Tottenham vs Aston Villa: Complete head-to-head record

Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa are two regulars in England’s top flight that both firmly subscribe to the idea that football did not begin in 1992.

Between them, Spurs and Villa can boast one major trophy in the 21st century. Yet, each have graced the apex of English football while also claiming European silverware at their respective peaks.

For two clubs with long memories, here’s a look at their head-to-head record over the years.

Memorable games

For just the second-ever meeting between Spurs and Villa, the capital club hadn’t even been accepted into the Football League yet, a competition first conceived by Villa board member William McGregor.

Plying their trade in a number of unassociated divisions, Spurs were drawn against Villa in the FA Cup for a second season on the spin. Tottenham fans invaded the pitch during the first leg at White Hart Lane while the visitors were 1-0 up. The FA fined Spurs and ordered a replay at Villa Park but reset the score to 0-0. On enemy turf, Tottenham prevailed by a single goal to knock their lofty foes out in the second round.

A quarter of an hour had not yet elapsed and Spurs already boasted a 3-0 lead over Villa. Tony Hateley pulled one back for the visitors but the second half was just five minutes old by the time Tottenham were sitting on a 5-1 advantage.

Yet, suddenly White Hart Lane developed a downward slant towards Pat Jennings’ goal. In the space of seven minutes, Alan Deakin reduced the deficit while Hateley completed his hat-trick. With 11 minutes left on the clock, Hateley nodded in his fourth and Villa’s fifth in a scarcely believable comeback.

But Villa’s Deakin would end the match tugging at his hair and beating the turf in frustration. Having rounded Jennings, Deakin’s limp side-footed shot was slow enough for Alan Mullery to race back and clear it off the line. “I couldn’t believe it,” he reflected post-game, “it was terrible.”

A parade of Tottenham icons took to the pitch pre-game to celebrate the club’s 125th anniversary. Younes Kaboul may not make the cut for the 150th birthday, but he helped forge some form of an argument with a 92nd-minute winner on the day.

Unfazed by Dimitar Berbatov’s opener, Villa raced into a 4-1 lead in north London inside an hour, prompting unfriendly taunts of “Happy birthday dear Tottenham” from the away support.

Second-half substitute Jermain Defoe was the catalyst for the turnaround even though he didn’t get on the scoresheet, playing a role in two of the goals that turned the jeers into cheers.

Nicklas Helenius’ Aston Villa career will forever be boiled down to one ill-fated dart behind Tottenham’s defence. As Helenius lined up a shot against the capital club in an EFL Cup tie, Jan Vertonghen came charging across, getting none of the ball but a handful of the striker’s shorts.

As his kit came down, Helenius’ shot soared over. Somehow, no penalty was given and Spurs eased to a 4-0 win after the interval. Villa boss Paul Lambert admitted: “I have certainly not seen anything like that before.”

A severe bacterial infection, rather than the pantsing, ultimately derailed the Dane’s unsuccessful time in England.

Tim Sherwood ended his term as Tottenham‘s interim boss – or “supply teacher” to use his own wording – with a 3-0 victory over Aston Villa at White Hart Lane. Yet, he didn’t know it at the time and was not especially pleased to find out two days later.

And so, when Sherwood’s Villa travelled to north London the following year, the returning coach couldn’t resist a dig at his former employer. “Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy made the decision [to sack me] based on what he thought was the right thing to do,” Sherwood smiled. “Without Spurs giving me the job last year, I wouldn’t have been here today to enjoy this win.”

Christian Benteke’s solitary goal was enough to earn what Sherwood selflessly described as “a fantastic result for me and Aston Villa”.

Tottenham vs Aston Villa – Complete H2H record

Tottenham vs Aston Villa – Premier League H2H record

Top scorers in Tottenham vs Aston Villa Premier League fixtures

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