Wednesday December 26, 2012 Day 19 Finished Villa Park

Aston Villa 0 - 4 Tottenham Hotspur

  • Defoe 58’
  • Bale 61’, 73’, 84’

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  1. Premier League - Bale treble helps Spurs thrash Villa

    Premier League - Bale treble helps Spurs thrash Villa

    Gareth Bale scored a second-half hat-trick as Tottenham Hotspur handed hosts Aston Villa a 4-0 thrashing. More

  • Live Commentary

    Time:90'
    • Aston Villa
    • Tottenham Hotspur
    • - Don't forget you can watch highlights of this match, along with every Premier League game, from 00:01 tonight (UK only).
    • 90+3 The final whistle goes and Spurs go fourth on goals scored ahead of Everton. Villa stay 16th and fall to the worst goal difference in the division.
    • 90+1 Three minutes added time being played.
    • 89' Sigurdsson almost finds Defoe but Villa are able to shepherd it out for a corner.
    • 87' They were going through the motions earlier but not it's like an exhibition match as Spurs pass it around a broken Villa.
    • 85' SPURS SUB: Bale's work is done, Townsend on in his place.
    • 84' That is Bale's second career hat-trick - at least Villa know they are in the company of Inter Milan.
    • 83' HAT-TRICK BALE! He smashes a rasping finish into the roof of the net after a fantastic cut-back from Sigurdsson. Silly heart celebration but he's allowed this time.
    • 81' Villa have been awful this past week. The fragility and inexperience of their team is clear to see. They could easily go down - better teams have done.
    • 79' SPURS SUB: Adebayor is replaced by Sigurdsson.
    • 78' Holman wins a free-kick on the Villa left. Spurs will make a change first.
    • 76' The ball is sent long for Defoe, who could be in but the ball bounces poorly for him and he has to hold it up.
    • 75' Defoe blasts one well over after another driving run from Lennon and a nice low ball by Walker.
    • 73' GOAL SPURS! BALE! His second and Spurs' third as they carve a backtracking Villa apart, Lennon with time to pick out Bale who drills a vicious low finish into the bottom right. Too easy.
    • 72' Fine cross by Bale aimed at Adebayor but a towering Herd header clears.
    • 71' Good cross again from Albrighton but Benteke is having an off day and doesn't move for it.
    • 70' Bale is fine for now, running off the knock. Had he actually been seriously hurt I doubt he'd have been able to take the extra tumbles.
    • 69' Delph absolutely clobbers Bale, who takes a few theatrical rolls for added effect, and the ex-Leeds midfielder is booked.
    • 67' Hilariously the ref gives a corner after Holman acknowledges that he shoved Lloris to force him to drop the high ball.
    • 66' SPURS SUB: Parker on for the injured Dembele, who walks off in some discomfort.
    • 65' Dembele is limping. Can't see him continuing.
    • 64' Both sides going through the motions now. Villa effectively down and out.
    • 62' Villa have been suckerpunched quite spectacularly. Any way back for them? Doubtful. They can always bring on Bent I suppose. Oh, hang on...
    • 61' ... And Spurs score. Bale racing away on the break after a poor clearance from Bennett, rounding Guzan coolly to slot home. 2-0!
    • 60' Terrible cut-back from Benteke after he was sent clean through down the right! Cleared and Spurs break...
    • 59' Herd is writhing around in agony on the turf and the ref halts play... He's okay, possibly winded there.
    • 58' A fine cross from Bennett skims off the head of Benteke and away for a goal kick.
    • 57' GOAL TOTTENHAM! DEFOE! The irony that Villa's best spell should see Spurs score. Naughton with the killer through ball, Defoe shifting it on to his right before sliding a low finish through Guzan's legs. 1-0!
    • 55' GREAT SAVE LLORIS! Ach but Benteke was off when he finished Ireland's fantastic low diagonal ball. Just.
    • 54' Benteke is offside after being played clean through by Ireland. About a yard in it.
    • 53' Villa half-clear the Walker corner, with Spurs having a throw on the other flank now.
    • 52' Clark takes no chances as he puts to touch with Lennon lurking. It yields a corner though, which Walker will take...
    • 51' Clark is kicked in the head by Adebayor. Some refs would send you off for that.
    • 50' Bennett almost gets in behind down the left but Sandro sweeps up.
