FA Expected ‘To Charge’ Spurs & Aston Villa After ‘Disgraceful’ Fight

A feisty FA Cup third-round clash between Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa ended in a post-match confrontation that could lead to the FA punishing both clubs. Unai Emery’s men won 2-1 away from home but one of the main talking points was a brawl that occured after the final whistle.

Emi Buendia gave Villa the lead in the 22nd minute with a fierce strike that gave goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario no chance. It was two on the brink of half-time when Morgan Rogers netted his eighth goal of the season in the 45+3rd minute.

Spurs responded in the second half with a much-improved performance that resulted in a 54th-minute goal from Wilson Odobert. The Lilywhites pushed for an equaliser but failed to find one, leaving them out of both domestic cup competitions.

Tottenham 1-2 Aston Villa: FA Punishment Expected For Brawl

An incident after the game marred the exciting battle in North London when Ollie Watkins‘ celebrations got under Joao Palhinha‘s skin. Rogers intervened, defending his Villa teammate as the pair pulled and tugged at one another.

Soon, both sets of players, coaches and others were on the scene as tempers flared between the two Premier League clubs. It seems the confrontation will prompt the FA to take action.

Former Premier League referee Keith Hackett reacted to the incident by suggesting they would be disciplined for failing to control their players. A similar situation took place in Chelsea’s 2-1 loss to Villa in December, and the Blues have been charged by the FA.

Hackett told Tottenham News: “Once again, at the end of the game, we witnessed another disgraceful confrontation between the two teams. The FA will certainly charge both clubs with failing to control the players. Any previous record of events of this nature will be taken into account.”

Pedro Porro was involved in a separate incident when he was seen shouting at the linesman during the match. He was booked for his behaviour, but further consequences could come: “The FA may also review the poor reaction from Porro, too, and determine if any action should be taken. I don’t expect the player to be suspended.”

There was a hostile atmosphere in the stadium as Spurs fans watched their side lose their 12th game under Thomas Frank. It wasn’t just the players misbehaving on the night, as Villa supporters and a section of the home crowd chanted “you’re getting sacked in the morning” at Frank.

Frank Accuses Watkins of Provoking Palhinha

Frank wore a defeated face as he walked the pitch while the melee ensued and there are doubts that he will remain Spurs boss. But the Dane defended Palhinha after his bust-up with Rogers and suggested it was instigated by Watkins while speaking in his post-match press conference:

“I don’t think so. I guess you have seen the situation through? I just saw it to be sure I saw what I saw. Of course, it’s all about keeping a cool head. The players gave everything, everything out there, (but) losing a tight game, season not going perfect and I think Ollie is very provoking.”

Frank claimed that Watkins purposefully walked into Palhinha: “The way he is going down to celebrate in front of the Villa fans, and he is walking into Joao, he can just easily walk around. I think everyone that has been in a competitive nature, that is difficult and can trigger things.”

Palhinha was enraged with Watkins, who was celebrating in front of the away fans after his side sealed their place in the FA Cup fourth round. It was Rogers who got physical with the Portuguese midfielder, but there was no word from Hackett on whether the duo could face action and not just the two clubs.