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Premier League | Gameweek 13

Nov 26, 2023 at 2pm UK

Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

Spurs
1 - 2
Aston Villa

Lo Celso (22')

FT(HT: 1-1)

Torres (45+7'), Watkins (61')
Cash (27'), Kamara (38'), McGinn (41'), Watkins (82')

Unai Emery encouraged by Aston Villa mentality during win over Tottenham Hotspur

By Darren Plant, Senior Reporter | 26 November 2023

Emery encouraged by Villa mentality during win over Spurs

Unai Emery says that he had been left encouraged by the application of his Aston Villa side as they came from behind to defeat Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League.

Unai Emery has hinted that he was left impressed with the mentality of his Aston Villa side as they recorded a 2-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.

Although Villa went into the game with a perfect home record, they travelled to North London having prevailed in just two of their six away games in the Premier League this season.

Villa seemed on their way to a fourth defeat when Giovani Lo Celso put Spurs in front in the first half, only for Pau Torres to net an equaliser before the break.

The turnaround was complete in the second half, with Ollie Watkins scoring his seventh top-flight goal of the season to secure an impressive win against one of their rivals for Champions League qualification.

As a result of their victory at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Villa sit in fourth position in the standings, just two points adrift of leaders Arsenal.

While Emery is unlikely to carried away by the result and performance, the Spaniard could not hide his pride in how his Villa players worked to his gameplan and secured another important three points.

Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins celebrates scoring against Tottenham Hotspur on November 26, 2023 © Reuters

Speaking to reporters at a press conference, as quoted by the Birmingham Mail, Emery said: "Three points, it was an amazing match, both teams different ways tactically but really hard, really tough.

"They created chances, we created chances. We were efficient and clinical in the attack. I enjoyed it, but I lost all my energy.

"Each match is three points, but of course Tottenham were one point ahead of us and they are strong with their fans. It is very difficult. We are getting something in the way we are building.

"After the work we did on Friday, yesterday, this morning, we were very focused on the match. Analysing, preparing and focusing on each match. The players played in the gameplan were prepared and they were successful."

Villa are next in Premier League action when they make the trip to the South Coast to face Bournemouth on December 3.

Before that, Villa will play host to Legia Warsaw in the Europa Conference League, aware that victory by a two-goal margin will seal top spot in Group E with a game to spare.