VIDEO Tottenham 3-0 Aston Villa Goal Highlights: Paulinho, Adebayor Clinch Europa For Hotspur
A goal each for Paulinho and Emmanuel Adebayor assured Tottenham of a 3-0 win over Aston Villa at White Hart Lane and the final Europa League league spot Sunday.
Spurs end the term in sixth on the Premier League table, only a year removed from star Gareth Bale’s departure, and clinched Europa League for a fourth straight year.
Villa finished 15th on the table with 61 goals allowed this term, the fourth most in Premier League, and manager Paul Lambert’s position maybe in jeopardy.
Wasting little time, Paulinho started off with his sixth goal of the term in the 14th minute, rebounding his initial attempt with a simple strike past Villa keeper Brad Guzan for a 1-0 lead. Guzan would finish with four saves on the day, while Tottenham's Hugo Lloris earned one save and his 13th clean sheet of the year.
Villa remained strong until defender Nathan Baker let up an own goal in the 35th minute. Hoping to make a play on the ball with the dangerous Adebayor in position to score in front of the net off defender Danny Rose’s cross, Baker instead headed it in to the top right corner and Spurs held a 2-0 advantage with total control.
Adebayor’s 11th goal of the year came off a penalty in the 38th minute after midfielder Gabriel Agbonlahor was whistled for a handball in the area.
Lambert’s side managed only one shot on target throughout the match, contrasted by six from Tottenham. Spurs also used a slim 55-45 possession advantage to force five corners and keep pressure on Villa throughout.
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