Conor Gallagher and Richarlison were on target as Tottenham Hotspur moved out of the Premier League relegation zone with a richly-deserved 2-1 victory at top-five hopefuls Aston Villa.
Roberto de Zerbi’s men were aiming to claim back-to-back Premier League victories for the first time since August and got off to a flyer when Gallagher rifled in his first goal for the club from long range on 12 minutes.
Gallagher strike puts Spurs ahead - 'What a time to score your first Tottenham goal'
Video credit: TNT Sports
Villa looked jaded having made seven changes from their UEFA Europa League semi-final first leg with Nottingham Forest and it was no surprise when the away side doubled their advantage through Richarlison’s 25th-minute header.
Richarlison fires Spurs into 'dreamland' as Villa fans boo
Video credit: TNT Sports
The home team continued to labour following the interval but did pull one back deep into stoppage-time through substitute Emiliano Buendia’s header.
The result sees Spurs rise to 17th spot, a point clear of West Ham who drop into the relegation zone.
Villa miss the opportunity to move above Liverpool and remain fifth, six points clear of sixth-placed Bournemouth with three games to play.
Next up, Villa host Nottingham Forest in the UEFA Europa League on Thursday night, live on TNT Sports and HBO Max before visiting relegated Burnley on Sunday.
Spurs are at home to Leeds United a week on Monday.
--
--
SPURS HERO CONOR GALLAGHER ON BIG WIN AND DE ZERBI IMPACT
"It's been the perfect night, but hopefully it's only the start," Gallagher told TNT Sports on the pitch at Villa Park.
"It was a great performance tonight and we want to carry that on for the rest of the season. This is massive for us and hopefully our confidence can start growing."
Asked about de Zerbi's influence, Gallagher added: "I can't speak highly enough of him. He's so good. Every player in the squad has taken to him, it makes you trust him.
"It makes you feel good and confident. He's bringing the best out of players and it's hopefully only the start. Hopefully we can keep learning from him and build a great team."
--
--
THIS IS WHAT IT MEANS TO SPURS AND THEIR SUPPORTERS!
You can watch and stream the Premier League, Men’s and Women’s FA Cup, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League and more on TNT Sports and HBO Max
--
--
WHAT FOOTBALL IS ON TNT SPORTS AND HBO MAX?
HBO Max includes the full range of TNT Sports content and live coverage. In 2026, subscribers can stream exclusive matches from the Premier League, Emirates FA Cup and Adobe Women’s FA Cup, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League and UEFA Conference League,
In addition, across other sports this year, fans can enjoy every Gallagher PREM Rugby match, Premiership Women’s Rugby, live Grand Tour cycling broadcasts including every stage of the Tour de France, every match from the Australian Open and Roland-Garros, every MotoGP, World Superbikes and British Superbikes race, plus the World Snooker Tour, the winter sports season, Speedway GP, Olympic Games Los Angeles 2028 and much more.
The service offers subscribers a standalone TNT Sports plan or ability to purchase alongside select HBO Max plans, providing fans with the ultimate sports streaming experience that includes innovative in-app features across key sports and events - putting fans in control of how they watch.
TNT Sports continues to be distributed via existing partners in the UK & Ireland. Fans who subscribe to TNT Sports via partners in the UK can access it on HBO Max.
--
--
THE TNT SPORTS EXPERTS REACTS TO A MASSIVE VICTORY FOR SPURS
Karen Carney: "If De Zerbi had been in for longer, I'm not sure they'd be in this position. Aston Villa were thinking about the semi-final. The door was left open by the West Ham result yesterday, and they've taken the opportunity."
Glenn Hoddle: "Tottenham were brilliant today. I've never seen a team close a side down like Villa did. They won't care about the goal they conceded at the end. Spurs have the three points tucked in the bag, and now they have to do exactly the same against Leeds."
