Aston Villa overturned an early deficit to beat Tottenham 2-1, Morgan Rogers levelling with a sumptuous first-half strike before substitute Emiliano Buendia sealed the comeback in the 77th minute. In heavy rain, Spurs’ vibrant start brought Rodrigo Bentancur’s fifth-minute opener and a disallowed finish for Mohammed Kudus moments later, but the game swung on Villa’s moments of quality and Tottenham’s missed chances.
Villa, who had failed to win any of their opening five league matches, made it five victories on the spin in all competitions and their first away league win of the season. Tottenham, who would have gone second with a win, were left to rue fine margins, a pair of waved-away penalty appeals at either end, and a familiar home pattern that drew boos at full-time as they slipped to sixth.
A start that promised a statement for Spurs.
Tottenham burst from the blocks. In the fifth minute, Kudus drifted deep on the left and arced a cross to the back post where João Palhinha rose to head back into traffic. Bentancur pounced and lashed a well-controlled half-volley in from close range to give the hosts the perfect platform.