Aston Villa knock Spurs out of the FA Cup.

 Aston Villa knock Spurs out of the FA Cup. 

Aston Villa, founder members of the Football League way back in the mists of history, sent beleaguered Spurs crashing out of this year's FA Cup and the club have now been driven out of two consecutive Cup competitions within a couple of days. Last week, Liverpool demolished Ange Postecoglou's North London warriors at Anfield in the Carabao Cup, highlighting all of the weak spots and deficiencies in Spurs latest collection of foot loose and fancy free adventurers. 

But on Sunday night Aston Villa, who are still in this season's Champions League, are still motoring along the highways and byways of the Premier League, challenging for another place in Europe next season. The possibility of reaching another major European Final still remains a real prospect although you suspect it could be out of their reach in realistic terms. The superb 1-0 victory against Bayern Munich in the 1982 European Cup Final, with the headed winner scored by Peter Withe, still lives on at the Holte End at Villa Park with the most triumphant banner but similar exploits this season could be wishful thinking. 

The FA Cup of course has always represented that elusive dream for Villa for almost 70 years ago and the FA Cup Final victory against Manchester United in 1957 reminds you of a yellowing piece of parchment paper. In 2000, Villa came agonisingly close winning the FA Cup again, although they were simply played off the park by a rampant Chelsea on the day. So here was another opportunity for Villa to assert their authority on this most famous competition and Spurs were never going to get in their way. 

From the very off Villa came flying out of the blocks with football of the most stunning co-ordination, easy on the eye fluency and the kind of expansive, free flowing football that at times it looks too simple. During the 1980s, Villa, under the permanently grim and emotionless Ron Saunders, played some of the most thoughtful and progressive football seen in many a season. The old First Division League Championship trophy was thoroughly deserved and teams dreaded visiting Villa Park. 

The likes of Denis Mortimer, Chris Nicholl, Tony Morley, Gordon Cowans, Des Bremner and the late and much missed Gary Shaw had a look of invincibility about it, a team refined by the finest materials. Cowans was both architect, craftsman, chief engineer and draughtsman at the heart of Villa's midfield and Morley on the wing was almost unstoppable. But back in the present day, their football has been buffed up and polished to such an attacking potency that, for much of this Premier League season and certainly the last, Villa have injected life back onto the Villa Park terraces. 

Unai Emery, who was almost inexplicably regarded as a complete failure at Arsenal, has now found a claret and blue vintage maturing at a rapid rate. Emery is now the complete tactician and technician at Villa and looks an assured and comfortable figure in his coaching dug out. He is no Sir Alex Ferguson or Arsene Wenger but there is something of the inspirational messiah about him that is so reassuring that Aston Villa must be thinking that something special will turn up sooner rather than later. 

Immediately, Lucas Digne, Ezra Konsa, Leon Bailey and Andres Garcia looked as safe as houses at the back for Villa, tightening up the nuts and bolts in their defensive unit. Then, the back four ventured forward so often that there was never any chance that Spurs would find Villa short and lacking. All gaps were securely plugged for Villa and their attack began to look after itself. This was a Villa at their most cohesive and reliable, a side with a clear objective, pattern and structure. A place in the next round of the FA Cup was never in doubt. 

In midfield, there is  Marco Asensio, a brilliant signing, the cultured Youri Tielmans who looks like the classiest player Belgium have ever produced and Scottish midfielder John Mcginn, hard working, tireless, combative, energetic and busily involved. The direct and penetrative running of Morgan Rodgers is a joy to watch and, if Tomas Tuchel is looking for his next generation of England players, he need look no further than Rodgers. 

But Villa are now rather like that stately liner at sea that just cruises through exotic waters without a care in the world. Their natural passing football has the look of freedom and spontaneity that seems just off the cuff without any training ground rehearsal. The difficult seasons before Emery are now ancient history and Villa are stitching their football together like the most eye catching embroidery. 

And so Villa took the lead just minutes into the game. After a typically intricate network of short, sweet passes, Morgan Rodgers handsome, threaded pass through was taken perfectly in his stride by Jacob Ramsey. Ramsey powered through on goal before driving low and accurately into the net. From that point onwards, their monopoly on possession and attractive football was rewarded with further chances to increase the lead. Remarkably Spurs, just completely out of sorts on the evening, did all they could to just hold Villa at bay without so much as laying a glove on Villa. 

For Spurs, the wobbling back four of Archie Gray, Kevin Danso and Dejan Kulusevski were never entirely sure of their bearings and kept unravelling like a cotton reel when Villa attacked en masse. Their midfield boiler room of Djed Spence, Lucas Bergvall and Rodrigo Bentancur could never get to grips with a now rampant Villa attack. For a moment you were convinced that James Maddison was desperately needed to bring a stylish edge to Spurs midfield but then recognised that Spurs were fighting a losing battle. 

Eventually the North London just threw in the proverbial and cliched towel. Another nimble, quick witted passing movement across the pitch ended up at the feet of Morgan Rodgers. By now the Aston Villa midfield player was gliding over the grass with the greatest ease. Rogers, jinking and dancing, found the Dutch forward Donyell Malen who, in turn, picked out Leon Bailey and Rodgers, moving telepathically into space, slid the ball into the back of the net from close range. Villa were home and hosed. There was no way back for despairing Spurs. 

And so it was that Spurs Australian manager Ange Postecoglou gazed out into the middle distance rather like a man who has no idea what the future holds for him. Postecoglou has understandably been blunt, prickly, irritable, brusque and standoffish with the media. Some of his comments are the obvious reactions of a man under extreme pressure. It is now the Europa League or nothing at all for Spurs since the Premier League became a busted flush for them ages ago. It may be time to concentrate on another season.