Marcus Rashford debuts, Vilnes dump sorry FA Cup from Spurs
Aston Villa secured their spot in the fifth round of the FA Cup with a 2-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur at Villa Park.
Despite the slow fear from visitors, Unai Emery’s side worked hard to bring about dominant performances, creating many opportunities and ultimately claiming a deserved victory.
The game got off to a sensational host start as Jacob Ramsey advanced the villa within the opening minutes.
Morgan Rodgers’ sharp play in the midfield led him to a fully weighted pass through Ramsey’s before he slipped past the three Spurs players.
The midfielder’s shot was straight with Tottenham goalkeeper Antonin Kinski, but the young stopper couldn’t deal with it, and the ball went through him and wrapped himself in the net.
Villa continued to control the lawsuit throughout the first half, creating a string of opportunities.
Donyell Malen, Leon Bailey, Youri Tielemans and Rogers all tested Kinsky, but Spurs managed to avoid further punishment.
Leave the FA cup. pic.twitter.com/djaxb1ohox
– Tottenham Hotspur (@spursofficial) February 9, 2025
Meanwhile, Tottenham struggled to create many attacks with attacks, and their best chance fell on Heung Min’s son. During the break, the score was only 1-0 despite villa control.
Tottenham came out with more intentions in the second half. Yves Bizma, Dejan Krucevsky and his son all made early efforts to find a way back to the game.
However, the villas maintained their offensive threat and were ultimately rewarded for their pressure shortly after the hour mark.
Mullen played 1-2 with Bailey before driving a low ball across the face of the goal. Pedro Polo’s desperate clearance fell straight to Rogers, who did not make a mistake in the lead of the double villa from close range.
The Spurs, now chasing the game, were pushed forward, but in vain before the goal. Mathys Tel, Danso and Son all had the opportunity to pull one back.
Alternate Marcus Rashford had no doubt the opportunity to slow the game down, but his intense touches escaped the opportunity.
As the game entered suspension time, Tottenham finally found a breakthrough. Kulusevski whipped with an excellent cross from the right, and Tel met a skillful volley of volleys on the outside of his foot, leading the ball to a far corner.
The goal gave the Spurs a faint hope of hope, with four minutes remaining playing, but Villa kept holding on to secure the victory.
This victory means Villa will advance to the FA Cup five rounds for the first time since the 2014-15 campaign, when it reached the final.
But for Tottenham, it marks another frustrating exit from domestic cup competitions, adding to the recent struggle under Ange Postecoglou.
The Spurs have proven once again expensive to be unable to spend their chances and their defensive frailty, and hopes for silverware this season are hanging in thread.