    • 49' Wasted free-kick from Ireland, who sends an aimless long pass straight to Lloris.
    • 48' Ireland is hauled down by Dembele and Villa have a free-kick.
    • 47' Suddenly Spurs are on the back foot as Albrighton's pace and directness causes problems!
    • 46' Albrighton makes an immediate impact with a swift run down the right but his cut-back is poor and Spurs clear.
    • 46' The second half is underway!
    • - HALF-TIME VILLA CHANGE: Albrighton comes on for Westwood.
    • 45+3 Lloris claims the corner at the second attempt and we go into half time goalless.
    • 45+2 Corner to Villa, their first, Spurs having had about 15.
    • 45+1 Three minutes added time being played.
    • 45' VILLA SUB: Ireland replaces Baker.
    • 44' Baker won't be able to continue, looks like it was more than cramp. Ireland to come on - Villa will switch from a back five to a four.
    • 43' Baker is down with some cramp it seems.
    • 42' Fine ball to the far post from Bale but Adebayor can't get the rising header on target!
    • 41' Another corner to Spurs, which Bale will take this time...
    • 40' Defoe with a lay-off to BALE WITH A FIZZING DRIVE but palmed away by Guzan! Unorthodox save but effective!
    • 38' A Spurs free-kick comes off Baker's head but lands nicely for Guzan.
    • 37' Walker puts the corner on the head of Vertonghen but he sends it over, before making the obligatory spurious penalty claim on account of Clark's pressure. Possibly another corner though.
    • 36' Good block by both Baker and Herd as Vertonghen flew in with a volley. Corner.
    • 35' Villa counter as Lowton spins in a fine low cross that skims the head of Benteke to fall at Holman's feet, but falling he can only bounce it over!
    • 34' Great block by Baker to deny Adebayor! It was a fine run by Bale down the left and a really good cut-back, Adebayor's touch a bit heavy but still able to get the shot away.
    • 32' Dembele brings it forward, now Walker on the right, inside to Adebayor but he was offside.
    • 31' Misdirected defensive header by Lowton results in a corner. Adebayor heads towards goal but Guzan claims.
    • 30' Good move from Villa as a throw puts Westwood in, then Bennett plays over a decent cross that flashes across goal. Spurs do clear though.
    • 29' Walker does get up but I don't think he'll be booked. Play restarts with a throw. Winded, it seems.
    • 28' A Spurs player is down hurt... Walker I think. Yes, Walker, who flung himself down as Bennett challenged. It was a dive, but he landed heavily. I think the ref may book him you know.
    • 27' Bennett with a low ball in for Benteke, who can't kill the pace of it and Spurs clar.
    • 26' Benteke wins a flick-on, Holman on it now, to Al Ahmadi who finds Bennett but Delph gives it away.
    • 25' AvB is having a chat with Walker about some tactical switch or other - it may involve Sandro, who is down, but he's just redoing his laces.
    • 24' A second corner on the right but Walker's ball is cleared by the head of Baker. Villa break as Al Ahmadi finds Benteke, but his touch lets him down.
    • 23' Defoe should have scored as the Villa defence parted bizarrely, but Guzan narrowed the angle to limit it to a corner.
    • 22' Westwood gives it away needlessly in midfield, Defoe runs at the defence, he finds Lennon wide right whose driven cross is hacked wildly behind by Baker for a corner.
    • 21' After a promising start for Spurs, Villa have got a bit more of a grip on this game. Net result? Dirge.
    • 20' A round of applause bridges minutes 19 and 20 in tribute to Stan Petrov.
    • 19' Good run by Bale down the left but he runs out of steam as he plays a weak low ball straight to Guzan.
    • 18' Villa finally have a string of passing moves with the end product a throw on the left wing.
    • 16' Defoe and Adebayor almost combine on the edge of the box but the latter's touch lets him down.
    • 15' Delph collides with his own team-mate. Delay as he's treated, knock to the head.
    • 14' Decent ball this time but Villa scramble it clear. Holman loses control of the ball though and a throw.
    • 13' Defoe with a heavy through ball that Adebayor won't trap. Out for a corner though, which Walker will take.
    • 12' A free-kick to Spurs but Villa clear that. Spurs laying camp on the edge of the box.
