Credit: Imago

Declan Carr

Sun 3 May 2026 20:54, UK

Tottenham Hotspur secured a vital three points as they brushed Aston Villa aside with a 2-1 win on Sunday.

Roberto De Zerbi‘s side took the lead through Conor Gallagher before Richarlison doubled the lead to ease relegation woes massively, with Emi Buendia notching a late consolation for the hosts.

The Villa Park scoreline on 3 May lifted Spurs out of the relegation zone by a single point, with West Ham dropping below them.

It was a huge relief for the Lilywhites as their position would have looked very precarious had they not beaten a heavily rotated Villans side.

Tottenham will hope to push on and put some distance between them and the Hammers in the next few weeks.

Rodrigo Bentancur excels again in Tottenham win

Rodrigo Bentancur has been brilliant since his reintroduction to the Tottenham side and that continued in the contest.

He shone again, completing 98 per cent of his passes and made one pass into the final third, according to data from Fotmob.

The Uruguayan had 56 touches and was dispossessed zero times, showing that he is extremely comfortable on the ball.

Meanwhile, when his side did not have it, he made two tackles, two interceptions and three recoveries to help his side out.

In terms of duels, he won four of six on the ground and failed with his only aerial duel, in a brilliant showing for De Zerbi’s side.

His remergence after his injury could be the difference between Spurs staying in the top-flight and going down, that is how good he has been.

Randal Kolo Muani proves he can make a difference

Randal Kolo Muani has been subject to much criticism this season, but he was fantastic against the Villans.

The Spurs attacker took five touches in the opposition box, and completed both of his two crossing attempts in the contest.

He was a constant menance, completing four of his six dribbles and having two shots, with one being on target.

The Frenchman contributed defensively too, making two tackles and four recoveries and he showed that he is up the fight.

He won nine of the 12 ground duels that he contested and one of the two aerial battles that he had, proving that it was the right decision to start him.

If he had more time he may well have forced the N17 outfit into signing him permanently but that does not look likely at the moment.

How Tottenham players rated vs Aston Villa

Antonin Kinsky – 6

Pedro Porro – 6

Kevin Danso – 7

Micky van de Ven – 7

Destiny Udogie – 6

Joao Palhinha – 6

Rodrigo Bentancur – 9 (off for Bissouma, 66)

Conor Gallagher – 7

Randal Kolo Muani – 8 (off for Spence, 66)

Mathys Tel – 6 (off for Bergvall, 90)

Richarlison – 7 (off for Sarr, 90)

Substitutes:

Yves Bissouma – 5

Djed Spence – 5

Pape Sarr – N/A

Lucas Bergvall – N/A