Tottenham lost to Aston Villa after a comeback defeat.

Without using a true center-back, Tottenham lost 1-2 to visiting Aston Villa in the 13th round of the Premier League.

The clash between the two top-five teams did not disappoint neutral spectators, with opportunities constantly appearing at both ends of the pitch. Both teams had more than 15 shots in the match, with Tottenham missing more clear-cut chances. However, Aston Villa knew how to capitalize on their opportunities to secure three crucial points from North London.

Ollie Watkins (left) and Pau Torres both scored for Aston Villa in their win against Tottenham in North London, Premier League matchday 13, on November 26, 2023. Photo: Reuters

The match saw the ball hit the post or crossbar three times, and four times the ball went into the net but was disallowed. In one instance, in the 52nd minute, visiting striker Leon Bailey curled a shot from outside the penalty area towards the far corner, which goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario pushed onto the post. The ball rebounded right into position, Vicario kissed it, and continued the game.

An open game was predicted beforehand, as Tottenham didn't use a true center-back in this match. Manager Ange Postecoglou stated before the game that he only had three mature defensive players available: center-backs Eric Dier, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, and Oliver Skipp, but none of them started. The home team's two center-backs were primarily full-backs: Emerson Royal and Ben Davies. Another full-back, Destiny Udogie, was deployed as a central midfielder.

Midfielder Brennan Johnson expressed his disappointment at not being able to tap in a close-range finish from a cross by a Tottenham player. Photo: Reuters

The match was exciting right from the start, with Tottenham dominating. Their expected goals (xG) in the first 10 minutes reached 1.42, meaning the total probability of shots on goal was 142%. This figure is higher than seven full 90-minute matches this season, including the Arsenal vs. Man City clash on October 8th.

However, Tottenham had to wait until the 22nd minute to take the lead, when midfielder Giovani Lo Celso's long-range shot deflected off a defender, leaving goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez stunned as the ball went into the net. Aston Villa, however, scored a crucial goal at the end of the first half when midfielder Douglas Luiz delivered a free kick into the penalty area for center-back Pau Torres to head home into the top right corner to equalize. This was Torres' second Premier League goal of the season.

Tottenham continued to pay the price for squandering opportunities in the second half. In the 61st minute, striker Ollie Watkins played a one-two with Youri Tielemans in the midfield before breaking into the penalty area and firing a quick, low shot diagonally into the net. The ball wasn't hit with too much force, but Watkins' quick shot left Vicario with no chance to save it.

A situation where Kulusevski (right) curled a shot that hit the Aston Villa post. Photo: Reuters

Tottenham have lost three consecutive matches, dropping them from the top of the table out of the top four. In all three games, they failed to score despite leading 1-0. Historically, only seven times in the Premier League has a team led 1-0 and then lost three consecutive matches. Facing Man City at the Etihad Stadium in the next round, Tottenham could very well extend their losing streak.

The team that knocked Tottenham out of the Top 4 is Aston Villa. Unai Emery's side have won four of their last five games, continuing to be the sensation of the league. They are only two points behind table-top Arsenal. However, two of Aston Villa's next three opponents are Man City and Arsenal.

Hoang An

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