Sometimes, football delivers a moment so beautiful that it silences even the loudest stadiums.
That was exactly what happened when Emi Buendia curled home a stunning winner for Aston Villa — a goal that could easily win any Premier League contest.
But the magic wasn’t just in the finish.
The move began with Matty Cash launching a precise diagonal pass to the opposite wing, where Lucas Digne — fresh from taking a corner — cushioned it effortlessly before sliding it into Buendia’s path.
The Argentine did the rest, bending his left-footed strike inside the post with exquisite precision.
The strike sealed Villa’s fifth straight win, lifting them comfortably into midtable and earning praise from manager Unai Emery.
Meanwhile, Tottenham were left frustrated, losing ground on Arsenal and enduring yet another miserable night at home.
Tottenham’s Home Troubles Continue
Tottenham’s stadium was once a fortress, but that reputation feels long gone.
Under Thomas Frank, Spurs have picked up only four points from their last four home Premier League games, extending a dismal 2025 run — just three home wins in 13 matches.
Those victories came against Burnley, Southampton, and Manchester United, but consistency remains a huge problem.
Before kickoff, Frank had urged supporters to bring the energy, but by the final whistle, the once-excited crowd had fallen silent.
Groans replaced cheers as another winnable game slipped away.
“It was okay, both ways,” Frank admitted afterward.
“The fans were good, they helped where they could, and we looked exciting in moments.
But there were also times we should’ve done better. I’d have loved a 3-0 win with the place rocking, but we lost to two quality moments.”
Early Hope Fades as Villa Strike Back
Tottenham actually started with energy and intent, getting the perfect start in the fifth minute.
Rodrigo Bentancur met Mohammed Kudus’ clever cross — flicked on by Joao Palhinha — with a crisp volley that sent fans roaring.
Bentancur, who had been left out of Uruguay’s international friendlies, looked fresh and composed.
However, Villa found their rhythm as the game wore on. Morgan Rogers, once on Tottenham’s radar, delivered the equaliser just before halftime.
After a lucky deflection, he smashed a dipping shot past Guglielmo Vicario — Villa’s first effort on target.
It was Rogers’ first goal of the season, his first since April, and a sign that he’s finally finding his groove again.
Romero’s Setback and Spurs’ Defensive Reshuffle
Tottenham’s troubles deepened even before kickoff.
Cristian Romero, flown back from international duty on a private jet shared with Villa keeper Emi Martinez, picked up a knock during warm-up and was ruled out.
Kevin Danso stepped in alongside Micky van de Ven, who captained the team.
Frank downplayed the concern, saying, “Minor issue, nothing big,” though he admitted Romero might not be ready for the midweek Champions League tie at Monaco.
Destiny Udogie was also missing due to a knee problem sustained with Italy, leaving Spurs with a patched-up defence.
Still, they held firm for most of the match — allowing just two shots on target.
Unfortunately for them, both found the net.
Player Ratings Snapshot
Tottenham (4-2-3-1): Vicario (6); Porro (6), Danso (6), Van de Ven (6.5), Spence (6.5); Palhinha (7), Bentancur (7); Kudus (7.5), Simons (5), Odobert (6); Tel (5).
Goals: Bentancur (5’).
Manager: Thomas Frank (6).
Aston Villa (4-2-3-1): Martinez (6); Cash (6.5), Konsa (7), Torres (7), Digne (7); Kamara (8), Onana (6.5); Guessand (6), Rogers (8.5), McGinn (7.5); Malen (6.5).
Goals: Rogers (37’), Buendia (77’).
Manager: Unai Emery (7).
Attendance: 61,291.
Buendia’s Redemption Story
For Buendia, the goal was more than just a match-winner — it was a personal triumph.
When Aston Villa spent £33 million of their Jack Grealish windfall on him, they hoped he’d fill the creative void left behind. But injuries and inconsistency derailed his progress.
After a forgettable loan spell at Bayer Leverkusen, he was almost sold in the summer.
Leeds and Stuttgart came knocking, but only with loan offers, which Villa rejected.
Emery eventually chose to keep him — a decision now paying off handsomely.
Buendia has scored three goals in his last four appearances and looks reborn under Emery’s guidance.
“It feels amazing,” the 28-year-old said after the match, his confidence finally returning.
Tottenham’s Creative Drought
While Villa celebrated, Spurs were left pondering their lack of creativity.
Frank praised his team’s effort but admitted they need more spark in attack.
Xavi Simons struggled to influence the game in his preferred No.10 role, constantly shadowed by Villa’s tireless midfielder Boubacar Kamara.
Mathys Tel worked hard but failed to threaten up front, while Kudus impressed again on the right — though even his drive couldn’t mask the gaps in Spurs’ attack.
Brennan Johnson, despite his 18 goals last season, seems out of favour, and with key men like James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski, and Dominic Solanke injured — and Heung-min Son long gone — goals are hard to come by.
Johnson had the last chance of the match but fired over, summing up Tottenham’s frustrations.
What’s Next for Both Sides
For Aston Villa, momentum is back.
Five wins in a row have revived their confidence, and Buendia’s resurgence could be the spark that takes them even higher.
Tottenham, on the other hand, face tough questions ahead of their Champions League trip to Monaco.
Frank’s team is still showing glimpses of potential, but until they rediscover their creative flow and home dominance, the groans at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium are likely to continue.