Aston Villa produced a horror show against Tottenham.
It was Unai Emery’s 53rd birthday on Sunday and that second-half performance from Aston Villa was one of the worst under his stewardship.
During the first period, both teams were fairly even, despite the away side leading through Morgan Rogers, with very few clear-cut chances created.
And then Villa collapsed against a team that has injury issues and is supposed to be their top-four rivals.
It needs to be noted that Villa finished above Spurs last season, yet in their last two meetings, the aggregate score reads 8-1 to Tottenham.
It’s embarrassing from Villa’s perspective and now they have to change their focus onto the Champions League and their away clash against Club Brugge on Wednesday night.
When Gabby Agbonlahor was reacting to Villa’s defeat, he decided to stick the boot into the opposition by mentioning the upcoming midweek matches.
Gabby Agbonlahor mocks Tottenham for not being in the Champions League like Aston Villa
John McGinn has tried to look at the positives for Villa, even if this is such a morale-sapping performance and defeat.
If you want to look at the positives, then Villa are sitting top of the Champions League table after three matches.
Agbonlahor was keen to mention that on Twitter and how his former side are in Europe’s elite competition ‘unlike Spurs’.
“Champions League football on some players’ minds! Unlike Spurs playing in some other European competition,” wrote Agbonlahor.
“No fight second half and poor defending… Unai won’t be happy with some of the players.”
What Unai Emery said about Villa’s defeat to Tottenham
Last Wednesday, Villa were knocked out of the EFL Cup by Crystal Palace and Emery made many changes to his XI.
McGinn was the only one to keep his place from Villa’s 1-1 draw against Bournemouth last time out, so that call has now fallen flat on everyone’s face.
But, as per, Emery is always balanced in his reactions – win or lose – and he is remaining calm and looking at the bigger picture, despite the ‘frustrating’ defeat, as he told Aston Villa’s YouTube channel.
“Of course, we are frustrated because we played a fantastic first half,” said Emery. “They were pushing more (in the second half). Even like that, we had a chance to score the second goal. But the match is completely different when they score the second goal.
“The result is bigger than we deserve it. We competed well and were close to getting something here. It’s time to get balance. To keep going. It’s 38 matches and to be consistent in 38 matches is the most important.”
