ASTON VILLA BEAT TOTTENHAM 3-2 TO SECURE FIRST PREMIER LEAGUE WIN OF THE SEASON

Aston Villa secured their first Premier League win of the season by beating Tottenham Hotspur 3-2 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday. Goals from Johan Manzambi, Nicolas Jackson and Emiliano Buendía gave Unai Emery’s side a commanding lead before late strikes from Conor Gallagher and Jan Paul van Hecke set up a tense finish for the hosts.

Tottenham began brightly and tested new Villa goalkeeper Zion Suzuki repeatedly in the opening exchanges. According to Birmingham Live, the Japan international made four saves inside the first twenty minutes, denying Savio on three separate occasions and adjusting his body to tip an effort from Archie Gray wide. The early pressure did not yield a goal, however, and Villa gradually settled into the contest.

The breakthrough arrived deep into first-half stoppage time. With Spurs captain Micky van de Ven temporarily off the pitch receiving treatment after a collision with Tyrone Mings, Andy Robertson’s attempted clearance kept the ball in play. John McGinn fed Boubacar Kamara, whose cross was turned in by Manzambi to give the visitors a lead they carried into the interval.

Tottenham thought they had levelled shortly after the hour mark when Mohammed Kudus converted a cross from Robertson, but Sky Sports reports that VAR intervened to rule the goal out for offside. Villa punished the reprieve almost immediately, with Jackson finding the bottom corner in the 67th minute to double the advantage after controlling the ball inside the penalty area.

Buendía put the result beyond doubt eleven minutes from full time. The Argentine midfielder struck a powerful effort from 25 yards that left the home goalkeeper with no chance, prompting The Independent to note celebrations among the travelling supporters. It was a familiar scenario for Buendía, who has a history of scoring impressive goals at this ground.

Gallagher ended Tottenham’s lengthy league goal drought with a close-range finish in the 87th minute, aided by a deflection off Matty Cash. Van Hecke headed in a second consolation moments later, but the damage was already done. Sky Sports confirmed that Roberto De Zerbi’s side head into the upcoming break without a single Premier League victory, while Villa finally have points on the board after a summer of significant squad rebuilding.

The result follows Wednesday’s 3-1 League Cup success at Coventry City and gives Emery a platform to build upon when Brentford visit Villa Park next month. For Tottenham, patience appears to be wearing thin despite considerable investment over the summer.