Aston Villa 2-0 Tottenham Hotspur

Aston Villa triumphed 2-0 over Tottenham Hotspur to set a club-record sequence of 18 Premier League matches unbeaten at Villa Park and take the club’s battle for a top-five finish to the final day of the season.

Ezri Konsa broke the deadlock in the 59^th minute, turning and firing home amid a crowded penalty area from Ollie Watkins’ header – with his assist meaning the striker now boasts more Premier League goal involvements than any other Villa player in history.

Boubacar Kamara then picked the perfect moment to fire home his first goal of the season from the edge of the penalty area in the 73^rd minute, sealing a third successive victory and clean sheet as well as an eighth win in nine league matches.

Unai Emery, taking charge of his 100th league fixture at the helm, was left celebrating a crucial triumph as his in-form Villa side moved on to 66 points in their bid to secure UEFA Champions League football next term.

The Spaniard, his staff and players enjoyed a lap of appreciation following the club’s final home match of the season, with a trip to Manchester United next weekend set to conclude the campaign.

John McGinn, Pau Torres and Ian Maatsen returned to Villa’s starting line-up as manager Emery made three changes from last weekend’s 1-0 win at AFC Bournemouth.

Victory at Vitality Stadium ensured Emery’s side would compete in European competition for a third successive season, with fans inside Villa Park unveiling a banner in recognition of Watkins becoming the club’s all-time Premier League leading goalscorer.

Supporters also paid tribute to 1957 FA Cup final matchwinner Peter McParland following his passing earlier this month, with a giant flag raised in the North Stand and a moment of applause ahead of kick-off.

Watkins tested Spurs stopper Antonin Kinsky inside the opening six minutes before McGinn fired over the crossbar when well placed.

Heung-Min Son cut inside and whistled a fierce strike narrowly off target at the other end, before Emi Martínez made a stunning stop with his feet to keep out Wilson Odobert’s audacious flick.

Opposite number Kinsky produced an impressive save of his own to tip Amadou Onana’s inswinging cross around a post, while Marco Asensio fizzed just wide in the 36^th minute.

Yet Villa, despite enjoying 72 per cent possession in the first half, were frustrated by the visitors as it remained goalless at the break.

The Villans, roared on by the home faithful, continued to push at the start of the second half as they searched for that piece of magic needed to unlock the encounter.

And they got it in the 59^th minute.

McGinn’s corner was nodded into a dangerous area by Watkins and Konsa was on hand to turn and fire beyond Kinsky, sending Villa Park wild.

The visitors had Kinsky to thank for denying Watkins shortly afterwards as the Spurs ‘keeper got down quickly to produce an impressive one-handed save.

McGinn then lashed into the side-netting in the 69^th minute but Villa soon doubled their advantage.

Morgan Rogers, this week nominated for the Premier League Young Player of the Season award, laid the ball off for Kamara and he rifled low beyond Kinsky.

McGinn fired just wide following a short corner while Rogers saw his strike deflected off target in injury time.

Nevertheless, it was Villa, having tasted defeat to Spurs in eight of their previous nine league meetings in B6, who celebrated a big three points at the full-time whistle.