Aston Villas Triumph in FA Cup Against Tottenham Puts Frank in Peril
Aston Villa brought Tottenham manager Thomas Frank nearer to dismissal with a narrow 2-1 victory against the struggling Danish-led team during the FA Cups third round clash on Saturday.
The Tottenham chief faces mounting pressure following his sides two concessions during a dismal opening 45 minutes at their north London home.
Emiliano Buendia opened the scoring for Villa while Morgan Rogers extended the away teams advantage.
Spurs showed improvement post interval yet despite Wilson Odobert pulling one back they could not prevent back to back losses.
The defeat concluded in chaotic style for Tottenham as their irate squad got into a scuffle with Villa players right after the whistle amid a barrage of jeers from the crowd.
The Lilywhites have secured only three triumphs from their last 14 outings and occupy 14th spot in the Premier League just three positions better than their finish under Ange Postecoglou last term.
Should Frank last until the following weekend a further home reversal versus bottom tier West Ham would likely spell the end of his turbulent tenure.
Frank compounded his issues by sipping from a mug featuring the logo of Spurs fiercest adversaries Arsenal prior to the 3-2 loss at Bournemouth this Wednesday.
That cringeworthy mistake sparked fury among Tottenham fans who again jeered Frank and his squad at the end.
With this result Frank sees his team exit the Cup after yet another lacklustre showing in the ex Brentford handlers dismal debut campaign.
Brought in to succeed the dismissed Postecoglou who broke the north London clubs 17 year silverware famine via Europa League success last year Frank appears increasingly overwhelmed at a side with Tottenhams lofty ambitions.
Villa last FA Cup winners in 1957 have now beaten Tottenham twice this season including a 2-1 Premier League success back in October.
Unai Emerys squad also overcame Spurs in the FA Cup fourth round the previous campaign.
No Escape for Frank
Eager to gain some respite Frank bucked the Premier League trend of bosses rotating stars in the FA Cup by fielding a robust starting XI.
To honour the 125th year since they became the inaugural non league outfit to claim the FA Cup Tottenham donned a unique memorial kit sans player names on the rear and with muted sponsor and badge prominence upfront.
Regrettably for Frank Tottenhams initial half performance resembled amateur level play far below what one anticipates from his high cost squad.
Villa struck first from their initial notable raid in the 22nd minute.
John McGinn paired with Donyell Malen sliced open Tottenhams fragile backline via swift interplay before Buendia rifled a shot from 10 yards into the top corner.
Away supporters mocked the Spurs manager with songs declaring Thomas Frank is an Arsenal supporter.
Franks woes deepened as Brazilian forward Richarlison hobbled away seemingly with a hamstring issue.
Tottenham lacked direction and Rogers duly netted Villas second right on the cusp of the break.
Such a smooth sequence is something Frank has seldom coaxed from his charges with Buendias clever heel flick setting up Rogers for a sharp tap in at close quarters.
The hosts rallied in the latter period and Odobert halved the arrears in the 54th minute.
Randal Kolo Muani seized the ball in the centre circle and fed Odobert who drilled a low effort from 12 yards into the bottom far corner.
During a short spell of dominance Xavi Simons struck the upright while Kolo Muani drew a stop from Marco Bizot.
However their impetus waned late on leaving Frank utterly exposed.