Tottenham Hotspur eased Premier League relegation fears with a crucial 2-1 win over Aston Villa to move above West Ham United and out of the bottom three on Sunday.
West Ham’s defeat to Brentford the day before opened the door for Tottenham, and they took full advantage thanks to Conor Gallagher’s low shot and Richarlison’s header that punished a lackluster Villa in the opening 25 minutes.
Fifth-place Villa were poor as they appeared to have one eye on Thursday’s Europa League semi-final second leg against Nottingham Forest, and their only effort on target was Emiliano Buendia’s consolation header seconds before the final whistle.
Tottenham had gone 15 games without a win in the league and were on their way to their first relegation since 1977 before finally ending the mess at Wolverhampton Wanderers last week.
Despite a host of injuries, the side returned to the West Midlands to put in a performance unrecognizable from most of what it has served up this season.
New manager Roberto de Zerbi has now taken seven points from his first four games and although Tottenham are far from safe, they have momentum and confidence heading into the final three games of the season.
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The win lifted the side to 17th place with 37 points from 35 games, with West Ham on 36 from 35. It also has a much higher goal difference than its London rivals. Nottingham Forest are 16th with 39 points.
«The season is not over yet. From Monday evening we still have three games to play with Leeds; they are playing very well,» said a cautious De Zerbi.
«We must not forget what the situation was like before Wolves. It was very sad, and these memories must remain in our minds.»
Villa remain in fifth place with 58 points and remain strong to secure Champions League qualification.
Suspicions that Tottenham were heading to Villa Park at an opportune time were confirmed when home manager Unai Emery made seven changes to his line-up, with Ollie Watkins, Ezri Konsa, Pau Torres and Lucas Digne all on the bench and John McGinn not at risk due to a muscle injury.
Perfect time
Tottenham’s intensity overwhelmed the hosts in the opening stages, and they got the start they wanted when Gallagher chose the perfect moment to score his first goal for the club.
He controlled a high ball on the edge of the area in the 12th minute, took a touch and fired just inside the post past a diving Emiliano Martinez.
It was almost 2-0 minutes later when Joao Palhinha’s drive rebounded off the post.
Villa could barely get a tap in as the home fans vented their frustration, and things got worse for the hosts in the 25th minute when Mathys Tel whipped in a cross and Richarlison met the ball with a powerful header past Martinez.
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Tottenham appeared to be in control after that and Buendia’s response came far too late to cause any nerves among the visiting fans, who celebrated wildly at the final whistle.
Tottenham face Leeds at home a week later on Monday, the day after West Ham host leaders Arsenal.
After three successive defeats in all competitions, Villa will have to rediscover their nerve quickly if they are to overturn a 1-0 deficit at home to Forest next week.
«In the first half we didn’t perform well; in the second half we responded, but it wasn’t enough,» Emery said. “(Thursday) is a different game, a different competition.
“We are in the semi-finals and of course we are going to enjoy the match and the process.”
Published on May 4, 2026