    • 11' I say 'Villa clear' but they don't really, Spurs attacking in waves as Bale smacks a curling left-footer to the top right that Guzan does well to tip over!
    • 10' Corner Spurs now as a Sandro effort is deflected wide. Poor short routine though as Villa clear.
    • 9' Fine ball in from Bale on the left but cleared by Villa with Adebayor lurking.
    • 8' Villa have barely touched the ball. Lowton does fly in with a good tackle on Bale.
    • 7' Terrible corner from Walker this time, sending out for a throw on the right.
    • 6' Bale curls it towards the top left but it's read by at least one wall member, who rises to head behind for a corner.
    • 5' Defoe is fouled by Herd around 25 yards out, on the edge of the D. Frighteningly young Villa defence tonight.
    • 4' Spurs have a corner anyway, which Walker will take from the left. All Spurs so far, but Bale flicks it well wide of the near post. He claims it was a corner but the ref has none of it.
    • 3' Defoe on the run, it opens up for Adebayor but Defoe slightly underhits the through ball.
    • 2' Bright start by Spurs as Naughton surges down the left to place a nice right-footed cross that is headed clear by Herd.
    • 1' The first half is underway at Villa Park!
    • 17:25 William Hill have the odds today at Aston Villa 11/4, Tottenham 11/10, Draw 11/5. Tough one to call – Villa’s thrashing by Chelsea seems an anomaly and I can see a response, but the AVB Spurs are tough to break down. Let me know what you think on Twitter @Reda_Eurosport. FOLLOW ON TWITTER!
    • 17:20 FACT: Aston Villa have won just one of their last 11 Boxing Day fixtures (W1 D4 L6). Tottenham have won five and lost none of their last seven Boxing Day games. Andre Villas-Boas’ side are the only Premier League team to score in every away game this season.
    • 17:15 FACT: Emmanuel Adebayor has scored six goals in eight Premier League starts against Aston Villa including four in his last three. The six goals netted by Adebayor against Aston Villa is his joint-highest haul against any opponent in the Premier League, along with Blackburn, Derby and Tottenham. Spurs have lost none of their last eight Premier League games against Aston Villa (W5 D3 L0).
    • 17:10 Andre Villas-Boas: "He (Benteke) has been outstanding, for sure. He has eight goals so far. I think he is surprising everybody. To his credit he has come up strong. He has strong competition from Bent. I think Paul Lambert was courageous in his decision to keep on persisting with a player that he got so well in the transfer market so credit to them. But it is good to see him up there."
    • 17:05 Paul Lambert on an 8-0 loss to Chelsea: "It can happen. I've been on the end of it before and I'm pretty sure some of their lads would have been on the end of heavy defeats. But you have to bounce back and it's about how we react. You can't dwell on it and start feeling sorry for yourselves. It is important that we try and bounce back very quickly. We just never turned up on Sunday and that is the harsh reality of football."
    • 17:00 Spurs Forward Clint Dempsey is out with a groin problem. Benoit Assou-Ekotto does NOT make his long-awaited comeback from a knee injury while Scott Parker is not risked for first start of the season after coming off the bench in the last two games following his recovery from an Achilles injury. Younes Kaboul is expected to return from his knee injury next month.
    • 16:55 Villa striker Gabriel Agbonlahor (thigh), winger Charles N'Zogbia (calf) and defender Ron Vlaar (knee) all miss out as Benteke leads the line solo with Baker and Clark playing centre-back. Darren Bent is again ruled out with a hamstring injury while centre-back Richard Dunne will undergo rehab work after a third groin op.
    • 16:50 TEAMS – Aston Villa: Guzan, Lowton, Baker, Clark, Bennett, Holman, Westwood, Herd, El Ahmadi, Delph, Benteke; Subs: Given, Bowery, Lichaj, Ireland, Carruthers, Bannan, Albrighton /// Spurs: Lloris, Walker, Gallas, Vertonghen, Naughton, Sandro, Dembele, Lennon, Bale, Adebayor & Defoe; Subs: Friedel, Caulker, Dawson, Livermore, Townsend, Parker, Sigurdsson
    • 16:45 Hello and welcome to our LIVE coverage of the Premier League Boxing Day clash between Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur, kicking off at 5.30pm.

