Spurs escape drop zone with crucial 2-1 victory away to Aston Villa

Tottenham's 2-1 victory over a weakened Aston Villa side on Sunday propelled them out of the Premier League relegation zone, a crucial win that came courtesy of goals from Conor Gallagher and Richarlison.

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Gallagher, who signed from Atletico Madrid in January, opened the scoring with his first goal for Roberto De Zerbi's side, giving them an early lead at Villa Park.

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Villa boss Unai Emery had fielded a weakened team, with Thursday's Europa League semi-final against Nottingham Forest in mind, and Tottenham dominated the proceedings as a result, with Richarlison scoring their second goal before half-time.

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Emiliano Buendia's late goal, scored with just seconds left on the clock, was little consolation for Villa, who had been thoroughly outplayed by their visitors.

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West Ham's defeat at Brentford on Saturday had given Tottenham a lifeline in the relegation battle, and they grasped the opportunity with both hands, moving one point above third-bottom West Ham with their second successive win.

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Tottenham now control their own destiny, with games against Leeds, Chelsea, and Everton to come, as they bid to avoid the humiliation of playing in the second tier for the first time since the 1977-78 season.

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The north Londoners had ended a 15-game winless league run with a 1-0 victory at relegated Wolves the previous weekend, De Zerbi's first win since taking charge.

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That win had been Tottenham's first since December, and they followed it up with another priceless victory, their first back-to-back wins since beating Brentford and Slavia Prague in December.

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De Zerbi was without a number of key players, including Xavi Simons, Dominic Solanke, and Cristian Romero, due to injury, but his side responded to his challenge with a determined performance.

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Emery, meanwhile, had made seven changes from Thursday's 1-0 defeat at Nottingham Forest, prioritising the return leg of the Europa League semi-final.

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Villa, who are fifth in the table, six points ahead of sixth-placed Bournemouth, were unable to cope with Tottenham's high press, which pushed them deep into their own half.

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Gallagher's fine finish in the 12th minute had given Tottenham the reward for their vibrant start, the midfielder taking a smooth touch before drilling a low strike past Villa keeper Emiliano Martinez.

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Joao Palhinha was inches away from doubling Tottenham's advantage moments later, his thunderous drive from 20 yards smacking off the post.

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Randal Kolo Muani then arrived at the far post to meet Tel's cross with a shot that Martinez palmed over, as Villa struggled to cope with the incessant pressure.

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Tottenham's energy and desire eventually told, and it was no surprise when they scored again in the 25th minute, Tel's pin-point cross picking out Richarlison, who punished Villa's sloppy marking to power his header past Martinez.

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De Zerbi's joy was unconfined as he celebrated the goal, while Emery's men were left to ponder a dismal first-half display, which had seen them fail to muster a single shot before the half-time whistle.

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Villa's last comeback from two goals down at half-time to win in the Premier League had come in 2005, and they never threatened to end that streak, despite Buendia's stoppage-time header from Matty Cash's cross.