Aston Villa v Tottenham LIVE: Conor Gallagher strike sends Spurs into early lead in crunch Premier League clash

18 mins: Close!

Tottenham have almost doubled their lead. Again they’re afforded too much space just outside the penalty area and Joao Palhinha has possession.

He decides to take a shot and smokes another low effort at goal.

Emi Martinez leaps to the right and tips the ball onto the far post where it’s recovered by Richarlison who was offside.

Big save from Martinez!

15 mins: That was a beautiful taken goal from Gallagher and, as things stand, it sends Tottenham back out of the relegation zone.

There’s still a long way to go in this match but Unai Emery will be worried at how passive his team have been so far.

Huge moment!

And a fantastic strike from Conor Gallagher who nets his first ever goal for Spurs.

From a throw in the ball is headed out of the Villa box and Gallagher brings the ball down.

With his second touch he drills the ball along the floor and into the bottom left corner!

9 mins: Tottenham have had plenty of possession over the opening minutes of the game.

Unai Emery has set up with pretty much a second string XI and Villa are still finding their way into the game.

6 mins: Destiny Udogie goes on a nice underlapping run down the left for Spurs and flies past Jadon Sancho.

He looks to keep the ball in play at the byline before cutting back a pass only for the referee to determine that the ball rolled out of play.

3 mins: Joao Palhinha flicks the ball over to Pedro Porro who swings a curling forward pass up to Richarlison.

The Brazilian striker comes through the lines but can’t keep the ball in play.

From the resultant goal kick, Emi Martinez makes a slight error with a short pass and Richarlison is quickly on top of it and his shot gets deflected out for a corner.

Spurs get the match underway and send the ball back to the goalkeeper.

It’s booted long and won in the middle of the park by the visitors.

The players make their way out of the tunnel and onto the pitch at Villa Park.

Aston Villa are aiming to keep their grip on fifth place, and could possibly jump to fourth.

Tottenham, meanwhile, need to win to jump out of the relegation zone. This will be a huge match for both teams.

Let’s see how it plays out. Kick off is up next….

Spurs’ Richarlison is averaging 0.72 goal involvements per 90 this season (9 goals, 4 assists in 1,615 minutes), his third-best rate in a Premier League campaign behind 2023-24 and 2024-25 (both 0.9 per 90).

10 of Ollie Watkins’ 11 Premier League goals this season have come since the start of December, no player has more in that time.

Indeed, he’s scored goals in three previous Premier League games against sides managed by Roberto De Zerbi, including a hat-trick in September 2023.