  • Summary

    • 83' HAT-TRICK BALE! He smashes a rasping finish into the roof of the net after a fantastic cut-back from Sigurdsson. Silly heart celebration but he's allowed this time.
    • 73' GOAL SPURS! BALE! His second and Spurs' third as they carve a backtracking Villa apart, Lennon with time to pick out Bale who drills a vicious low finish into the bottom right. Too easy.
    • 61' ... And Spurs score. Bale racing away on the break after a poor clearance from Bennett, rounding Guzan coolly to slot home. 2-0!
    • 60' Terrible cut-back from Benteke after he was sent clean through down the right! Cleared and Spurs break...
    • 57' GOAL TOTTENHAM! DEFOE! The irony that Villa's best spell should see Spurs score. Naughton with the killer through ball, Defoe shifting it on to his right before sliding a low finish through Guzan's legs. 1-0!
    • 40' Defoe with a lay-off to BALE WITH A FIZZING DRIVE but palmed away by Guzan! Unorthodox save but effective!
    • 35' Villa counter as Lowton spins in a fine low cross that skims the head of Benteke to fall at Holman's feet, but falling he can only bounce it over!
    • 34' Great block by Baker to deny Adebayor! It was a fine run by Bale down the left and a really good cut-back, Adebayor's touch a bit heavy but still able to get the shot away.
    • 23' Defoe should have scored as the Villa defence parted bizarrely, but Guzan narrowed the angle to limit it to a corner.
    • 11' I say 'Villa clear' but they don't really, Spurs attacking in waves as Bale smacks a curling left-footer to the top right that Guzan does well to tip over!
    • 16:50 TEAMS – Aston Villa: Guzan, Lowton, Baker, Clark, Bennett, Holman, Westwood, Herd, El Ahmadi, Delph, Benteke; Subs: Given, Bowery, Lichaj, Ireland, Carruthers, Bannan, Albrighton /// Spurs: Lloris, Walker, Gallas, Vertonghen, Naughton, Sandro, Dembele, Lennon, Bale, Adebayor & Defoe; Subs: Friedel, Caulker, Dawson, Livermore, Townsend, Parker, Sigurdsson

Team Line-up & Ratings

  • Line-up

    Live Team Line-Up

  • Rate Players

    Rate Players

    Please to rate the players.

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    • Player Y! Users Expert My Rating
      Goalkeeper
      5 -
      Defenders
      4.2 -
      4 -
      3.9 -
      Substitution Out45′ 4.5 -
      4.3 -
      Midfielders
      Substitution Out45′ 3.4 -
      Yellow Card 4 -
      3.9 -
      Strikers
      3.7 -
      5.7 -
      Subs
      Substitution In45′ 3.5 -
      Substitution In45′ 4.2 -
    • Player Y! Users Expert My Rating
      Goalkeeper
      6.6 -
      Defenders
      6.7 -
      5.9 -
      7.7 -
      5.9 -
      Midfielders
      6.6 -
      Substitution Out67′ 6.5 -
      6.5 -
      Goals ×3 Substitution Out85′ 8 -
      Strikers
      Goal 7.3 -
      Substitution Out80′ 6.5 -
      Subs
      Substitution In67′ 6.4 -
      Substitution In85′ 6.2 -
      Substitution In80′ 7.2 -

Comment 54 - 74 of 74

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  1. I think Tottenham will win this one.

