Premier League

ASTON VILLA 1 (Buendia 90+6)
TOTTENHAM 2 (Gallagher 12, Richarlison 25)

THEY might not be out of the woods just yet, but Tottenham’s pathway to Premier League survival is now clear and back in their hands.

This vital 2-1 away win at Aston Villa not only pushes West Ham back into the bottom three, but it also sets a confident tone for Roberto De Zerbi’s charges when they need it most.

Goals from Conor Gallagher and Richarlison sealed the win, and De Zerbi was thrilled by the dominating manner it was completed in.

Speaking afterwards, De Zerbi said: “We played very well when we had to attack the space or to shoot. My job is to help them show what they are capable of.”

And the Spurs manager said it was vital the players now fixed their dreadful home form. Two of the three remaining fixtures are at Tottenham, where Spurs have not won in six months: they last enjoyed the taste of three points in a win against Brentford at the start of December.

De Zerbi added: “Just one time we have played at home and the atmosphere was amazing in the stadium. I think it was a mental problem and these two wins, I hope we can play with more confidence and better mentality.”

While Lucas Bergvall and Archie Gray are the two midfielders coveted the most by other clubs, and who have the biggest price tags should Spurs go down, the De Zerbi bounce has coincided with the return from injury of Rodrigo Bentancur. Bergvall and Gray have been benched.

In their place, the experienced trio of Bentancur, Joao Palhinha and Gallagher have stepped in and stepped up. Against Villa, they were magnificent. From the start, they scampered, hustled and harried off the ball, and when Spurs had possession, they exuded calmness.

It was on 12 minutes – and after some relentless pressure – that Gallagher got his first Premier League goal in Spurs colours. Some Villa indecision saw them concede a throw-in deep inside their territory. Kevin Danso flung the ball into the mix: it was cleared, but the lurking Gallagher snaffled the ball up and let fly from outside the D. His low drive was perfectly placed and Emiliano Martinez could not move across the face of the goal quick enough to get anywhere near it.

It was a dream start, and it then got better.

The Spurs second on 25 came from another spell of pressure, which saw the visitors send two corners in quick succession into the box. Richarlison was in the midst of a squabble of Villa defenders but his determination got him highest and his header doubled the lead.

Richarlison’s hunter instincts were well-paired with Gallagher’s pressing, and Tottenham almost extended their advantage further. Palhinha smacked a post, while Mathys Tel and Randal Kolo Muani both fluffed chances.

Meanwhile, at the other end of the pitch, Antonin Kinsky in the Spurs goal was never troubled, bar Villa’s injury-time consolation, which saw substitute Emi Buendia pull a goal back with seconds left, heading home Matty Cash’s cross.

Reflecting on his Tottenham opener after the game, Gallagher said: “It’s always a relief to get the first goal and hopefully a few more can come now. The fans have had a really rough time this season. Hopefully, this can be the start of something great.”

Gallagher also hailed De Zerbi’s impact on the team, adding: “I can’t speak highly enough of him. He’s been so good. Every player in the squad has taken to him; he makes you feel so good. He brings the best out of you.”

Aston Villa: Martinez, Cash, Lindelof, Mings, Maatsen, Bogarde, Tielemans, Rogers, Barkley (Buendia, 84), Sancho (Bailey, 85), Abraham (Watkins, 60)
Substitutes not used: Bizot, Konsa, Digne, Pau, Garcia, Luiz

Tottenham: Kinsky, Porro, Danso, van de Ven, Udogie, Palhinha, Bentancur (Bissouma, 67), Tel (Bergvall, 90+1), Gallagher, Kolo Muani (Spence, 67), Richarlison (Sarr, 90+1)
Substitutes not used: Austin, Dragusin,, Maddison, Gray, Souza