FA CUP THIRD ROUND
SATURDAY 10TH JANUARY, 2026
(5.45 PM)
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 1(0) ASTON VILLA 2(2)

Spurs scorer:-
Odobert, 54

Villa scorers:-
Buendia, 22
Rogers, 45+3

Attendance:- 57,718

Referee:- Craig Pawson
Assistants:- Lee Betts & Matthew Wilkes
Fourth Official:- Michael Salisbury

Teams:-
Spurs (4-2-3-1):- 1. Vicario; 23. Pedro Porro (sub 24. Spence, 83), 4. Danso, 37. Van de Ven (Capt.), 33. Davies; 14. Gray, 6. Palhinha; 28. Odobert (sub 19. Solanke, 83), 7. Xavi, 11. Tel (sub 44. Scarlett, 78); 9. Richarlison (sub 39. Kolo Muani, 31)

Subs not used:- 31. Kinsky; 3. Dragusin, 13. Udogie; 67. Byfield; 68. Williams-Barnett

Booked:- Gray (foul on Buendia), Pedro Porro (dissent), Palhinha (foul on Rogers)

Aston Villa (4-2-3-1):- 40. Bizot; 2. Cash (sub 16. Andres Garcia, 79), 4. Konsa, 14. Torres, 22. Maatsen (sub 12. Digne, 78); 44. Kamara (sub 8. Tielemans, 9), 26. Bogarde; 7. McGinn (Capt.) (sub 19. Sancho, 65), 10. Buendia, 27. Rogers; 17. Malen (sub 11. Watkins, 65)
(Armband to Konsa)

Subs not used:- 64. Wright; 3. Lindelof, 5. Mings; 53. Hemmings

Booked:- Buendia (foul on Gray), Andres Garcia (foul on Xavi)

Spurs show some passion, but too late

Spurs have been eliminated from the FA Cup at the first hurdle for the first time since 2014. That was also to a Premier League club, and also to a team whose name begins with A. Yes, it was the one down the road. In the first half we were overrun and out-classed by a Villa side which is challenging that other team whose name begins with A for the Premier League title.

Had we shown the fight and passion we displayed after the interval, we might have got a better result. We did have two "goals" disallowed, but the offside decisions against us were clearly correct. We didn't need the absent VAR to tell us that.

At late notice this week, the club decided to commemorate the 125th anniversary of our famous 1901 FA Cup win. Season ticket holders were invited to collect their "souvenir" pin from the Spurs Experience desk. The players wore a special embossed all-white kit, a replica of which could be purchased for a handsome sum. The actual anniversary will be in late April, but the powers that be obviously realised we were not going to be in what used to be "our" competition. 36 years will now be the minimum gap between FA Cup Final appearances.

It has been a very sad week for the club off the pitch with the losses of Martin Chivers and Terry Yorath. Family members and former team-mates lined the touchline for the minute's applause which was warmly recognised by the travelling army of Villa fans who occupied three tiers in the North-East corner, as is their right in these games.

There was a welcome inclusion of long term absentee Dominic Solanke and left back Destiny Udogie on the bench. Kevin Danso replaced the suspended Romero.

Spurs kicked off and played towards the North stand. Tackles were flying in everywhere and Kamara needed early treatment before being replaced by Tielemans.

Danso and Pedro Porro were having trouble dealing with the trio of Buendia, Rogers and Malen, who seemed to be concentrating on our right flank. Buendia was the first to try a shot from 25 yards which passed over the target.

Ben Davies was our left back and he sent Wilson Odobert away. Odobert had a pop at goal, but Bizot held the shot. Micky van de Ven was captain for the day, and he tried to lead his team by example, finding his way to an attacking position on the right before a cross was sent in, where Tel was unable to find a shot. Tel even had a shot following a Pedro Porro cross and that passed across goal and went out for a throw!

Villa's first goal came as no surprise. They had been finding the spaces, and this was a clinical attack. Malen made the final pass, teeing up Buendia for a left foot finish hitting the roof of the net. It wasn't long before Vicario was having to pat away a long distance rocket shot by Matty Cash, who as usual, was being booed by the Spurs fans. (A historic injury to Bentancur comes to mind)

Richarlison went to ground with what looked like a hamstring injury after an innocuous challenge with Konsa inside the Villa area. While he was being treated, Thomas Frank called players to the touchline, then raced back to the bench for his tablet to illustrate what he wanted the players to do. Remember the days when coaches just told the players what to do?

Richarlison had to be replaced by Kolo Muani. The Spurs injury plague goes on, but maybe Solanke will be ready to start next week against West Ham.

The visiting fans chanted "Thomas Frank is an Arsenal fan!," following that picture at Bournemouth on Wednesday night.

There was danger in the Spurs area following a corner on the right. Buendia's shot was blocked. Odobert won a corner at the other end, taken by Tel with Danso's looped header going over the target. Xavi chipped a pass to Muani, who, in turn, chipped over the goalie, but he had clearly been offside.

After a foul on Palhinha and a free kick by Pedro Porro, eventually played to Davies, Danso hit a shot wide across the goal.

Five minutes of added time were indicated and in the first of these, Vicario picked up McGinn's shot. In the third added minute, Rogers was allowed a run from right to centre across the edge of the box, before beating Vicario with a left-footed shot. The game looked lost.

At half-time, former colleagues of "Big Chiv" lined up to share their memories of the great man. These included contempories such as Phil Beal and Pat Jennings. Phil's 81st birthday was on Thursday, the day after Martin passed away and one of the first cards he opened was that signed by his friend and colleague.

There were no half-time changes. Vicario got away with an early poor pass. Xavi had a shot well saved by Bizot and following the corner, Ben Davies had a shot over the bar. We got a goal back when Muani sent Odobert away. Wilson made a bee-line for goal and beat the Villa keeper with a right-footed shot across his bows.

We had a game again, and the home crowd urged their team on enthusiastically. Xavi had another shot saved. Spurs were putting on the pressure and attacking! Odobert had another shot held after Archie Gray's pass. Malen had a shot comfortably held by Vicario.

Malen was replaced by in-form Ollie Watkins, while Sancho replaced McGinn.

Palhinha won a corner and had half a chance after that was taken, but Villa cleared under pressure. At the other end, Pedro Porro cleared a Rogers shot off the line. For all Spurs' efforts, Villa were regaining their composure.

Dane Scarlett came on for Tel. Muani released Xavi, who hit the net, but had been offside. Solanke replaced Odobert and Djed Spence replaced Pedro Porro. Djed didn't have a great start, making two quick mistakes.

With tackles going in hard and yellow cards being shown by referee Craig Pawson, things were getting tetchy between the players. Villa managed the latter stages well. Watkins hit a shot straight at Vicario.

The final whistle was blown with Villa on the attack and there was a melee, as I think Spurs players took Umbridge at over-enthusiastic celebrations with the visiting fans before handshakes had been exchanged.

I consoled myself on my journey home with "When the year ends in one" by Ewan Flynn.

At half-time I had fears over how we would cope with West Ham next week and Burnley the week after. I feel more confident regarding Spurs' second half performance. After all, we did win that half!

Now to clear a few more potential fixture dates from my diary.

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