Aston Villa consigned Tottenham to their third successive league defeat as an Ollie Watkins strike completed a fine comeback on Sunday.

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Spurs got off to a flyer with a Giovanni Lo Celso screamer, and should have got a stronger foothold on the game before Villa snatched an equaliser against the run of play. Pau Torres rose highest to head home Douglas Luiz’s delightful cross just seconds before the break. It was a classic smash-and-grab from Unai Emery’s side, who had comfortably been second best.

But Villa, visibly improved in the second period thanks to a much stronger bench than the home side, turned things around completely. They deservedly went ahead on the hour mark through a fine team goal, which was finished expertly by Ollie Watkins. Son Heung-min then had a brace of goals disallowed and Emi Martinez produced some fine heroics in the Villa goal as Spurs fell to their third straight defeat – all of which have come after scoring first.

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Torres’ equaliser just before the break was the first headed goal Tottenham have conceded all season – and what a costly time it came for Ange Postecoglou’s side.

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He was feeding off scraps in the first half and barely got into the game early on, but Watkins was clinical when it mattered most. The in-form England international took his tally for the season up to 12 goals by finishing off a delightful team move on the hour. No doubt the Villa forward was helped by some fine goalkeeping from Martinez late on, but Emery can celebrate his side getting into the Champions League places thanks to Watkins’ crucial strike.

GettyTHE BIG LOSER

You have to feel for Rodrigo Bentancur. The Uruguayan was offered his first start for Spurs since February, but lasted just over half-an-hour before being hauled off with yet another injury. The midfielder had been been on the receiving end of a shocking challenge from Villa’s Matty Cash moments earlier – which was lucky to escape a red. Spurs fans will be hoping Bentancur’s latest setback isn’t a serious one, but his reaction didn’t look good.

WHAT COMES NEXT?

After three defeats on the bounce it doesn’t get any easier for Spurs, as they travel to Manchester City on Sunday. Aston Villa, who leapfrogged their north London adversaries and into fourth spot with Sunday’s win, host Legia Warsaw in the Europa Conference League on Thursday.