Kolo Muani celebrates with Spurs fans as he comes off
Video credit: TNT Sports
--
--
SAMBA STAT
90+7'
90+7'
FULL TIME
Aston Villa 1-2 Tottenham Hotspur.
Image credit: Getty Images
Lucy Ward on TNT Sports comms: "Conor Gallagher is my man of the match. He's been absolutely immense. He's led by example, and it's felt like there's been three of him on the pitch. Took his goal very well."
90+5'
90+5'
GOAL! - ASTON VILLA 1-2 TOTTENHAM: (BUENDIA)
The substitute flicks a superb header into the far corner from a right-wing cross.
That is surely too late to rescue it for the hosts, but it has silenced the away crowd -albeit briefly!
Ward on TNT Sports comms: "It's a great ball, and an even better header from Buendia. Something positive for Villa to end the game with."
90+3'
90+3'
STAT!
Darren Fletcher on TNT Sports comms: "This is Unai Emery's 191st game in all competitions as Aston Villa manager. He has never been in charge of a game here where his side have failed to have a shot on target, but that is the scenario tonight."
Meanwhile, Gallagher blots his copybook slightly with a late yellow card.
90+2'
90+2'
TOTTENHAM CHANGES
Sarr and Bergvall on.
Richarlison and Tel off.
90'
90'
STOPPAGE TIME
Five minutes added.
88'
88'
ASTON VILLA ATTEMPT
Mings guides a header just over the crossbar from a right-wing corner.
That's pretty much the only thing Villa have offered this evening.
86'
86'
ASTON VILLA CHANGES
Bunedia and Bailey on.
Sancho and Barkley off.
85'
85'
IS TOTTENHAM'S SURVIVAL PUSH ABOUT TO TRULY IGNITE?
Lucy Ward on TNT Sports comms: "The Spurs fans are starting to believe. I'm sure they won't truly believe until about 10 seconds left, but the signs are looking good.
"The desire to win duels and work hard for the team has been a massive part of this Spurs performance."
84'
84'
TOTTENHAM ATTEMPT
Danso meets a right-wing corner but his header is straight at Martinez.
82'
82'
YELLOW CARD!
Danso booked for man-handling Watkins.
80'
80'
EMERY FINALLY TURNS TO HIS BENCH
The Villans are about to make some changes, but will it come too late in the day to rescue this?
78'
78'
YELLOW CARD!
Rogers booked for dissent.
76'
76'
VILLA HAVE YET TO HAVE A SHOT
Emery's men just haven't been able to match Tottenham's hunger.
/assets.tntsports.io/web/img/match/football-header-bg-mobile.jpg)
/images.sports.gracenote.com/images/lib/basic/sport/football/club/logo/300/4010.png){kind=logo}
/images.sports.gracenote.com/images/lib/basic/sport/football/club/logo/300/4129.png){kind=logo}
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2026/05/03/image-612e8e57-f62b-42e8-987a-2868a12a42b3-85-2560-1440.jpeg)
/assets.eurosport.io/web/icons/livecomments/action-whistle.png)
/assets.eurosport.io/web/icons/livecomments/action-whistle.png){kind=icon}
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2026/05/03/image-b91cd7f4-6808-4135-94ea-2639f56897a4.jpeg)
/assets.eurosport.io/web/icons/livecomments/action-goal.png)
/assets.eurosport.io/web/icons/livecomments/action-goal.png){kind=icon}
/assets.eurosport.io/web/icons/livecomments/action-card-yellow.png)
/assets.eurosport.io/web/icons/livecomments/action-card-yellow.png){kind=icon}
/assets.eurosport.io/web/icons/livecomments/action-substitution.png)
/assets.eurosport.io/web/icons/livecomments/action-substitution.png){kind=icon}
Gallagher strike puts Spurs ahead - 'What a time to score your first Tottenham goal'
Video credit: TNT Sports
Richarlison fires Spurs into 'dreamland' as Villa fans boo
Video credit: TNT Sports