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Tottenham Hotspur moved out of the Premier League relegation zone on Sunday with a 2-1 win at Aston Villa, as new head coach Roberto de Zerbi’s survival push gathered pace.
West Ham United’s defeat at Brentford on Saturday had opened the door for Spurs to leapfrog their rivals, and they did so with one of their most assured performances of the season despite missing injured forwards Xavi Simons and Dominic Solanke.
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BBC Sports reported that Conor Gallagher put Spurs ahead after 12 minutes, drilling a low shot from 20 yards for his first goal since joining from Atletico Madrid in January. Joao Palhinha struck the post soon after before Richarlison doubled the lead with a powerful header from Mathys Tel’s cross in the 25th minute.
Read more: Villa drop points after Rayan’s dazzling equaliser in 1-1 draw against Bournemouth
Villa manager Unai Emery, with Thursday’s Europa League semi-final second leg in mind, made seven changes from the side beaten by Nottingham Forest in midweek. The reshuffle showed, as the hosts struggled for rhythm and rarely threatened.
Substitute Emi Buendia headed in Matty Cash’s cross in stoppage time, but Villa’s late response came too late to change the outcome.
The result lifts Spurs a point above West Ham with three league games remaining, strengthening their chances of avoiding relegation in de Zerbi’s first season in charge.
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