Aston Villa punish Tottenham’s slow start to claim first league win

Aston Villa condemned Tottenham Hotspur to another defeat as they recovered from a difficult opening to beat Spurs 3-2 in north London on Saturday.

Tottenham remain without a Premier League victory this season and had to wait until Villa were 3-0 ahead before scoring their first league goals of the campaign.

The defeat adds to a miserable start for Roberto De Zerbi’s side, who spent more than £300m on new players in an attempt to avoid another battle for survival after last season’s struggles.

Aston Villa, who had taken only one point from their first four league matches, were themselves searching for a breakthrough after their Europa League-winning squad was heavily disrupted during the transfer window.

But goals from new arrivals Johan Manzambi and Nicolas Jackson, either side of half-time, secured Unai Emery’s side their first league win of the season. Emi Buendia then added a spectacular third before Tottenham mounted a late response.

Spurs began positively, as they have in recent games, but their early pressure quickly faded. Savio was denied twice within seconds by goalkeeper Suzuki, who then reacted well to turn Archie Gray’s powerful effort behind.

Villa broke the deadlock when Manzambi converted Boubacar Kamara’s cross from close range to score his first goal for the club.

Tottenham were unhappy with the circumstances of the goal after a head injury to Micky Van de Ven left them temporarily short at the back. Under new laws, a player receiving treatment for an injury must leave the pitch for at least a minute.

Villa doubled their advantage after Tottenham failed to deal with a long ball through the centre. Nicolas Jackson held off Van Hecke before striking the ball into the ground and beyond goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky.

Buendia completed Villa’s dominant spell 11 minutes from time, sending a superb long-range effort into the top corner. The goal was greeted by a loud chorus of boos, with thousands of home supporters leaving Tottenham Hotspur Stadium early.

Those who stayed were rewarded with a late Spurs revival, although their first goal came with the help of a deflection. Mohammed Kudus persisted to create the opening for Conor Gallagher, whose shot found the bottom corner via Matty Cash’s outstretched foot.

Jan Paul van Hecke then headed in from Andy Robertson’s free-kick with virtually the final touch of the match, but Tottenham could not find an equaliser.

Spurs will now have three weeks to reflect on another defeat during the international break, with the club rooted in the relegation zone.

Villa will hope the victory launches a climb up the table similar to last season’s recovery. Emery’s team also failed to win any of their first five league matches a year ago, but eventually finished fourth.