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Aston Villa Knock Out Spurs 2-1 as Frank Blames Watkins for Post‑Match Melee

Frank faces sharper scrutiny after a cup exit capped by a 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 Buendia and Morgan Rogers put Villa two up before halftime, with Wilson Odobert pulling one back for Tottenham early in the second half.
  • Tempers flared after the final whistle when Ollie Watkins celebrated near the away end, prompting a shove from Joao Palhinha and a mass confrontation involving players, staff and stewards.
  • Frank said Watkins was "very provoking" and urged his players to keep cool heads, rejecting the notion of a wider discipline problem even as tensions spilled over.
  • Tottenham were booed off at halftime and their FA Cup exit extends a poor home run that has heightened pressure on the head coach.
  • Richarlison suffered a hamstring injury during the match, adding to recent muscle problems for Mohammed Kudus, Lucas Bergvall and Rodrigo Bentancur reported this week.