Aston Villa 3-7 Tottenham Hotspur
by Hope Robinson (15/2/26)
Above: Tottenham Hotspur players celebrating their fifth goal of the game Photo: bbc.co.uk
A ten-goal thriller at Villa Park saw Tottenham Hotspur storm to a 7-3 victory over Aston Villa on 15 February, as strikes from Signe Gaupset, Olivia Holdt and a clinical brace from Cathinka Tandberg proved decisive despite a spirited Villa fightback led by Kirsty Hanson and Oriana Jean-François.
Context and Stakes
Aston Villa hosted Tottenham Hotspur at Villa Park in a fixture that carried importance for both sides’ momentum and league ambitions. Prior to kick-off, Villa sat eighth in the table on 16 points, while Spurs were fifth on 26 points, underlining the opportunity for both to strengthen their positions.
Neither side arrived in dominant form. Villa had won one of their last five league matches, while Spurs had taken two victories from their previous five outings. Recent results suggested little separated the teams despite the gap in league position.
History reinforced that closeness. The Villains and the Lilywhites had each recorded five wins in this fixture, alongside three draws. The reverse meeting earlier this season ended in a dramatic 2-1 victory for Spurs, with all three goals arriving late. Villa led in the 84th minute before conceding twice, including once just a minute later and again in added time, and also saw a player dismissed for a second yellow card.
Aston Villa manager Natalia Arroyo acknowledged the challenge beforehand, stating that they “come into this game after a difficult run of results” and recognising that Spurs “have been the revelation of the season”.
Team News and Shape
Villa remained without long-term absentees Rachael Daly and Gabi Nunes. Ellie Roebuck returned to the starting eleven after a spell out, while Netherlands international Chastity Grant also featured.
Lucia Kendall was named in the squad for the first time since January following a quad injury, providing a welcome midfield boost. January signing Oriana Jean-François made her first start for Villa.
For Spurs, Maika Hamano entered the starting line-up for the first time since joining on loan from Chelsea in January. Her versatility across the forward line and midfield added technical quality and composure in possession.
First Half Overview
Th opening five minutes saw Tottenham dominate possession, building primarily through the flanks with wide players making runs to receive long balls. Both sides had space to operate, but Villa struggled to keep hold of the ball and were slow to clear their lines. In 4’, Villa lost possession just outside their box, allowing Beth England to get a shot away that was saved by Ellie Roebuck. Villa countered immediately, Kirsty Hanson using her pace to beat her defender and get a shot off, which went wide.
Between 5’ and 15’, Spurs continued to play direct balls over the top and out wide to Julie Blakstad. In 7’, a foul on Lynn Wilms resulted in a free kick that was eventually cleared out of play. Spurs pressed tightly when Villa were in possession, forcing defenders into rushed passes. A strong sliding tackle from Miri Taylor in 9’ halted a promising Spurs attack. However, in 10’, Spurs took the lead through Signe Gaupset, who struck from distance after a direct and quick transition forward that Villa struggled to deal with.
Villa’s issues playing out from the back continued. In 12’, a poor pass fell straight to a Tottenham player, leading to a header from England that Roebuck caught but spilled, though Gaupset could not find space for a follow-up shot. In 14’, another Roebuck pass found a Spurs player, but Villa recovered and broke through Chastity Grant, who was forced to lift the ball under pressure from Gaupset, failing to find Hanson.
Villa responded in 16’ when Hanson made an excellent run in behind and fired a powerful shot from a wide angle to equalise. Spurs remained committed to switching play quickly, often looking to bypass midfield and find Blakstad. In 17’, a dangerous cross from the right nearly found England before Roebuck intervened.
In 20’, Spurs regained the lead. Olivia Holdt made a strong run before slipping the ball wide to England, who curled an unstoppable effort just under the crossbar. Holdt threatened again shortly after, running in behind Anna Patten but shooting over. Villa created chances of their own, with Jean-François driving forward in 23’ and Lucy Parker shooting from distance, though her effort went over.
In 24’, Grant delivered a low, driven cross to the near post that Taylor met, but it was saved. Spurs’ pressure paid off again in 26’ when Holdt found the net following a cross after sustained attacking play. Villa were allowing too much space for shots around the edge of the box and Spurs were running in behind with ease.
