Vital win at Villa

To a man, the players were outstanding, Gallagher in particular covering every blade of grass after opening his account for us with a precision strike from distance as we won the vast majority of our duels, kept possession well and closed Villa down quickly whenever they had the ball, blocking shots and crosses and making tackles with fight and determination.

Richarlison’s powerful header on 25 minutes gave us a cushion and from there we controlled the game for the most part, Villa only grabbing a consolation in the dying seconds when substitute Emi Buendia headed into the top corner for his third goal in as many games against us this term – their first effort on target. It was a minor blot on our copybook, though, as we made it back-to-back league wins for the first time since the start of the season to move a point above West Ham in the final relegation spot with three games remaining.

Richarlison – back in the starting XI as one of four changes from last weekend’s victory at Wolves – dragged an early shot wide as we started brightly before taking the lead after 12 minutes. Kevin Danso’s long throw into the box was knocked down to Gallagher some 25 yards out and he took a great first touch before drilling a superb shot low into the corner of the net for his first goal in our colours.

Emiliano Martinez just about tipped another long-ranger onto the upright – this one from Joao Palhinha – and then blocked Randal Kolo Muani’s back-post effort from Mathys Tel’s cross as we stayed on the front foot before bagging a deserved second on the 25-minute mark. Tel’s corner caused problems for Villa, the ball was cleared to the all-action Danso, his drive was blocked but we kept the attack alive and Tel’s left-footed cross from out on the right was powered home by the head of Richarlison to crank up the already buzzing atmosphere in the away end even more. It was the Brazil international’s first career goal against Villa.

Tel was wasteful with a couple of further shots as the home fans demanded more from their team but we stayed in the driving seat as we entered the second period, a superb covering tackle from Micky van de Ven ensuring there was no way through for Tammy Abraham on a rare foray forward for the home side.

Morgan Rogers and substitute Djed Spence saw shots deflected wide at either end while Danso’s powerful header from Pedro Porro’s corner was taken in by Martinez. Tyrone Mings angled a late header over the bar in Villa’s best chance until that point but in the last few seconds – with 96 minutes on the watch after a minimum of five was added – the home side did manage to hit the target, Buendia sending a header from Matty Cash’s right-wing cross flying into the top corner. It was a minor irritation, though, on an otherwise encouraging night, characterised by the sheer effort and determination of players and supporters alike.

Line-ups

Aston Villa (4-2-3-1): Martinez, Cash, Lindelof, Mings, Maatsen, Bogarde, Tielemans, Sancho (Bailey 85), Barkley (Buendia 85), Rogers, Abraham (Watkins 60). Substitutes (not used): Bizot, Konsa, Digne, Torres, Garcia, Douglas Luiz.

Spurs (4-3-3): Kinsky, Pedro Porro, Danso, van de Ven (c), Udogie, Bentancur (Bissouma 66), Gallagher, Palhinha, Kolo Muani (Spence 66), Richarlison (Sarr 90+1), Tel (Bergvall 90+1). Substitutes (not used): Austin, Dragusin, Souza, Gray, Maddison.

Match data

Goals: Aston Villa – Buendia 90+6; Spurs – Gallagher 12, Richarlison 25.

Yellow cards: Aston Villa – Barkley 50, Rogers 77; Spurs – Kolo Muani 27, Bentancur 45, Tel 73, Danso 81, Gallagher 90+6.

Referee: Sam Barrott.

Venue: Villa Park.

Weather: Light winds, 14 degrees.

Attendance: 42,767.