This was, in theory, the most attractive match of this FA Cup round in terms of names. But the context of the two teams could not have been more different. Tottenham arrived sunk in a crisis of results and, worse than that, of football itself. A team without build-up, without creativity, reduced to long balls and meaningless crosses. On the other side stood a solid and confident Aston Villa, proving week after week that they are one of the best teams in England this season.
For Tottenham, there were no excuses. Taking the FA Cup seriously was an obligation. This club needs to fight for something, and the idea of downplaying the competition would make no sense at all. Thomas Frank went with his strongest lineup, but that alone does not solve structural problems.
From early on, the tone of the match was clear. Without the ball, Tottenham defended in a very deep 4-4-2, with all players behind the ball. There was a moment in the 12th minute that summed everything up. All 11 Tottenham players were inside their own half, while Aston Villa’s center backs were positioned beyond the halfway line. For a team that sells itself as attacking and bold, that is very little.
Aston Villa, even without being brilliant, were smarter. In the 22nd minute, McGinn started the move, Malen held the ball up with his strength, Buendía found space and finished. A simple but well-worked goal, scored at a moment when Tottenham were actually growing into the game. A cold shower.
The first half became increasingly uncomfortable for Spurs. Richarlison went off injured, Kolo Muani came on, Xavi Simons tried to inject energy, Mathys Tel added some imbalance, but everything lacked consequence. And when it seemed the half would end with “only” 1-0, the second blow arrived. A turnover, quick circulation from Aston Villa, a delightful backheel from Buendía and Morgan Rogers finishing. 2-0. Boos at home. Fully deserved.
In the second half, Tottenham came out as required. More possession, more pressure, more risk. Xavi Simons began to show up more and, in the 54th minute, Kolo Muani won the ball back and Oddobert finished. The game was alive.
But Tottenham’s recurring problem returned. An inability to sustain good moments. The press worked, yes, but with too many fouls, little control and no bench to change the direction of the game. Thomas Frank waited far too long to make changes. When he finally did, Aston Villa had already regained possession, tempo and composure.
Tottenham even scored again, once more through Xavi Simons, but the offside was clear. From there, the game slowly died. Villa managed it, Tottenham lost themselves. In the end, there was no shock at all. Aston Villa move on, and Tottenham, once again, fall by the wayside.
Post-match
Another elimination, another disappointment for Tottenham, but also another demonstration of Aston Villa’s competitive maturity. The 2-1 win in London was no accident. It was a game won by a team that knows how to suffer, knows how to wait and knows how to punish mistakes.
Tottenham reacted well at the start of the second half, scored early, gained some momentum and for a few minutes gave the feeling they could chase the equalizer. But that moment did not last long. From around the 60th to the 65th minute, they completely lost control of the match and allowed Aston Villa to manage the tempo with relative ease.
Thomas Frank once again comes out weakened. The team continues without a clear identity. Bringing Solanke on only in the 82nd minute is very hard to justify.
But it would be unfair to look only at Tottenham’s negative side. Aston Villa, even without playing a brilliant match, were extremely competent. They knew how to exploit spaces, were clinical when chances came and showed a maturity that is not built overnight. Unai Emery never panicked, even after conceding.
This is exactly what separates teams on the rise from teams that are lost. Villa know who they are, know how they play and know what to do. Tottenham do not.