Aston Villa beat Tottenham 2-1 in the FA Cup fourth round on Sunday at Villa Park, as Unai Emery’s side are in the last 16 and deservedly so.
MORE — Ange Postecoglou praises Spurs’ injury-hit squad after defeat
Jacob Ramsey scored inside the first minute and Villa had so many chances to double their lead in the first half.
Tottenham improved in the second half but Villa step on the accelerator again and Morgan Rogers made it 2-0 and Villa could have scored four or five with Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio both coming on for their debuts.
Mathys Tel did score a late consolation with a fine finish for his first Spurs goal, but Ange Postecoglou’s side were second-best for most of this game and can have no complaints with being knocked out of the cup.
Villa’s attacking depth is scary
With Ollie Watkins out injured and Jhon Duran sold in January, Villa’s attack looked very different for this game. But that doesn’t mean it wasn’t great. Jacob Ramsey and Leon Bailey caused big problems out wide, while Morgan Rogers and Donyell Malen caused Spurs so many issues with central runs. Villa then had the ability to bring new signings Marco Asensio and Marcus Rashford off the bench for their debuts and that kicked them on again as they created chances galore. When Watkins comes back from injury Villa will have some incredible attacking options, as he will likely start with Rogers, Asensio and Rashford in support of him. Then you have Malen, Bailey and Ramsey to come off the bench. That is incredible and will give Villa a huge boost for the rest of the season as they chase glory in the FA Cup and Champions League and push for a top four finish in the Premier League. The depth of options Emery now has up top is a gamechanger and if Villa can keep defenders fit, they have a great chance of winning cup competitions with their counter-attacking style of play.
Aston Villa vs Tottenham Hotspur score: 2-1
Ramsey 1', Rogers 65'; Tel 90+1'
Aston Villa vs Tottenham Hotspur live updates! — By Joe Prince-Wright
Hang on! Tel scores — Aston Villa 2-1 Tottenham
Mathys Tel has his first goal for Tottenham with a lovely volley. Are they back in this?
It's a debut goal for @SpursOfficial's Mathys Tel ⚪️
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) February 9, 2025
A beautifully taken volley 🤌#EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/FhuX47NsKE
Danso puts it over from close range
Pedro Porro whips in a cross from the right and Kevin Danso is there at the back post but puts his effort wide. It came at him quickly and Garcia was in his way, but Spurs’ new center back can’t believe he hasn’t scored there.
Kinsky denies Rogers
Villa are absolutely flying now and Ramsey is clean through on goal. But Kinsky stands tall and makes another top save. After his early mistake, Kinsky has made some brilliant stops.
Wow! Almost an amazing goal for Villa
Substitute Asensio links up brilliantly with Rogers and the young English playmaker drills a shot just wide. Asensio and Rashford have had a big impact since coming off the bench.
Asensio and Rashford come on for their debut!
What a double sub this is. Malen and Bailey, who were key in that second Villa goal, come off and new signings Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio come on. Huge roar from the Villa faithful when Rashford’s name is announced.
New faces 👋
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) February 9, 2025
Marco Asensio and Marcus Rashford have arrived for @AVFCOfficial 💜#EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/3JKg05KHHz
Rogers taps home to double Villa’s lead! — Aston Villa 2-0 Tottenham Hotspur
Villa catch Spurs out with Malen feeding Bailey. Malen’s cross is then deflected towards goal but Porro clears it off the line... only for Rogers to react first and prod home at the Holte End. That should be that.
Of course it's Morgan Rogers for @AVFCOfficial 🥶
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) February 9, 2025
The @England star has deserved that goal 🏴#EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/BJqOu9BE26
Kinsky denies Ramsey
The game is so open now and Villa are in after McGinn finds Ramsey, but his shot is saved by Kinsky this time. What a game this is!
Son denied, then passes it to Bissouma
Heung-min Son has got in twice early in the second half. First time he’s played in through the middle but Bogarde does well to block his shot. Then Son is found in the box but instead of shooting he passes to half time sub Bissouma. It’s all Spurs so far in the second half. Much better from them. I wonder what Ange said at half time...
