© EPA-EFE
Aston Villa have stepped up the pressure on Antonio Conte as Tottenham coach after a 0-2 win at Spurs. Chelsea got stuck at 1-1 against Nottingham Forest.
Michael Van Damme
Hugo Lloris, who lost the World Cup final with France on penalties, did not have a particularly happy return to Tottenham. Five minutes into the second half, he made a mistake, allowing Emiliano Buendia to give Aston Villa the lead, 23 minutes later Douglas Luiz scored the 0-2.
It could have been a confrontation between the two goalkeepers of the World Cup final, but the Argentine world champion Emiliano Martinez was on the bench at Aston Villa.
It was not the day of the World Cup finalists, as Argentina’s Tottenham defender Cristian Romero was booked in the first half and escaped a second yellow.
A weak Tottenham was already knocked out of the top four by Manchester United on Saturday and managed to win just two of its last seven games. Villa, on the other hand, won its second home game in a row under Unai Emery.
The home crowd at Tottenham Stadium stirred. The players were booed after the final whistle and chants against chairman Daniel Levy were heard.
There was also a lot of dissatisfaction on the field at Tottenham: Son Heung took off his protective mask in frustration and Harry Kane sank deeper and deeper to come and request the ball.
Mangala takes a point against Chelsea with Nottingham Forest
After the ball hit the crossbar, Sterling was able to work the rebound in easily. — © REUTERS
Chelsea also did not make a good turn on New Year’s Day. The Blues got stuck on a 1-1 draw against Nottingham Forest, eighteenth in the score. At Forest, Red Devil Orel Mangala participated for 78 minutes. Raheem Sterling gave Chelsea the lead after sixteen minutes, but Aurier scored the deserved equalizer after 63 minutes. Chelsa is eighth after the draw and that is not a good thing for manager Graham Potter. Chelsea have won just one of their last five games in all competitions. Under Potter, The Blues took 15 out of 30 in the Premier League.
