Tottenham landed a flurry of devastating blows to floor their leading top four rival in the fight to to gain Champions League qualification with a convincing 4-0 demolition of Aston Villa on Monday.<\/p>\n
Ange Postecoglou\u2019s valiant side arrived at Villa Park cognisant of the fact that defeat to their fourth-placed rivals could have meant an end to their hopes of qualifying for next season\u2019s Champions League.<\/p>\n
Rising to the challenge and the occasion, the north Londoners rose to the challenge that saw a second half goal spree in the west midlands as the rains blitzed on.<\/p>\n
James Maddison slotted Tottenham ahead, with Brennan Johnson doubling their lead before Villa captain John McGinn was sent packing for bringing down Destiny Udogie.<\/p>\n
Tottenham captain Son Heung-min and Timo Werner then delivered a double blow in stoppage-time to leave fifth-placed Tottenham just two points behind Villa with a game in hand.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe made it tough for Villa. They worked hard just to contain us. We got our rewards in the second half,\u201d Postecoglou said.<\/p>\n
\u201cEveryone was billing this as a do-or-die for us. I assume we\u2019re not dead yet. It means we\u2019re one game closer, just 11 games to go.\u201d<\/p>\n
The defeat has left Villa reeling in the aftermath, no doubt shaken as they continue hoping to reach the Champions League for the first time since 1983, despite this major setback to their unexpected bid for a top four finish.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe weren\u2019t clinical because they were defending very well and we didn\u2019t control the game,\u201d sais Villa boss Unai Emery.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have to control our emotions. The first two goals were crazy. We have to move on.\u201d<\/p>\n
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