Tottenham Hotspur’s turbulent season worsened with a 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa in the FA Cup fourth round.
This latest setback marked Spurs’ second cup elimination within a week, following their heavy Carabao Cup semi-final loss to Liverpool. The disappointing exit has intensified concerns over the club’s faltering campaign.
Club correspondent Jamie O’Hara didn’t shy away from criticism on X, highlighting the team’s poor display. He pointed out that despite goalkeeper Antonín Kinský’s costly early mistake, the young shot-stopper still emerged as Tottenham’s best player on the night, which speaks volumes about the team’s lacklustre overall performance.
“Kinsky has thrown one in the net and is still our best player, that’s how bad we are it’s got beyond embarrassing now.”
Kinsky has thrown one in the net and is still our best player, that’s how bad we are it’s got beyond embarrassing now. #Spurs
— Jamie Ohara (@Mrjamieohara1) February 9, 2025
Spurs got off to the worst possible start, conceding within the first minute. Rogers carved through Tottenham’s midfield and found Ramsey in space down the left.
Although his shot was straight at Kinský, the goalkeeper’s mishandled attempt at a parry allowed the ball to trickle into the net, gifting Villa an early lead.
To his credit, Kinský quickly regained his composure and played a crucial role in keeping Spurs in the game. He made five key saves, including four from inside the box, as Villa continued to press with relentless attacking intent, reflected by their 2.06 expected goals (xG).
Despite the early setback, Tottenham showed moments of promise in the second half. Son Heung-min, Dejan Kulusevski, and Kevin Danso came close, but their efforts lacked the precision needed to turn the game around. Mathys Tel managed a late consolation goal, but it wasn’t enough to avoid a disappointing exit.
As the season hangs in the balance, manager Ange Postecoglou faces mounting pressure to rejuvenate his squad. With domestic silverware hopes dashed, Spurs must now focus on climbing the Premier League table and making a strong push in the Europa League. Supporters will be looking for a determined response in the coming fixtures.
