Spurs fans can ‘get excited, why not?’

Manager Ange Postecoglou says Tottenham’s fans can “get excited” after they thrashed 10-man Aston Villa to raise their hopes of qualifying for the Champions League.

While Villa remain fourth in the Premier League, fifth-placed Spurs are now just two points adrift of Unai Emery’s side with a game in hand.

“It was a big game with plenty of significance,” Postecoglou said.

“For us to perform like that was a big credit to everyone.”

If Villa had won on Sunday, they would have moved eight points clear of Spurs in the last Premier League spot guaranteed a place in European football’s elite club competition.

Instead the visitors took control of the contest in the second half with goals from James Maddison and Brennan Johnson coming before home captain John McGinn was dismissed for a rash challenge on Destiny Udogie.

Son Heung-min and substitute Timo Werner – with a goal in stoppage time – wrapped up a 4-0 rout for the north London side.

“Get excited? why not,” added Postecoglou. “The supporters, if they don’t get excited by a performance and result like that, in what was a significant game…you’ve got to enjoy that.

“It means we’re one game closer, with just 11 games to go. Everyone was billing this as a do-or-die for us. I assume we’re not dead yet.”

According to data experts Opta, Tottenham’s convincing victory at Villa Park means they now have a 54% chance of ending the season in the top four, compared to just 40% for Villa and 2% for sixth-placed Manchester United.

Latest Tottenham news, analysis and fan viewsGet Spurs news notificationsSon Heung-min scored his 159th goal in all competitions for Spurs on SundayPassionate McGinn has no ‘bad intentions’ – EmeryMeanwhile, Villa boss Unai Emery is keen for his side to move on quickly from a “very bad day in the office”.

Ajax arrive in the Midlands in the week, with the second leg of Thursday’s last-16 Europa Conference League tie finely balanced after the first match in Amsterdam finished goalless.

“I didn’t speak a lot with the players, only I told them ‘keep going, move on, think of Thursday and West Ham on Sunday’ – and with John the same,” said the Spaniard.

“McGinn has played here and been strong, comfortable, very passionate and he’s a not a player doing things with bad intentions. I think the red card maybe could be a red card but not bad intentions.”

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