In 28’, Roebuck hesitated under pressure from Holdt, nearly allowing the forward to force the ball over the line. Hanson nearly struck again in 30’, breaking forward in similar fashion to her earlier goal, but her shot drifted just wide, once more lacking support in the box.
From 30’ to 45’, the tempo remained high. In 35’, a well-timed ball over the top released Hanson, but Rebecca Spencer came off her line to claim. A failed Lucy Staniforth slide tackle opened space for Spurs, leading to a sequence of shots from Amanda Nildén and England, one effort striking the post before going out for a corner. Tottenham’s overlapping runs continued to stretch Villa’s defensive shape.
Parker produced an important block to deny Holdt, who had earlier used her strength to shrug off Patten. Six minutes were added at the end of the half. In 47’, Hamano fired over the bar after a flowing Spurs move. In 49’, she struck again from a similar position, this time forcing a save from Roebuck. Wilms and Staniforth threw themselves into blocks as Spurs pushed for further advantage. Nildén was shown a yellow card in 49’ as the half concluded.
Second Half Overview
Villa introduced Rachael Maltby at half time, likely as a precaution regarding Staniforth. The change brought more energy and physicality.
Early in the second half, Grant drove forward and delivered a cross that Maltby narrowly failed to connect with. The midfield battle became more competitive, with Villa stronger in duels. In 49’, Holdt struck from distance, but her effort lacked power and was comfortably gathered by Roebuck.
In 50’, a heavy touch from Maya Hijikata allowed Spurs to break, though they lacked the same cutting edge seen in the first half. Villa were noticeably more physical, with Parker shielding England effectively and Taylor meeting Gaupset more assertively in challenges.
In 55’, Hanson slipped a well-weighted pass through to Hijikata, though it ran slightly heavy and out for a goal kick. A loose pass from Evelina Summanen soon fell to Grant, who drove forward but shot wide, earning a corner taken by Wilms that was eventually cleared.
Between 60’ and 75’, the game swung dramatically. In 60’, Gaupset spotted Roebuck off her line and attempted an ambitious effort from near the halfway line, which drifted wide. Hanson tested Lize Kop again in 66’ with a powerful low drive that went just wide.
Villa found an equaliser in 68’. Kop played a poor pass out from the back and Jean-François intercepted, holding off her opponent before chipping the ball over the goalkeeper for her first goal for the club.
The response was immediate. In 69’, Cathinka Tandberg struck from the edge of the box to restore Tottenham’s lead, exposing Villa’s defensive fragility. In 72’, Hamano added another, finishing calmly when one on one with Roebuck.
Lucia Kendall made her return from injury during this period. However, Villa again struggled to maintain consistency, conceding twice within four minutes around the 70’ mark.
From 75’ to 90’, Villa pushed forward but appeared fatigued. In 79’, Wilms made an excellent driving run into the box and found Ebony Salmon, whose powerful shot was parried by Kop.
In 80’, Hanson scored her second of the match, reacting quickest inside the box after a scrappy sequence to fire home. In 81’, Salmon battled well with Clare Hunt but was unable to get clear enough to shoot decisively.
Tottenham extended their lead again in 82’. After building down the wing and through Hamano in midfield, a precise ball across goal found Tandberg, who finished confidently for her second. In 85’, Blakstad added another with a strong header from a corner.
Five minutes were added at the end of the match. Added time saw possession change hands frequently, with both sides slightly more cautious. In 94’, Gunning-Williams fired inches wide as the match came to a close.
Key Player Analysis: Lynn Wilms
Lynn Wilms was one of Villa’s most consistent performers, operating predominantly down the right flank and influencing both defensive and attacking phases. Her influence zones stretched from deep defensive areas into advanced wide positions, particularly in the second half when she was utilised more aggressively as a wing-back.
Defensively, Wilms applied constant pressure to Spurs’ wide players, matching their physicality and rarely allowing them to turn comfortably. Her positioning was disciplined and intelligent, maintaining the defensive line while also stepping out at the right moments to engage. She read transitions well and frequently recovered into shape quickly after Villa lost possession.
