The Holy Trinity: Aston Villa conclusions from FA Cup third round victory over Tottenham Hotspur

Villa won 2-1 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for the second time in 2025/26 to knock Spurs out in consecutive seasons

Aston Villa’s FA Cup third round win against Tottenham Hotspur was impressive and satisfying for long periods but also a touch frustrating.

Villa were tremendous in the first half in north London and were good value for their 2-0 lead at half time, but threatened to repeat the failing that cost them a couple of Premier League points at Crystal Palace a few days earlier.

Like Palace, Spurs were miles off the pace in the first half. Like Palace, Spurs came out more determined and more energetic after the break. And, just like against Palace, Villa didn’t immediately have the answer to that change in timbre.

This time, it allowed Spurs back into the game and they got a goal that made the evening a little squeakier than it should really have been.

But Villa also gradually dug out a reaction that they never found at Selhurst Park, regaining control in the last 20 minutes to make sure of the result and a place in the fourth round of the FA Cup.

Here’s your Holy Trinity of match conclusions: