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Tottenham slump to defeat by Villa as European hopes fade

epa09213373 Harry Kane of Tottenham reacts after the English Premier League soccer match between Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa in London, Britain, 19 May 2021. EPA-EFE/Richard Heathcote / POOL EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications.

LONDON, May 19 (Reuters) - Tottenham Hotspur's European hopes were dealt a huge blow as their final Premier League home game of the season ended in a dispiriting 2-1 defeat by Aston Villa on Wednesday.

By Martyn Herman

 

Striker Harry Kane’s uncertain future at the club has left Tottenham fans wearing a frown in the past week but the 10,000 fans back inside Tottenham’s stadium were buoyed when Steven Bergwijn gave them an eighth-minute lead with a powerful finish.

Just like Tottenham’s season, however, optimism quickly faded after Sergio Reguilon’s horrible sliced own goal after 20 minutes gifted Villa an equaliser out of the blue.

Another Reguilon mistake allowed Ollie Watkins to fire Villa ahead and Tottenham’s confidence drained away with the visitors squandering opportunities to increase their lead.

After months without being allowed into the stadium, Tottenham fans chanted against club chairman Daniel Levy and booed their team off at halftime.

Kane, in what could be his final home game for the club, was a subdued figure although he did force Emiliano Martinez into a second-half save while Gareth Bale came off the bench to try to liven up Tottenham’s attack.

Villa were worthy winners, though, and wasted several good chances while substitute Carney Chukwuemeka hit the base of the post in stoppage time.

Tottenham, who face a tough final game away at Leicester City on Sunday, are on 59 points in sixth place, the same as West Ham United who will move above them later on Wednesday if they avoid defeat at West Bromwich Albion. (Reporting by Martyn Herman, editing by Ed Osmond)

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