On the ball, her decision-making stood out. Wilms demonstrated composure under pressure, using her technical security to shield possession when surrounded. She recognised when to recycle play and calm the tempo, and when to pass forward to accelerate attacks. Her distribution was varied, passing inside to midfield, down the line into space, or switching direction to reset phases.
In the second half, her forward carries became more prominent. She made several progressive runs up the pitch, combining strong dribbling with physical strength to move Villa into advanced areas. Her match-defining qualities were her defensive discipline, positional awareness and physical robustness, all of which helped stabilise Villa during difficult spells. As a Netherlands international signed from Wolfsburg in the summer, she has brought experience, composure and structure to the side.
Standout Performances
Kirsty Hanson provided Villa’s primary attacking threat. Her pace in behind repeatedly exposed Tottenham’s defensive line, and she was direct in her approach, shooting with confidence. Her equaliser came from intelligent movement and sharp execution, and she remained dangerous throughout with relentless work rate both on and off the ball.
Miri Taylor contributed significant defensive solidity in midfield. Her tackling, including key sliding interventions in the first half, disrupted Spurs’ transitions. She competed strongly in duels and offered balance when Villa were under sustained pressure.
For Tottenham, Olivia Holdt was central to their attacking rhythm. Her strength on the ball allowed her to drive past defenders, and she combined creativity with goal threat. She assisted and scored, and frequently found space between Villa’s lines.
Signe Gaupset’s movement and willingness to shoot from distance added unpredictability. Her early goal set the tone, and she consistently looked to exploit moments when Villa’s defensive shape was unsettled. Both players demonstrated high work rate and attacking intelligence.
In Game Management
Villa’s second-half adjustment to use Wilms and Maltby as wing-backs proved tactically effective. The wider structure stretched Spurs and created more direct channels forward. Maltby made well-timed runs into the box from deeper positions, arriving in areas defenders did not track effectively. Wilms’ quality on the ball allowed Villa to progress higher up the pitch, which in turn granted Grant more attacking freedom.
However, game management proved costly. Following Villa’s double substitution, the team conceded twice in quick succession, suggesting a temporary loss of defensive organisation. In contrast, Tottenham’s bench had immediate impact. Cathinka Tandberg scored within minutes of entering the pitch, highlighting Spurs’ ability to maintain intensity and sharpness through substitutions.
Why Tottenham Hotspur Took the Points
Tottenham were more clinical in key moments. While both sides created chances, Spurs converted with greater efficiency, particularly through quick transitions and shots from the edge of the box.
Their attacking movement was sharper, especially in the channels and half-spaces, and they capitalised on Villa’s lapses when playing out from the back. Midfield dominance during phases of the first half allowed them to sustain pressure, and their defensive discipline in critical moments prevented Villa from fully shifting momentum despite spells of pressure.
Outcome, Decisive Moments, and Implications
In terms of implications, Tottenham’s victory strengthens their league position and reinforces confidence in their attacking depth. For Villa, the match underlined progress in attacking intent but also exposed structural vulnerabilities, particularly in transitional defence and concentration following tactical adjustments, and the psychological impact will centre on addressing those brief but costly lapses that ultimately defined the result.
Teams: ASTON VILLA (3-4-1-2): Roebuck, Patten (c), Jean-François, Staniforth, Hijikata, Wilms, Parker, Maritz, Hanson, Grant, Taylor. Substitutes: Maltby 45’ (for Staniforth), Salmon 71’ (for Grant), Kendall 71’ (for Taylor)
Scorer: Hanson 16’ 80’, Jean-François 68’
Tottenham Hotspur (4-4-2): Kop, A.Nildén, Gaupset, England (c), Holdt, Hunt, Wijk, Hamano, Summanen, Koga, Blakstad. Substitutes: Tandberg 67’ (for Holdt), Vinberg 67’ (for A.Nildén), Ahitnen 85’ (for England), Bartrip 86’ (for Koga), Gunning-Williams 86’ (for Hamano)
Scorer: Gaupset 10’, England 20’, Holdt 26’, Tandberg 69’ 82’, Hamano 72’, Blakstad 85’
Referee: Stacey Pearson
Assistant Referee: Leoni Harland, Dan Sykes
Fourth Official: Phoebe Cross
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