Emiliano Buendia and Douglas Luiz got on the scoresheet as Aston Villa picked up a deserved victory over Tottenham Hotspur on New Year’s Day.
Hugo Lloris was at fault for Buendia’s opener for Aston Villa before Luiz netted their second to wrap up the points late on.
This result inflicts more misery on Antonio Conte’s side. They have conceded first in their last ten Premier League games and are now down in fifth.
Spurs struggled to create chances throughout and were booed off after a third home defeat from their last five games.
While Tottenham were boosted by the return of Romero and Lloris, Dejan Kulusevski became the latest player unavailable to Conte due to a minor muscle injury.
Romero’s compatriot Emiliano Martinez was also at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, but only named on the Villa bench a fortnight on from his heroics in Lusail.
Villa boss Emery had never previously lost to slow-starters Spurs and nearly watched Ollie Watkins fire the visitors ahead when he raced through down the left but he dragged his 14-yard shot wide.
It was not a sign of things to come with a lacklustre opening half occurring with as many yellow cards as shots.
Each of Tottenham three centre-backs received bookings from John Brooks in a rash nine-minute period with Ben Davies a touch fortunate after lunging into a tackle with Ashley Young.
Chances had been few and far between before Young was well placed to clear Harry Kane’s header off the line in the 40th minute after Ivan Perisic had rounded Robin Olsen in the Villa goal.
It woke up Conte’s side with Son Heung-min, who chucked away his protective mark midway through the half, curling a free-kick into the arms of the Swedish goalkeeper soon after.
Despite making it to the break without conceding, Tottenham’s habit of falling behind continued five minutes into the second period.
Lloris was at fault in his first appearance since the World Cup final and Buendia profited.
A Luiz shot from range was spilled by Lloris and the alert Watkins reacted quickest to tee up Buendia, who slotted home from close range to help make up for his Qatar disappointment after he failed to make Argentina’s squad.
Perisic sent an effort over on the turn moments later before Conte turned to his limited options on the bench and introduced Ryan Sessegnon in place of Bryan Gil after he struggled to make an impact on his first Premier League start.
Matt Doherty, Spurs’ other wing-back, prevented Villa from doubling their tally with 64…
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