Aston Villa 2-1 Tottenham: Player ratings as Villa win improves Europe hopes

Aston Villa bolstered their Europa League qualification hopes by beating Tottenham 2-1 thanks to strikes from Jacob Ramsey and Douglas Luiz.

Ramsey's eighth-minute effort had the Villans in control for most of the contest as Spurs spluttered in attack before Luiz's curled free kick in the second half put the hosts firmly in control.

Harry Kane pulled one back late on from the penalty spot but Villa saw out the closing moments to secure all three points.

It's their first Premier League double over Tottenham since 1995/96 and sees Villa draw level on points with the north London side, who are only ahead on goal difference.

It was another sleepy start from Spurs, who once again found themselves behind early on as Ramsey opened the scoring.

Leon Bailey worked a yard of space and pulled his cross towards the young midfield, who coolly placed his effort beyond Fraser Forster into the bottom corner.

It was the seventh time in their last five league games Spurs had conceded in the opening ten minutes and no signs of life were evident from Ryan Mason's side as Villa dominated every aspect.

The visitors' only threatening moments came when Richarlison and Son Heung-min tried to beat the offside trap, but time and time again they were caught straying too early.

Forster stopped Villa going 2-0 just after the half hour mark. Pedro Porro gave away possession, allowing Ramsey and Watkins to combine before Bailey's effort was scooped away from danger by the big Englishman.

It was the crossbar that kept Villa's lead at one just before half time. Buendia shimmied away from traffic in the box but could only fire his effort against the woodwork.

Buendia worked Forster again early in the second half before Kane squandered Tottenham's best opening, having created 0.00 (xG) in the first 45 minutes.

Douglas Luiz was caught in midfield and presented the ball straight to the England captain, but Martinez didn't flinch and blocked the central effort.

Yves Bissouma and Dejan Kulusevski were introduced in the 62nd minute and the Swede went close straight away, cutting in from the right and arrowing a left-footed effort just wide of the far post.

Those substitutions made a slight impact but Tottenham were soon 2-0 down. Watkins won a free kick and Luiz whipped a shot towards the far corner - Forster couldn't scurry across quick enough and palmed the ball into the roof of the net.

The deflated Spurs did manufacture a route back into the game from the spot. Kane nipped in ahead of the diving Martinez and went to ground, with referee Peter Bankes awarding a penalty.

Kane whacked in his 27th Premier League goal of the season before six minutes of added time were announced, but Villa kept Spurs at an arm's length to set up a battle for sixth in the final two games of both sides' seasons.

Aston Villa player ratings (4-4-2)

GK: Emiliano Martinez - 6/10 - Important save to deny Kane from a Luiz error. Only brought into action when Spurs broke, but the offside flag went up more often than not. Had a penalty call go against his and couldn't put Kane off.

RB: Ashley Young - 7/10 - The more cautious of Villa's full backs and wasn't even needed for that much defensive work.

CB: Ezri Konsa - 8/10 - Was disciplined as Villa enforced a high line, restricting Tottenham of any space to work and create chances.

CB: Tyrone Mings - 8/10 - Nodded away Spurs' attempted passes over the top and marshalled the high line well.

LB: Alex Moreno - 7/10 - Rarely beaten in the tackle out wide and stayed compact in defence.

RM: Leon Bailey - 7/10 - Buzzed around out wide, always looking menacing. Picked out Ramsey for the opener and might have scored himself on another day.

CM: John McGinn - 9/10 - Dominated midfield, shielding the ball and setting Villa on their way on the counter. Got booked but was everywhere to deny Spurs away wriggle room.

CM: Douglas Luiz - 8/10 - One brainfart gave Kane a one-v-one which Villa survived. Mattered little as Spurs' midfield offered little before Luiz curled in the second from a free kick.

LM: Jacob Ramsay - 8/10 - Started really brightly, arriving on cue to belt in Bailey's pass. Had a few other chances and linked up nicely with his attacking colleagues.

ST: Emiliano Buendia - 7/10 - Tested Forster with a couple of strikes and often found space away from Spurs' unaware defenders.

ST: Ollie Watkins - 6/10 - Had one shot at goal and created another chance. Might have been on the end of a cross here or there but was dogged in his pressing.

Substitutes

SUB: Jhon Duran (68' for Buendia) - 6/10

SUB: Boubacar Kamara (68' for Bailey) - 6/10

SUB: Matty Cash (90' for Watkins) - N/A

Manager

Unai Emery - 7/10 - Villa stifled Spurs and charged at the visitors quickly when they won possession. They dropped off in the second half but a few moments of quality earned Emery the win.

Current Premier League table, top scorers & upcoming fixtures

Tottenham player ratings (3-4-3)

GK: Fraser Forster - 6/10 - Made a couple of important stops. Little he could do for the first goal but probably gave himself too much ground to cover Luiz's free kick.

CB: Emerson Royal - 4/10 - Was erratic alongside his partners in defence.

CB: Cristian Romero - 4/10 - Charged around in chaotic fashion, sometimes mopping up danger and sometimes creating it. Dashed out of the back line before Ramsey fired in the opener.

CB: Clement Lenglet - 3/10 - Won a couple of headers in defence but never looked comfortable when Bailey ran at him.

RWB: Pedro Porro - 3/10 - Few opportunities to find Kane in the opposition box and Villa enjoyed their bursts down Porro's right hand side throughout.

CM: Oliver Skipp - 3/10 - Nowhere near the levels of McGinn and Luiz but isn't being helped by the lack of structure throughout the team elsewhere.

CM: Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg - 4/10 - One piece of harrying earned Kane a shot at goal. Made a couple of tackles but so much of his play looked rushed and last minute.

LWB: Ben Davies - 4/10 - Actually looks comfortable on the left, which is more than can be said for a lot of Tottenham's left wing back play this season. Couldn't hold back the tide.

RF: Son Heung-min - 4/10 - Eventually stuck the ball in the net in second half stoppage time, but was once for the fourth and final time.

LF: Richarlison - 2/10 - The Brazilian looked clunky in possession and couldn't hold his runs when Kane clipped balls in behind. Showed absolutely nothing, really.

ST: Harry Kane - 6/10 - Squandered a gift from Luiz but got on the scoresheet with a late penalty. His excellent individual campaign continues.

Substitutes

SUB: Dejan Kulusevski (62' for Richarlison) - 6/10

SUB: Yves Bissouma (62' for Skipp) - 6/10

SUB: Arnaut Danjuma (81' for Porro) - N/A

SUB: Ivan Perisic (90' for Davies) - N/A

Manager

Ryan Mason - 3/10 - Spurs' structure needs serious addressing, though it seems unlikely Mason can make any sweeping changes in the remainder of the season.

Player of the match - John McGinn (Aston Villa)