Manzambi catches eye as Villa beat Spurs 3-2 at Tottenham
Aston Villa defeated Tottenham Hotspur 3-2 at Tottenham in the Premier League on 19 September 2026, with Johan Manzambi, Nicolas Jackson and Emi Buendia on target and Conor Gallagher and Jan Paul van Hecke scoring late for Spurs; the win was Villa's first league victory of the season.
Manzambi scored his first Aston Villa goal and provided an assist on his full debut, while Buendia’s strike from about 25 yards into the top corner sealed the game for Villa; goalkeeper Zion Suzuki produced important first-half saves from Savio and Archie Gray, though his distribution was judged below his usual standard.
Tottenham’s starting XI saw Antonin Kinsky make a comfortable save from Manzambi before being beaten by Villa’s goals; Pedro Porro returned after missing recent draws but limped off injured after 18 minutes despite a positive start. Jan Paul van Hecke offered a robust defensive display and was beaten by Manzambi for the opener, while Micky van de Ven took a blow to the face and was off the pitch for treatment when Villa scored. Andrew Robertson’s error in trying to keep the ball in contributed to Villa’s first goal and he was later ruled offside in the build-up to Mohammed Kudus’ disallowed effort; Sandro Tonali had a first-half strike whistle wide and his overall outing was described as underwhelming.
Tottenham’s attacking substitutes were unable to change the outcome: Archie Gray, introduced on 18 minutes for Porro, was denied by Suzuki with a chance on his first touch; Mohammed Kudus, on at half-time, had a goal disallowed and could not spark a turnaround. James Maddison, brought on at 66, was unable to make an impact from the bench; Lucas Bergvall and Conor Gallagher were introduced on 84, with Gallagher’s late consolation his second goal in successive games. Unused Spurs substitutes were listed as Dubravka, Tosin, Senesi and Udogie.
Villa’s individual contributions were reflected in their ratings: Zion Suzuki 8 after key saves, Aaron Wan-Bissaka 5 and substituted at half-time following a slip, Tyrone Mings 6, Victor Lindelof 7 and Matteo Ruggeri 6 on his full Premier League debut. Joao Gomes, in his first Premier League appearance after his opening-weekend dismissal, was rated 7 for protecting Villa’s lead; Boubacar Kamara 7 for the shot that fell to Manzambi; John McGinn 7 for his role in creating the opening; Emi Buendia 7 for his 25-yard finish; Johan Manzambi 8 for a goal and an assist on his full debut; Nicolas Jackson 7 after being isolated early but scoring and earlier forcing a smart save from Kinsky. Matty Cash, on at half-time for Wan-Bissaka, was rated 7; George Hemmings (on 72) helped Villa to a comfortable win, with Ibrahim Mbaye and Ross Barkley also introduced on 84; unused Villa substitutes were Wright, Bogarde, Abraham, Garnacho and Harwood-Bellis.
Despite two late goals from Tottenham, Villa held on to secure their first Premier League win of the season, surviving a late Spurs fightback to claim the 3-2 victory.