    From Alfred, on Sun 20 Jan 14:14

  2. "Errrrr errrrgeererr meerr eerrr rerrrrrrrr ­ errrr rreeerrr derrrraahh terreerr leeeeerrr ­ nerrreeerrrr teeerrr beerrree ah waeeerreeerr. ­ Errrr greeeeaaaarrrrr jeeerrrr sheiiiiererrerr­ teeeeeeerrrrrrreeerrrr heeerrrrrr aaahhhhh errree ueeer­ feeeer" (Translation - I'm a garbage­ manager and even dog's toilet like Norwich are­ better off without me. I jumped ship trophy hunting and­ am ultra FAIL.) ~ Paul Lambert's post match­ interview.

    From Alexis De tocqueville, on Fri 28 Dec 11:44

  3. how spurs are above is total #$%$ spurs have lost 6­ everton only two yet spurshave won one more its all­ wrong but i suppose there the rules,dont mean its right­ tho

    From FREDERICK, on Thu 27 Dec 9:28

  4. Without stating the obvious...Villa are looking­ doomed..

    From Tilton, on Thu 27 Dec 1:11

  5. i'm guessing this very Spurs side that thrashed and­ humilated the Villains at Villa Park would tear us to­ shreds in our own back yard then. damn - being­ smashed 4-0 at home is awful. AVB's getting them­ playing again....

    From MR ANFIELD ACES, on Wed 26 Dec 23:42

  6. villa lol just a bunch of nobs with #$%$ brummie­ fans,from wba,blue's and wolves lmao

    From Andy, on Wed 26 Dec 23:04
  7. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    We score 4 at u'r home as well...away from stamford­ bridge..huhuahua

    From naz, on Wed 26 Dec 22:00

  8. @ Jimbog, you also got humiliated in front of the whole­ world against Atletico Madrid & Corinthians.

    From Robert Jardine, on Wed 26 Dec 20:10

  9. Jack Wilshere (played 45, 1 goal). Gareth Bale ( 3­ goals today)

    From Robert Jardine, on Wed 26 Dec 20:02

  10. Hallejugh aston villa welcome to the championship lose­ to ipswich lose to bradford that is the worst ­ jokes

    From , on Wed 26 Dec 19:57

  11. Something wrong @ villa

    From taps, on Wed 26 Dec 19:45
  12. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Don't worry all you N O B H E A Dzz, the mighty­ Liverpool are playing next so you can all become­ keyboard warriors without spines and claim you have a­ mind by attempting comments. what a waste of bog roll­ you all are.

    From MICHAEL, on Wed 26 Dec 19:45
  13. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Remember Bale will soon be on his way to Real Madrid,­ and we will see how u guys are gonna end up without Him

    From Ken, on Wed 26 Dec 19:44

  14. can some one pls let me know for a bet of 2 pounds­ stake for spurs to win 4 nil ,odd was 66/1. Regards

    From Alex, on Wed 26 Dec 19:42
  15. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    yeah just a win against a feeble side and u spuds are­ dreaming of d premier league. dream on u spuds. we will­ see where u guys will end up .lollllllllllllllll

    From Ken, on Wed 26 Dec 19:41

  16. Merry Xmas all fellow Villa supporters.... Roll on the­ new year

    From Olidix, on Wed 26 Dec 19:27

  17. TAXI for lambert

    From thebear1968, on Wed 26 Dec 19:26

  18. are you aiming for 8 or more Spurs - George will be­ chuffed !!!!

    From Tracey, on Wed 26 Dec 19:25
  19. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Only 4? We put 8 past this team!!

    From jimbog, on Wed 26 Dec 19:25

  20. And just how did this team beat Liverpool...reality­ check Mr.Rogers.I think you head was getting to big.Put­ stoke away and we'll take a new look at stuff.

    From MILES, on Wed 26 Dec 19:24
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