Aston Villa’s transformation from relegation strugglers to European contenders continued with victory over Tottenham, whose hopes of securing a Champions League place ended at Villa Park.
Jacob Ramsey’s tidy eighth-minute finish was followed by Douglas Luiz’s free-kick to earn Unai Emery’s side a sixth successive home win.
Spurs, who have been in the top four for the majority of the season, were flat and uninspiring, although Harry Kane did score a consolation from the penalty spot after he was fouled by goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.
Tottenham failed to register a single attempt on goal in the first half as Villa completed the double over their opponents for the first time since the 1995-96 season.
Villa, who were 19th in the table after losing four of their first five Premier League games of the season, are seventh, level on 57 points with sixth-placed Spurs, who can finish no higher than fifth.
Villa have taken 45 points out of 69 since Spaniard Emery officially took charge on 1 November, when the club was one point above the relegation zone after Steven Gerrard’s sacking.
