Tottenham 1 Aston Villa 2: Emi Buendia and Morgan Rogers on the mark

The scorers from their Premier League win at Spurs in October were again on the mark in Saturday’s third round tie.

Their goals had Villa cruising to victory at the break before Wilson Odobert’s strike set up a nervy second half.

But Unai Emery’s men held on to knock Spurs out of the competition for the second straight season, piling the pressure on his opposite number, Thomas Frank.

Analysis

Villa had beaten the London club by the same 2-1 scoreline in the fourth round last February and again had too much quality for their opponents.

Buendia opened the scoring midway through the first half when he finished off an excellent passing move, with Rogers doubling the advantage on the stroke of half-time.

Villa were cruising at that point but a slack start to the second half saw Odobert bring the hosts back into it.

Marco Bizot, deputising in goal for the injured Emi Martinez, twice saved from Xavi Simons but Villa rode out the storm and Buendia came close to adding a third, with Pedro Porro clearing his shot off the line.

Emery made six changes but this was still a strong team, featuring the return of Pau Torres to the starting XI after a month out with injury.

Lamare Bogarde also replaced Youri Tielemans in midfield, with Donyell Malen getting his first start since the 2-1 win at Chelsea a fortnight earlier.

Emery had ended Wednesday’s draw at Crystal Palace remonstrating with referee Andy Madley and he had cause to be frustrated with Craig Pawson early here.

Though the official did blow up for fouls when Xavi Simons challenged Matty Cash and then Joao Palhinha brought down Kamara, it was a surprise neither resulted in a yellow card. The latter forced the exit of Boubacar Kamara after just eight minutes.

It did not stop a bright start by Villa, who took the lead midway through the half. 

Youri Tielemans, who replaced Kamara off the bench, was involved in a slick passing move which ended with Malen playing in Buendia on the left of the box, the latter lifting a shot over Vicario and into the roof of the net.

Vicario was called into action soon after to beat away a fierce Cash drive as Villa went hunting a second and it was then the home side’s turn to be dealt an injury blow, Richarlison forced off with what appeared a pulled hamstring.

“Thomas Frank is an Arsenal fan,” sang the travelling support, making reference to the Spurs boss’ unfortunate supping from a Gunners-decorated cup in midweek.

Those chants changed to “you’re getting sacked in the morning” when Rogers put Villa two up on the stroke of half-time.

Malen and Buendia were the creators, the former cutting in from the right and sending in a low cross which the latter, with a deft flick redirected into the feet of Rogers. A left-footed finish sent the ball into the bottom corner of the net.

The half-time whistle was greeted by loud boos from the home support but an all-too-casual start to the second half from Villa gave their opponents a route back.

Simons brought a flying save from Bizot after Rogers had lost the ball on the edge of his own box.

Kolo Muani then robbed Bogarde and set up Odobert to fire past the keeper and bring his team back to within a goal and the stadium to life.

Bizot was suddenly the busiest player on the pitch, making another save from Simons to prevent the scores being quickly levelled.

Villa were finding it hard to pass out from the back and when they again lost possession in a dangerous area, Torres was forced to block Palhinha’s shot. 

Emery brought both Ollie Watkins and Jadon Sancho off the bench to try and reinvigorate his side, yet it was Buendia who nearly restored breathing room, with his shot blocked on the line by Porro.

Tottenham just three wins in 13. But progressed past third round 18 of last 19 years. 11 straight.

Key Moments

22 GOAL Villa take the lead. Emi Buendia finishes off a sweeping team move by firing high into the roof of the net.

45+3 GOAL Morgan Rogers doubles Villa’s lead, latching on to a flick from Buendia before finishing into the bottom corner.

54 GOAL Wilson Odobert brings Spurs back into it, firing into the bottom corner from Randal Kolo Muani’s pass.

Teams

Tottenham (4-2-3-1): Vicario, Porro (Spence 83), Danso, van de Ven, Palhinha, Gray, Odobert (Solanke 83), Simons, Tel (Scarlett 79), Richarlison (Kolo Muani 31) Subs not used: Byfield, Dragusin, Udogie, Williams-Barnett, Kinsky (gk).

Villa (4-2-3-1): Bizot, Cash (Garcia 79), Konsa, Torres, Maatsen (Digne 79), Bogarde, Kamara (Tielemans 9), McGinn (Sancho 64), Rogers, Buendia, Malen (Watkins 64) Subs not used: Lindelof, Mings, Hemmings, Wright (gk).