re off. “Anyone know why this game isn’t on TV in the UK? Surely the only reason to have the game on at 4 on Sunday is TV”, asks Brian Furlong. I imagine it’s something to do with the clash with the United v West Ham FA Cup game. If it’s any consolation it’s live in the US and Australia. Whether it’s worth a plane trip to see Spurs 2-0 Villa is your call. Also, you don’t have much time to make it to Sydney for the second half.
3.54pm GMT
15:54
Bad omens for Villa: Part 3,786:
16 - Harry Kane has scored 16 goals in his last 20 PL apps for Spurs; 2 more than Aston Villa (14) have in their last 20 PL games. Contrast.
3.48pm GMT
15:48
The home crowd are warmed up and ready to cheer their team to a famous victory. The cheering will be very quiet however:
Aston Villa PA man reads out the lineup. There are no cheers for anyone. There is a smattering of boos for Lescott. There is mostly silence.
3.45pm GMT
15:45
Some news from north London to cheer Spurs fans: Arsenal are out of the FA Cup to Watford. Although, you could say this means Arsenal will be more rested for their title charge. If you can still call it a title charge. Possibly not.
Related: Watford shock Arsenal in FA Cup with Adlène Guedioura thunderbolt
3.36pm GMT
15:36
So, it’s time for Tottenham to get things back on track today. The midweek against Dortmund can be dismissed to a certain extent after they fielded a weakened team but the fact remains this is a team going for a title with only two wins in their last seven outings. The draw was particularly worrying - Spurs were unable to hold on for a home win against a team that excels in mental fragility. But if they can win today, Spurs will be within two points of Leicester at the top. And seeing as they’re playing Villa, you’d say they have a pretty good chance to do so.
As for Villa, it’s only a matter of time until Birmingham’s landscape is dealt the biggest blow since Snob’s moved across town. Oh for the days of umbrella man and Dalian Atkinson:
3.18pm GMT
15:18
Team news
And your teams are in. Spurs are looking a little stronger than they were during their defeat to Dortmund the other day, while Villa are as strong/weak as ever.
Aston Villa: Guzan, Hutton, Okore, Lescott, Cissokho, Veretout, Gana, Westwood, Gestede, Ayew, Gil. Subs: Richards, Clark, Bacuna, Sinclair, Green, Bunn, Lyden.
Tottenham Hotspur: Lloris, Walker, Alderweireld, Wimmer, Rose, Dier, Dembele, Lamela, Eriksen, Alli, Kane. Subs: Son, Mason, Vorm, Trippier, Chadli, Carroll, Davies.
Referee: Anthony Taylor (Cheshire)
2.10pm GMT
14:10
Tom will be here shortly. In the meantime, here is Stuart James’ preview of the match:
Mauricio Pochettino made it clear with his weakened team selection inThursday’s 3-0 defeat against Borussia Dortmund that the Premier League is his priority this season. Aston Villa should, on the face of it, be obliging opponents for Spurs and it is tempting to wonder if Pochettino could have rested players for this fixture, against the Premier League’s bottom club, and picked a stronger side in Dortmund. Either way Spurs need to get back on track after winning only two of their last seven in all competitions. Stuart James
Kick-off Sunday 4pm
Venue Villa Park
Last season Aston Villa 1 Tottenham Hotspur 2
Referee Anthony Taylor
This season G23, Y89, R3, 4 cards per game
Odds H 27-4 A 8-15 D 18-5
Aston Villa
Subs from Bunn, Gil, Lyden, Okore, Clark, Richardson, Gestede, Bacuna, Davis
Doubtful None
Injured Kozak (ankle, 19 Mar), Sánchez (hamstring, 19 Mar), Traoré (foot, Apr), Amavi (knee, unknown), Grealish (ankle, unknown)
Suspended None
Form LWLLLL
Discipline Y58 R1
Leading scorers Ayew, Gestede 5
Tottenham Hotspur
Subs from Vorm, McGee, Trippier, Carter-Vickers, Dembélé, Son, Carroll, Winks, Onomah, Bentaleb, Chadli
Doubtful None
Injured Njie (knee, 19 Mar), Vertonghen (knee, Apr), Rose (calf, unknown)
Suspended None
Form WWWWLD
Discipline Y56 R0
Leading scorer Kane 17