Aston Villa suffered a devastating blow in the UEFA Champions League battle with a 4-0 drubbing at home to direct rivals Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday afternoon. It was fairly even in the first period but the visitors came out firing in the second 45 and were clinical to go two ahead. John McGinn was then sent off for a reckless kick on Destiny Udogie and the game slipped further and further away as Spurs were clinical to score twice more. The result moves Ange Postecoglou's team, who still have a game in hand, to within just two points of Villa in the Premier League standings.
It wasn't always set to be a trouncing as Unai Emery's side looked a threat initially with several dangerous balls in behind to Ollie Watkins. One moment stood out as Clement Lenglet launched a searching long ball forward and Watkins did excellently to nod it into the channel with his head. The striker burst through on goal but Micky Van de Ven did brilliantly to sprint back and defend, sliding in to tackle. Furious appeals echoed around Villa Park as Watkins lay on the ground but van de Ven got the ball, albeit catching Watkins firmly on the follow-through. Lucas Digne, on the verge of half time, had the next decent chance as John McGinn fizzed in a cross but his header was awkward as it looped just over the far top corner.
Tottenham exerted more energy at the start of the second half and it worked as they got themselves in front in the 50th minute. Pape Matar Sarr, played down the right flank by Dejan Kulusevksi, whipped an inch-perfect delivery into the area and James Maddison met it to convert beyond Emiliano Martinez for 1-0. It was then a quickfire double for Spurs as Postecoglou's men took advantage of the hosts' sloppiness. Ezri Konsa played a weak pass and Youri Tielemans was too slow to react, allowing Kulusevski to clip in and play through Son Heung-min. The South Korean showed good composure to feed Brennan Johnson, who opened up his body and fired it past Martinez for 2-0.
Emery responded to the two goals conceded by making three changes, bringing on Alex Moreno, Moussa Diaby and Nicolo Zaniolo for Lucas Digne, Clement Lenglet and Youri Tielemans. But before the substitutions could make the desired impact, things went from bad to worse for Villa as captain McGinn was sent off in the 63rd minute for a ferocious challenge on Udogie. It was reckless from McGinn as he totally wiped out the Spurs defender. The Scotsman was one of very few home players showing the necessary fight and desire but he unfortunately paid for it through one moment of madness.
Villa, outnumbered for the rest of the clash, were unable to break down a solid Spurs backline, even despite an injury to central defender van de Ven. Emery looked despondent on the touchline as he watched the game fade away from his team and the afternoon was soon made even more dismal as Son scored a third for Tottenham. The Spurs number seven struck fiercely to connect first time with a low Kulusevski cross just before 10 minutes of added time. Timo Werner then prompted the majority of the remaining Villa fans to head for the exits with a cushioned finish to make it 4-0 in the 95th minute, rounding off a romping. Here are our Villa player ratings on a painful day for all those in claret and blue.
5. Lucas Digne - 5 (off 58’)
Got sucked into midfield on several occasions, giving Kulusevski space to run in behind. Not accurate enough with his crossing. | Getty Images
6. Matty Cash - 5
Deployed as a right-back in a back five out of possession and was solid up against Johnson in the first half. Things fell apart in the second period, though, as Spurs enjoyed space on the flanks. | Getty Images
7. Douglas Luiz - 5
Enjoyed clipping through balls over the top to Watkins at every given opportunity in the first 45 but faded in the second period. Struggled with his set piece deliveries and simply couldn’t gain control in midfield. Understandably fatigued from a tough run of games. | Getty Images
8. John McGinn - 4
Sent off for a reckless sliding tackle on Udogie, ending Villa’s chances of getting back into the game. It was a decisive moment in the fixture as it allowed Spurs to throw everything at scoring more – and they did. It was a shame as McGinn had played well up until that point. | Getty Images