Aston Villa 2-1 Tottenham: Douglas Luiz and Jacob Ramsey strike to sink Spurs and keep up their push for place in Europe next season... as Unai Emery's side draw level on points with north London strugglers

Unai Emery did not give much away, he simply clenched a fist and shook it towards the jubilant Aston Villa fans as he strode towards the tunnel but the master of the Europa League has the competition in his sights once again.

Emery has transformed the mood since his arrival at Villa Park and, after two defeats, lifted them back on track by outplaying Tottenham for long spells and surviving a late scare to extend their Premier League home record to six wins in a row.

His team could have scored more but goals by Jacob Ramsey and Douglas Luiz were enough to ease them level on points with their visitors from North London. Harry Kane reduced the deficit with a disputed late penalty and Spurs scrambled after a late equaliser, but these feel like two clubs on different trajectories.

One with a steely glint in eyes fixed on Europa League qualification. The other drifting both on and off the pitch, still without new manager on the horizon, with Kane's future unclear and in danger of missing out on European football for the first time since 2005.

'It was not the objective to go for Europe,' said Emery, when asked if he considered a realistic target when he replaced Steven Gerrard in October. 'It was a process. I told the players we have to try but if we don't get there it is not a failure.'

Now the prize is in their hands with two fixtures remaining, even if they are tough, at Liverpool and at home to Brighton.

Aston Villa continued their push for a place in Europe next year with a 2-1 win over Spurs

'Our challenge is coming against Liverpool because we are not competitive away like we are at home,' added Villa's former Arsenal boss. 'We have to work, stay strong, try to beat Liverpool and get the Europa League position.'

Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy must envy the impact Emery has had at Villa as he searches for a manager who, after a series of failed appointments, can inject the same energy and create a similar fast, attractive and successful brand of football.

Villa went ahead early and dominated the first half after Ramsey's goal, a fluent move sparked with a neat touch by Ollie Watkins as he evaded a rash challenge by Cristian Romero. Ramsey picked the ball up, moved it wide to Leon Bailey on the right and continued his run.

Bailey made a yard and cut a cross low into the penalty box, and Ramsey arrived to convert with a first time finish. It was his fifth Premier League goal of the season, all of them scored at Villa Park.

Emery's team almost made it two with a very similar move, cutting through the Tottenham defence with surgical precision after a loose pass by Pedro Porro.

Watkins crossed for Bailey, who was denied by a fabulous save by Fraser Forster, down quickly to keep it out with a strong left hand. Emi Buendia rattled the bar with a left-footer after Spurs were hustled into another error in possession.

Ryan Mason's team were pinned back, unable to break Villa's perilously high defensive line, superbly marshalled by Tyrone Mings. When they thought they were clear, the flag went up, albeit belatedly and usually against Heung-min Son.

They did not muster a shot of any description before the interval. Nor did they force a corner. All of which fuelled discontent in the away end, where the travelling supporters filled any lull in the noise with a chorus of protest song, aimed at Levy.

Forster made another save from Buendia as Villa started the second half with similar intent but a glorious chance to equalise fell to Kane, in the 52nd minute.

Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg won the ball from Luiz and sent Kane through on goal but Martinez, Villa's former Arsenal 'keeper, made the save.

It was huge chance squandered although it Tottenham sparked into life. Mason's substitutions also added impetus. On came Yves Bissouma, his first appearance since an ankle injury in early February, and Dejan Kulusevski, who curled a shot inches wide almost immediately.

Then Villa scored the second, a delicious free-kick teased over the defensive wall and beyond Forster's despairing dive by Luiz after another clumsy foul by Romero on Watkins.

Tottenham did rally late. Martinez dashed from his line and tripped Kane. Initially, referee Peter Bankes awarded a corner but VAR intervened because replays showed the goalkeeper made no contact on the ball.

Kane converted from the spot for his 27th Premier League goal of the season, the first goal conceded by Villa at home since February. It brought his earlier miss back into focus. It also made for a nervous final few minutes. 

Son found the net only to be denied by another flag, but Villa deserved the win and they hung on to claim victory and moved in on the Europa League, a competition Emery has won four times.