Aston Villa v Tottenham LIVE: Spurs secure crucial win to move out of Premier League relegation zone

Tottenham Hotspur

Position: 17th | Played: 35 | Points: 37 | GD: -9

Remaining fixtures:

• 9 May – Leeds (H)
• 17 May – Chelsea (A)
• 24 May – Everton (H)

Where to pick up points? A potentially pivotal clash with Leeds at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium three matches from the end of the campaign will be a golden opportunity for Tottenham after escaping the bottom three.

Tricky contests? Sidestepping the obvious quip of ‘every single one’, given their form this season, an away games at Champions League-chasing Chelsea doesn’t look likely to prove fruitful.

Final straight? Leeds at home as the third-last game is absolutely huge. Should that game go awry and Spurs head into the final two matches in the relegation zone, then a trip to Stamford Bridge and clash with Everton to finish up appear unlikely to provide succour.

Nottingham Forest

Position: 16th | Played: 34 | Points: 39 | GD: -4

Remaining fixtures:

• 4 May – Chelsea (A)
• 9 May – Newcastle (H)
• 17 May – Manchester United (A)
• 24 May – Bournemouth (H)

Where to pick up points? Forest had to make the most of a home fixture against doomed Burnley and, inspired by a 15-minute Morgan Gibbs-White hat-trick, they seized that golden opportunity. They then followed that up with a statement 5-0 thrashing of a Sunderland side who are largely on the beach. That could be enough to get over the line. If not, a home game against a struggling Newcastle side who may have nothing to play for could be their best chance.

Tricky contests? Games against three sides chasing European places still await Forest with trips to Manchester United and Chelsea on the docket, plus a home finale against Bournemouth. Forest also have to negotiate the second leg of their Europa League semi-final with Aston Villa, which may prove a distraction.

Final straight? It’s not the best with a journey to Old Trafford on the penultimate day of the season far from ideal and then hosting Bournemouth on the final day also a tricky finish. A home match against a floundering Newcastle as their antepenultimate fixture could be worse though. Things could be complicated by their Europa League distraction, however.

Leeds United

Position: 15th | Played: 35 | Points: 43 | GD: -5

Remaining fixtures:

• 9 May – Tottenham (A)
• 17 May – Brighton (H)
• 24 May – West Ham (A)

Tricky contests? Hosting European football-chasing Brighton in their penultimate fixture won’t be easy, particularly with trips to their relegation rivals either side of that game.

Final straight? Leeds look safe, but they will be desperate to have that secured by the time they travel to West Ham on the final day. If not, that could be a high-octane shootout for survival.

Tottenham have given their survival chances a huge boost with a 2-1 win over Aston Villa as they bid to avoid the unthinkable: relegation from the Premier League.

Demotion to the second tier for a Spurs side that won the Europa League last season, reached the Champions League knockout stage this term and has spent just one season outside the top flight since 1950 would go down as one of the biggest shocks in Premier League history.

The Hammers, who could have moved five points clear of trouble with a victory, will now find themselves back in the bottom three if Tottenham beat Aston Villa on Sunday.

Tottenham looked like a team destined to secure Premier League survival after they beat a dire Aston Villa 2-1 to move out of the bottom three.

Spurs put in their best performance of the season to claim three crucial points at Villa Park, thanks to first-half goals from Conor Gallagher and Richarlison.

A final word from De Zerbi who said: “Just one time we have played at home and the atmosphere was amazing in the stadium.

“I think it was a mental problem and these two wins, I hope we can play with more confidence and better mentality.”

“Nothing because the season is not finished yet,” said De Zerbi.

“We have to play another three games starting on Monday night with Leeds, they are playing very well.

“We can’t forget what the situation was before Wolves. It was a very sad situation and these memories have to stay in our heads.”

The Spurs boss added: “Gallagher, when he plays well, we play with 12 players. He is an amazing player.

“Kolo Muani and Mathys Tel played an amazing game. The two centre-backs with and without the ball, I am really pleased.”

Roberto de Zerbi said: “The high pressure is mentality and then in possession.

“We played very well when we had to attack the space or to shoot. I love playing football. My job is to help them and show what they are capable of.”