Reported by Simon Daniel Yusuph l Journalist at Weng Global
Tottenham Hotspur scored their first Premier League goals of the 2026/27 season on Saturday but remained without a league victory after Aston Villa defeated them 3-2 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
The September 19, 2026, encounter saw Tottenham recover late from a three-goal deficit, but their response came too late to prevent Villa from securing their first Premier League win of the campaign.
The result leaves Roberto De Zerbi’s Tottenham side still searching for a first league victory after five matches.
Villa Take the Lead
Tottenham started the game with attacking intent but were unable to convert their early opportunities.
Aston Villa eventually opened the scoring in first-half stoppage time through Johan Manzambi, who finished from close range after Boubacar Kamara created the opportunity.
Villa went into the interval with a 1-0 advantage, leaving Tottenham needing a response after the break.
Jackson Doubles Villa’s Advantage
Aston Villa extended their lead in the 67th minute when Nicolas Jackson found the net.
The second goal placed Tottenham under significant pressure as the home side struggled to turn possession into clear scoring opportunities.
Villa then appeared to put the match beyond Tottenham’s reach when Emiliano Buendia scored from distance with 11 minutes remaining.
At 3-0 down, Tottenham faced the prospect of another match without scoring.
Tottenham Finally End Goal Drought
Tottenham’s long wait for a Premier League goal finally ended in the 87th minute.
Conor Gallagher pulled one goal back for the hosts, with Mohammed Kudus providing the assist.
The goal ended Tottenham’s four-match league scoring drought and gave the home supporters renewed hope of an unlikely comeback.
Kudus had earlier appeared to score, but the effort was ruled out for offside following a VAR review.
Tottenham continued pushing forward and eventually reduced the deficit to one goal when Jan Paul van Hecke headed home deep into stoppage time.
Despite the late pressure, Villa held on to claim the victory.
Tottenham Still Searching for First League Win
The defeat means Tottenham remain winless in their opening five Premier League matches.
Before facing Villa, De Zerbi’s side had collected two points from their first four league fixtures and had failed to score in each of those matches.
The two goals against Villa therefore represented a significant change in their attacking fortunes, although they were not enough to secure a result.
The defensive performance, particularly the three goals conceded before the late comeback, remains an issue for Tottenham as they attempt to recover from their difficult start.
Difficult Start for De Zerbi
The result adds to the pressure surrounding Tottenham’s early-season campaign under De Zerbi.
The Italian manager arrived with expectations surrounding the club’s new direction, but results have been difficult to secure during the opening weeks of the Premier League season.
Tottenham’s league struggles have also been accompanied by disappointment in cup competition after they suffered a 3-1 defeat to Liverpool in the League Cup earlier in the week.
The latest defeat means De Zerbi must now focus on finding a way to turn Tottenham’s improved attacking output into positive results.
Villa Secure First League Victory
For Aston Villa, the victory provides an important boost after their difficult opening to the season.
Villa had also been searching for their first Premier League win before Saturday’s trip to north London.
Manzambi’s first-half goal gave the visitors the platform they needed, while Jackson and Buendia added further goals after the interval.
Although Tottenham’s late comeback created a tense finish, Villa’s earlier three-goal advantage proved sufficient to secure all three points.
The victory moves Villa onto four points from five league matches.
What the Result Means
The match produced contrasting outcomes for the two teams.
Tottenham can take some encouragement from finally finding the net in the Premier League, particularly after going four consecutive league matches without scoring.
However, the late goals did not change the result, and Spurs remain without a league victory.
Villa, meanwhile, can take confidence from securing their first league win and scoring three goals away from home.
With the season still in its early stages, both clubs have opportunities to improve their positions. Tottenham’s immediate priority will be turning their improved attacking performance into points while reducing the defensive mistakes that contributed to Saturday’s defeat.
What Happens Next
Tottenham will now prepare for their next Premier League fixture as De Zerbi seeks to end the club’s winless run.
Aston Villa will also look to build on the victory and use the result as a foundation for improving their position in the league.
For Tottenham, the late goals against Villa provide evidence that the team can find the net, but the challenge now is to produce that attacking threat earlier in matches and combine it with a more resilient defensive performance.
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Sources
- Reuters — Report on Aston Villa’s 3-2 victory over Tottenham, September 19, 2026.
- BBC/Press Association — Coverage of Tottenham’s defeat and Aston Villa’s first Premier League victory.
- The Guardian — Tottenham Hotspur vs Aston Villa match report, September 19, 2026.
- The Independent — Coverage of Tottenham’s first Premier League goals and defeat to Aston Villa.
- Tottenham Hotspur official website — Club and team-related information.
