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Aston Villa Eliminate Tottenham 2-1 in FA Cup as Tempers Flare After Final Whistle

The defeat heightens scrutiny on Thomas Frank following a chaotic post‑match melee.

Soccer Football - FA Cup - Third Round - Tottenham Hotspur v Aston Villa - Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, Britain - January 10, 2026 Tottenham Hotspur manager Thomas Frank looks dejected after the match REUTERS/Dylan Martinez
Soccer Football - FA Cup - Third Round - Tottenham Hotspur v Aston Villa - Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, Britain - January 10, 2026 Tottenham Hotspur's Micky van de Ven remonstrates with Aston Villa's Morgan Rogers, Lamare Bogarde and Ollie Watkins after the match Action Images via Reuters/John Sibley
Soccer Football - FA Cup - Third Round - Tottenham Hotspur v Aston Villa - Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, Britain - January 10, 2026 Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins celebrates after the match as Tottenham Hotspur's Joao Palhinha looks on Action Images via Reuters/John Sibley
Soccer Football - FA Cup - Third Round - Tottenham Hotspur v Aston Villa - Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, Britain - January 10, 2026 Tottenham Hotspur's Joao Palhinha remonstrates with Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins after the match Action Images via Reuters/John Sibley

Overview

  • Emiliano Buendía and Morgan Rogers put Villa 2-0 up before halftime, and Wilson Odobert’s strike gave Spurs late hope in a third‑round tie without replays.
  • Players and staff from both teams clashed after full time when Ollie Watkins celebrated near Spurs, with João Palhinha confronting him as stewards intervened.
  • Thomas Frank accused Watkins of provoking Palhinha, saying the striker could have avoided contact as Villa celebrated in front of their travelling fans.
  • Referee Craig Pawson faced criticism over several decisions, and former PGMOL chief Keith Hackett said Xavi Simons should have been cautioned early on.
  • Richarlison left with a hamstring injury and Villa’s Boubacar Kamara went off early after a Palhinha challenge, as Villa advanced to the fourth round and pressure on Frank intensified.