Aston Villa survived a dramatic late Tottenham fightback to secure their first Premier League victory of the season with a 3-2 win in north London.
Johan Manzambi marked his Premier League start with the opening goal before Nicolas Jackson doubled Villa’s advantage after the break.
Emiliano Buendía then made it 3-0 with a superb finish and appeared to have put the contest beyond Tottenham.
Spurs scored twice late on to set up a nervous finish, but Unai Emery’s side held firm to claim a huge three points.
Manzambi rewards Emery faith
Tottenham made the brighter start and forced Zion Suzuki into several important saves during the opening stages.
Villa initially struggled to establish sustained possession but gradually became more dangerous as the first half developed.
Manzambi provided the breakthrough deep into stoppage time.
The midfielder converted from close range to give Villa a precious lead and reward Emery’s decision to hand him a major opportunity from the start.
It was a defining moment in an impressive individual display.
Manzambi had already threatened Tottenham earlier in the half and continued to cause problems whenever Villa attacked quickly.
Our Aston Villa predicted XI against Tottenham highlighted the difficult attacking decisions facing Emery before the game.
The Villa boss ultimately trusted Manzambi, and the decision paid off.
Jackson and Buendía put Aston Villa in control
Villa became increasingly dangerous once Tottenham were forced to chase the game.
Jackson doubled the advantage in the 67th minute after combining brilliantly with Manzambi.
The Villa striker exchanged passes with his team-mate before beating his defender and firing beyond Antonín Kinský.
It was another significant moment for Jackson after Emery preferred him to Tammy Abraham from the start.
Manzambi’s assist completed an excellent afternoon before he was withdrawn soon afterwards.
Villa then appeared to put the game beyond doubt.
Buendía produced an outstanding finish to make it 3-0, giving the visitors a commanding advantage heading into the closing stages.
The manner of Villa’s attacking performance supported the opportunities we identified in our pre-match look at Tottenham’s pressing approach.
Emery’s side repeatedly punished the spaces left by the hosts once the game became stretched.
Aston Villa survive dramatic Tottenham comeback
The final minutes were far less comfortable.
Tottenham finally ended their Premier League scoring drought and then struck again to reduce Villa’s advantage to a single goal.
That transformed what had looked like a straightforward finish into a nervous closing spell.
Villa were forced deeper as Tottenham pushed for an unlikely equaliser.
Emery’s side nevertheless survived the late pressure and held on for a 3-2 victory.
The result gives Villa their first Premier League win of the season after taking only one point from their opening four matches.
More importantly, it provides a major response following the 2-1 defeat to Nottingham Forest.
Villa were clinical, dangerous in transition and far more decisive in the key moments.
The late collapse will frustrate Emery, but after such a difficult start to the campaign, the three points are what matter most.
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