Half time: Aston Villa 1-0 Tottenham
That speedy start from Villa has them ahead and they should be out of sight after creating so many good chances in the first 20 minutes. Tottenham had one big chance but have found it really tough to match Villa’s intensity.
Konsa comes off injured as center back issues continue for Villa
Aston Villa’s star center back Ezri Konsa, has gone off injured. With new signing Axel Disasi unable to play in the FA Cup for Villa, Unai Emery brings on right back Bogarde to play at center back alongside central midfielder Boubacar Kamara. Konsa, Torres and Mings are all out injured, while right back Cash is out too.
Kinsky denies Bailey, then Ramsey hits the post
Leon Bailey runs at the Spurs defense and smashes a shot on goal which Kinsky pushes out. Ramsey sends the rebound against the outside of the post. That was so easy for Bailey to run straight through their defense.
Huge save from Martinez to deny Son!
Spurs are in as Mikey Moore crosses for Heung-min Son and he’s six yards out but Emiliano Martinez saves his shot. No real conviction from Son there, but that is some save from Martinez. Spurs have finally arrived in this game.
A fantastic save from Emi Martínez to deny Son Heung-min 🧤#EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/ThR2SAPK0S
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) February 9, 2025
Villa are all over Spurs
Tielemans and Ramsey have both dragged shots just wide and 20 minutes in, Villa have had six shots to Spurs’ zero. Total domination from the home side.
Malen fires over
Kinsky gives the ball away and Villa are in as Bailey finds Malen in the box but his shot flies over. Tottenham are causing their own problems and have barely woken up.
Ramsey’s shot somehow goes in! Aston Villa 1-0 Tottenham
Brilliant start for Villa but Spurs goalkeeper Kinsky won’t want to see that again. Rogers plays in Ramsey and his shot is on target but straight at Kinsky. Somehow the ball squirms through Kinsky and in. After just 59 seconds Aston Villa have the lead.
We're off to a flyer! ⚡️
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) February 9, 2025
Jacob Ramsey scores for @AVFCOfficial inside a minute 😳#EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/LjYdazblUZ
Aston Villa lineup
Martinez; Garcia, Jonsa, Kamara, Digne; Ramsey, Tielemans, McGinn, Bailey; Rogers; Malen
Tottenham Hotspur lineup
Kinsky; Porro, Danso, Gray, Spence; Kulusevski, Bergvall, Bentancur; Moore, Tel, Son
Aston Villa team news, focus
OUT: Tyrone Mings (knee), Pau Torres (ankle), Matty Cash (muscular) | QUESTIONABLE: Ollie Watkins (groin), Ross Barkley (calf)
Tottenham Hotspur team news, focus
OUT: Richarlison (lower leg), Radu Dragusin (ACL), Dominic Solanke (knee - MORE), Brennan Johnson (calf), Destiny Udogie (thigh), Guglielmo Vicario (fractured ankle - MORE), Wilson Odobert (thigh), Timo Werner (thigh), Cristian Romero (quad), James Maddison (undisclosed)| QUESTIONABLE: Micky van de Ven (fitness)
Aston Villa vs Tottenham Hotspur prediction
Spurs took on midweek work, and spirits may be low after they were clobbered by Liverpool and exited the League Cup at the semifinal stage. Villa are rested and have a home match with Ipswich Town in a week, so there’s no reason to not go for it lineup-wise. There are new pieces, sure, but this feels more straight-forward than it would’ve seen before the season. Aston Villa 3-1 Tottenham Hotspur
Aston Villa vs Tottenham Hotspur preview
The Manchester United loanee is one of several new faces for Villa, who added Marco Asensio, Donyell Malen, Axel Disasi, and Andres Garcia during the January window.
Spurs have also added in January, and there was even more urgency given their status in the top-fllght. Goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky has been thrown into the deep end, while Kevin Danso and Mathys Tel have also taken their Spurs bows.
Tottenham are languishing in the bottom half of the Premier League while Villa are into the Champions League final 16, but both sides know what an FA Cup run can do for a season.
How to watch Aston Villa vs Tottenham Hotspur live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 12:35pm ET Sunday
Venue: Villa Park — Birmingham
TV Channel/Streaming: ESPN+
