One of the standout ties of the third round of the FA Cup delivered a damaging home defeat for Tottenham, who were beaten 2–1 by Aston Villa in north London.

The visitors from Birmingham controlled large spells of the contest, turning their dominance into first-half goals from Emiliano Buendía and Morgan Rogers, leaving Spurs chasing the game before the interval.

Wilson Odobert pulled one back to offer the hosts a lifeline, but any hopes of a comeback faded as Villa continued to look far more likely to add a third than Tottenham were to find an equaliser.

The defeat deepens the sense of crisis for the home side. With just two wins in their last 13 matches in all competitions, the pressure is mounting on head coach Thomas Frank, who now appears increasingly close to the brink.

2025-26, England - FA Cup

Tottenham - Aston Villa 1:2 (0:2)
Goals: Buendia, 22 (0:1); Rogers M., 45 (0:2); Odobert, 54 (1:2)

Tottenham: Vicario G.; Porro (Spence D., 83); Davies; van de Ven; Palhinha; Danso; Simons Xavi; Gray; Richarlison (Kolo Muani, 31); Tel M. (Scarlett, 78); Odobert (Solanke, 83)
Substitution: Kolo Muani (from 31); Scarlett (from 78); Spence D. (from 83); Solanke (from 83)
Bench: Kinský; Dragusin; Udogie; Williams-Barnett
Yellow Cards: Gray 57; Porro 79; Palhinha 85

Aston Villa: Bizot; Konsa; Torres Pau; Maatsen I. (Digne, 78); Kamara B. (Tielemans, 9); Cash (Andrés García, 79); McGinn J. (Sancho, 65); Bogarde L.; Buendia; Malen (Watkins, 65); Rogers M.
Substitution: Tielemans (from 9); Watkins (from 65); Sancho (from 65); Digne (from 78); Andrés García (from 79)
Bench: Wright J.; Lindelöf; Mings; Hemmings
Yellow Cards: Buendia 67; Andrés García 81