Son Heung-min struck a last-gasp winner as Tottenham clinched a dramatic 3-2 victory at Aston Villa to boost their Champions League hopes.
The South Korea forward cashed in on Bjorn Engels' stoppage-time error to snatch the three points for Jose Mourinho's side after Engels' 53rd-minute header had looked like earning Villa a priceless point in their fight against relegation.
Son's first goal, following up after Pepe Reina saved his penalty, had given Spurs the lead at the break after Toby Alderweireld's equaliser cancelled out his early own goal.
Fifth place in the Premier League is now likely to offer a Champions League spot following Manchester City's two-year European ban, although it is yet to officially be confirmed and City are appealing.
The result moved Spurs - who face fellow European hopefuls Chelsea and Wolves in their next two top-flight games - above surprise package Sheffield United into fifth, while Villa remained a point above the drop zone in 17th.
Reaction
- Quotes via Sky Sports
"We deserved the win"
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) February 16, 2020
Match-winner Heung-Min Son reacts to a vital three points at Villa Park
Watch Super Sunday now on Sky Sports PL or follow online here: https://t.co/nlauvDfv8X pic.twitter.com/cT6fZ1eZeH
"Nobody in the stadium thought it was a penalty"
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) February 16, 2020
Dean Smith believes VAR will once again steal the headlines away from an entertaining game at Villa Park
More: https://t.co/iZEFUL1N6s pic.twitter.com/WqFxjc25It
Toby Alderweireld: "I think it was a bad performance [from me]. It was a beautiful week for me with the birth of my son yesterday. I had to travel eight hours and it was difficult because my legs were not sharp. But I'm happy that I helped the team a little bit with the goal, but it was a bad performance. I think the lads helped me a lot today. It's a big week for us, so to win here late on is big for our mentality. We have to improve our game, but at this stage of the competition we just needed to get the three points."
Heung-Min Son: "It was the same as against Southampton, but I was waiting for the keeper to move. It was a great save he made just before but I didn't give up and luckily I scored. I'm really happy to help this team. We were 1-0 down so this showed the lads' character. We din't give up even at 2-2. I felt bad as I had a couple of chances to score, but in the last seconds, it makes me really happy. The lads deserved it I think."
Graeme Souness: "It was a scrappy game, but it was enjoyable. How much the wind played its part in it, we don't know. It was just a ball forward from Davinson Sanchez, and it's surprised Engels. He's not on his toes, and he's tried to put his studs on it to put it where it came from. You're looking to make your foot as big as possible, so he should open it out and take it wit the inside of his foot. It was a fabulous finish under pressure from Son, he got his angles right."
Opta stats
- Aston Villa are without victory in their last 10 Premier League matches against sides from London (D1 L9), since a 1-0 win versus Crystal Palace in January 2016.
- Tottenham have lost just one of their last 19 matches against Aston Villa in all competitions (W15 D3), losing in the Premier League in April 2015 (0-1).
- Tottenham are unbeaten in their last 23 Premier League away games against promoted sides (W19 D4) since a 0-1 loss at QPR in April 2012.
- Son Heung-min's goal after 93 minutes and 34 seconds is Spurs' latest winning goal in the Premier League since August 2009, when Aaron Lennon netted after 94 minutes and 24 seconds against Birmingham.
- Aston Villa’s Jack Grealish has had a direct hand in 13 goals in the Premier League this season (7 goals & 6 assists), five more than the next Villa player and more than any other English midfielder.
- Aston Villa midfielder Jack Grealish has provided more assists in all competitions in 2019-20 than he has in any other season in his career (8).
- Tottenham’s Son Heung-min became the first Asian player in Premier League history to reach 50 goals in the competition (51 in total after his brace). Indeed, he’s the sixth Spurs player to reach this milestone after Teddy Sheringham, Robbie Keane, Jermain Defoe, Harry Kane and Christian Eriksen.
- Toby Alderweireld became the third Tottenham Hotspur player to score for and against his own side in the same Premier League game, after Gareth Bale vs Liverpool in November 2012 and Chris Armstrong vs Arsenal in March 2000.
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