Aston Villa secured a valuable 3-2 victory over Tottenham Hotspur in north London, but the result did not completely satisfy former Villa striker Stan Collymore.
Goals from Johan Manzambi, Nicolas Jackson and Emiliano Buendía helped Unai Emery’s side claim three important points before the international break.
After a frustrating start to the Premier League campaign, the victory provided a much-needed boost for the Villans. However, Collymore was disappointed by one particular aspect of the performance.
What frustrated Stan Collymore?
Despite praising Aston Villa’s overall display, Collymore felt that Emery’s team should have finished the match more convincingly.
The former striker took to X to express his frustration at the two goals conceded late in the game. In his view, Villa had done enough to win by a more comfortable margin and should not have allowed Tottenham to find a way back into the contest.
Collymore described the late goals as a “bitter taste” after what had otherwise been an impressive performance.
He also stressed the importance of killing off matches completely, arguing that allowing an opponent to score late can give them confidence ahead of future meetings.
Nevertheless, his comments were not entirely negative. Collymore also praised the character, determination and quality shown by Aston Villa when it mattered most.
He suggested that victories in the Premier League, the League Cup and the Champions League could prove to be positive signs for the club’s season.
“Come on, Villa!” he added in a clear show of support for Emery’s team.
FT 2-3 Spurs better first half and could have had a couple of goals. Villa regrouped second half, old boys lead, new boys added goals and Villa were cruising at 0-3. Bitter taste letting them get 2 late goals, never give the weak an opportunity, reinforce the victory.Make them go into a break having not scored. Overall, Villa showed the grit, determination and quality when it mattered which bodes well. Prem, League Cup and Champions League comprehensive wins now, bodes well. We just shouldn’t have let them in, at all, because next time here, even feeling as if they can score against us may mean 3-2 the other way. UP THE VILLA!!
— Stan Collymore (@StanCollymore) September 19, 2026
Did Tottenham deserve to score?
Although Collymore was unhappy with the goals conceded, the match statistics suggest that Tottenham created enough opportunities to find the net.
Conor Gallagher pulled one goal back in the 86th minute, before Jan Paul van Hecke scored Tottenham’s second during stoppage time.
The hosts registered 19 shots throughout the match and finished with an expected-goals figure of 1.22. Their first significant opportunity arrived as early as the 11th minute, when Savinho tested Aston Villa goalkeeper Zion Suzuki.
Suzuki produced an outstanding performance between the posts. The 24-year-old made five saves, while also recording three punches and four interceptions.
The Japanese goalkeeper was eventually beaten twice, but his contribution was crucial to Villa’s success.
From Aston Villa’s perspective, conceding two late goals was certainly frustrating. However, Tottenham’s attacking numbers indicate that the home side did have legitimate opportunities to score.
The Aston Villa News BR verdict
Aston Villa can be pleased with an important victory that showcased the team’s resilience and attacking quality.
Stan Collymore’s criticism is understandable, particularly because Villa had established a three-goal lead and appeared to be in complete control.
However, Tottenham did create chances and their goals were not entirely undeserved. Zion Suzuki’s performance was one of the main reasons Villa managed to hold on to all three points.
The result is what matters most, but Emery’s side will need to improve its defensive concentration if it wants to avoid turning comfortable victories into nervy finishes.
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