At a glance

  • Tottenham take early lead through Rodrigo Bentancur

  • Morgan Rogers scores fine Villa equaliser

  • Substitute Emiliano Buendia fires late winner

  • Spurs miss chance to go second

  • PLAYER RATINGS

Michael Emons
BBC Sport journalist

A superb individual goal from Morgan Rogers and Emiliano Buendia's late winner helped Aston Villa to a comeback win over Tottenham, who missed the chance to go second in the Premier League.

Substitute Buendia proved to be the match-winner when he cut inside to shoot into the bottom corner in the 77th minute with boss Unai Emery bouncing in celebration on the touchline.

Villa's win, only their third in the league this season but fifth on the trot in all competitions, looked a long way off when the hosts took a fifth-minute lead thanks to Rodrigo Bentancur's first club goal in 2025.

It came from Mohammed Kudus' cross from deep on the left as Joao Palhinha headed the ball back into the danger zone and Bentancur was able to blast home the loose ball on the half volley from eight yards out.

But in an entertaining clash played in heavy rain, Rogers also got his first club goal of the season - and first since April - in some style.

The England midfielder found the space, despite four home players being in close attendance, to fire a sublime looping 20-yard strike which went over home goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario and dipped under the crossbar.

Both sides thought they should have had a penalty in the second half.

Tottenham defender Kevin Danso - a late replacement for Cristian Romero after the Spurs captain was injured in the warm-up - slid in and caught Lucas Digne on the ankle with his follow-through, but was not penalised.

The hosts also appealed after the ball hit Villa defender Ezri Konsa's arms, which were raised over his chest, but on both occasions the referee was not interested.

But, just when the game appeared to be heading towards a tame finale, Matty Cash played a superb cross-field ball from defence to find Digne and he set up Buendia to fire home his third goal in four games.

Aston Villa analysis: Confident, in-form Rogers provides spark

Morgan RogersGetty Images

Morgan Rogers' first club goal of the season came after he had scored his first goal for England on 9 October

Rogers, who can perform in a variety of attacking positions, has established himself as a vital part of the England team and featured in all eight of the Three Lions matches since Thomas Tuchel took over.

His first international goal came in the 3-0 friendly win over Wales on 9 October and Villa are now reaping the rewards of a player clearly full of confidence.

Rogers failed to score or register an assist in each of his side's opening five Premier League matches of the season, despite playing almost every minute of them, with Emery's struggling team only picking up two points in that run.

But he has now recorded a spectacular goal and two assists in his past three league matches as Villa revive their fortunes after a miserable start that saw them fail to win any of their opening five league games - failing to score in four as well - and exit the Carabao Cup at the hands of Brentford.

They have now won five in a row with this victory taking them 10th and into the top half of the table for the first time this term.

Before Sunday's match, Emery admitted Rogers had not been "performing very well, not confident" at the start of the campaign, but said he was "getting better and feeling confident".

The Spaniard will be delighted with the 23-year-old's stunning opener in north London though and hope his form can continue.

Rogers faces plenty of competition for an England attacking midfield role - and a place in next summer's World Cup squad - and his recent resurgence will also have pleased Tuchel.

Aston Villa comeback down to their 'positive energy' - Emery

Tottenham analysis: Spurs punished as poor home run continues

Spurs would have gone second with a win and third with a draw, but instead are now sixth. They suffered only their second league defeat since Thomas Frank replaced Ange Postecoglou, whose Europa League triumph was not enough to keep him in a job.

But what should also concern the Dane is a tally of just three wins in 18 Premier League matches at home.

In some regards, the poor result after a good performance on Sunday, was similar to those league matches last season under Postecoglou, who was sacked by Nottingham Forest yesterday after only 39 days in charge of them.

Frank received a setback just before the match as club skipper Romero suffered an injury in the warm-up, with Austria international Danso drafted in for his first league start of the season, while Micky van de Ven was handed the armband.

However, they still managed to take an early lead and thought they had gone 2-0 ahead in the sixth minute only for Kudus to be judged offside as he had started his run too early before arrowing a low strike into the bottom corner.

After Rogers' equaliser, Tottenham arguably had the better chances. Mathys Tel failed to connect with a close-range volley after referee Simon Hooper allowed play to continue, despite the ball earlier hitting him and Van de Ven wasted another opportunity by heading over.

Villa's winner - only their second shot on target - came against the run of play and Tottenham could still have levelled.

Striker Randal Kolo Muani - on his first Premier League appearance since his season-long loan from Paris St-Germain - and Brennan Johnson failed to convert chances as Emery's men hung on to sit just two points behind Spurs in the table.

Tottenham aggression and intensity was not enough against Villa - Frank

Player of the match

M. Rogers
7.71
6 João Palhinha
5.48
30 R. Bentancur
5.30
37 M. van de Ven
5.28
20 M. Kudus
5.25
24 D. Spence
5.22
23 Pedro Porro
5.02
1 G. Vicario
4.92
4 K. Danso
4.89
28 W. Odobert
4.79
7 X. Simons
4.46
11 M. Tel
4.15
15 L. Bergvall
4.03
29 P. Sarr
3.63
9 Richarlison
3.59
22 B. Johnson
3.55
39 R. Kolo Muani
3.49
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