Tottenham Hotspur climb out of relegation zone with win at Aston Villa

Tottenham Hotspur eased their Premier League relegation fears with a vital 2-1 victory at Aston Villa to move above West Ham United and out of the bottom three on Sunday.

West Ham's defeat by Brentford the day before opened the door for Tottenham and they took full advantage with Conor Gallagher's low shot and Richarlison's header punishing a lacklustre Villa inside the opening 25 minutes.

Fifth-placed Villa were poor as they appeared to have one eye on Thursday's Europa League semi-final, second leg against Nottingham Forest and their only effort on target was Emiliano Buendia's consolation header seconds before the final whistle.

Tottenham had gone 15 games without a league win and were careering towards their first relegation since 1977 before they finallystopped the rot at Wolverhampton Wanderers last week.

Despite a host of injuries they returned to the West Midlands to produce a display that was unrecognisable to most of what they have served up this season.

New manager Roberto de Zerbi has now taken seven points from his first three games in charge and while Tottenham are far from safe, they have momentum and belief heading into their final three games of the season.

The win moved them into 17th place with 37 points from 35 games with West Ham on 36 from 35. They also have a far superior goal difference to their London rivals.

Villa remain in fifth place with 58 points and remain in a strong position to ensure Champions League qualification.

The suspicion that Tottenham were heading to Villa Park at a good time was confirmed as manager Unai Emery made seven changes to his line-up with the likes of Ollie Watkins, Ezri Konsa, Lucas Digne on the bench and John McGinn rested.

Tottenham's intensity overwhelmed the hosts in the opening stages and they got the perfect start when Gallagher chose the perfect time to score his first goal for the club.

Controlling a high ball on the edge of the area in the 12th minute, he took a touch and fizzed a shot just inside the post past a diving Emiliano Martinez.

It was almost 2-0 minutes later as Joao Palhinha's drive rebounded off the post.

Villa could barely get a touch as the home fans vented their frustration and things got worse for the hosts in the 25th minute when Mathys Tel swung in a cross and Richarlison headed in.

Tottenham looked in control thereafter and Buendia's reply came far too late to create any nerves amongst the visiting fans who celebrated wildly at the final whistle.

(Reporting by Martyn Herman Editing by Toby Davis)