Ange Postecoglou suffered another setback in his quest to win a trophy for Tottenham, as Aston Villa defeated his team 2-1 in the FA Cup.

Postecoglou stated earlier this season that “I always win things in my second year,” but injury-hit Spurs now only have the Europa League to win after being knocked out of the Carabao Cup semi-finals by Liverpool on Thursday.

The Tottenham manager, who was without 11 first-team players due to injuries, smiled when goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky let Jacob Ramsey’s shot past his hands, giving Villa the lead within the first 60 seconds.

However, he was left stoney-faced as Morgan Rogers nudged in a second in the 64th minute to inflict Spurs’ 21st defeat in the previous 46 games, despite Mathys Tel’s well-taken injury-time consolation that caused a tense final few seconds.

Villa’s wastefulness kept Spurs in the game at halftime, with only four shots on target from 11 attempts, while their sole available centre-back, Ezri Konsa, limped out.

After his early blunder, Kinksy helped Villa take a slender lead into halftime by denying Leon Bailey and Rogers, and Heung-Min Son could have equalised when he sent a close-range effort straight at Emiliano Martinez.

Tottenham defender Kevin Danso missed a sitter late on, which proved even more costly when Tel guided a first-time effort into the net after Kinksy had once again denied Ramsey from piling more misery on Postecoglou and chairman Daniel Levy, who watched from the stands as away fans chanted for his resignation.

‘Sympathy for Spurs has worn thin’

Sky Sports’ Lewis Jones:

Tottenham has injuries, but so does Aston Villa. Isn’t top-level management about being able to solve difficulties that develop during the season? Adapt, or perish. Find a way.

Tottenham and Ange Postecoglou do not adapt. The Spurs manager once again referred to his injury list in the aftermath of this setback, but the pity act is wearing thin.

Villa finished the encounter without a fit or available center-back to choose from when Ezri Konsa joined their long list of absentees, but Unai Emery found a method to keep his team playing while still protecting their potential weaknesses in the heart of their defence. That’s how you fix things.

Tottenham sit 14th in the Premier League, 16 points behind fourth-placed Chelsea, and have exited both domestic cup tournaments. The next three months of this season will be difficult for football fans because the club has nothing to play for domestically.

Tottenham’s season is now either Europa League or bust, with or without Postecoglou in charge.

Ange: we look forward to resetting

Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou spoke to the BBC:

“Nothing actually changes. We’ve had a few weeks without any midweek games.

“This bunch of guys has done an incredible job for two and a half months. I can’t thank them enough for their efforts on behalf of a small group of players who have been playing twice a week since the middle of November.

“There will be a chance to rehabilitate now and bring certain players back over the following several weeks. We are looking forward to resetting and completing the season strong.

“Europe is crucial to us, and we’re at an excellent location there. We’ll receive some players back in the next few weeks, which will provide us some break and leisure after doing it for the last two months.

“We had 11 first-teamers out today. Take it away from any team for one game, and they’d struggle, but we’ve been doing it for two and a half months. “We’ll get some players back, which will help.”

Emery: FA Cup means a lot.

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery:

“I’m overjoyed for our supporters because this competition means a lot to them and to Aston Villa.”

“We came here two years ago and did not advance to the fifth round as we did today. We got it fantastically because I believe we played a great match. We did quite well, both collectively and individually.

“The players we recruited in the last month have started to assist us a lot, and we’re really motivated and enthusiastic to see how we can regain our capacity and performance in the coming weeks and months while competing in various tournaments such as the FA Cup, Champions League, and Premier League.

“After the outcome, which is most important to us, it is how we played and how we achieved our performance, both collectively and individually, that I am satisfied with. I have high expectations for how we can improve for the next Premier League, Champions League, and FA Cup matches.”

Villa fresh guys impress on debut.

Sky Sports’ Patrick Rowe:

Progressing to the fifth round is thrilling enough, but the cameo displays of new acquisitions Marco Asensio and Rashford have left Aston Villa supporters wanting more.

“This is probably the best squad we’ve ever had,” Ramsey explained.

“You see the bench, with (Donyell) Malen beginning and Rashford coming in. The squad’s depth is tremendous.

“The starting players have to raise their game as the players coming on are a big threat.”

Despite just having a few training sessions with their new teammates after arriving in the dying days of the January transfer window, Rashford and Asensio worked well together and were unlucky not to have any assists.

Emery now has a wealth of world-class talent at his disposal, but the same issue that he faced with Jhon Duran before to his move to Al Nassr arises once more: how will he deploy them all?

However, when it comes to football difficulties, it is the greatest option.

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