The Japan Times - Spurs humbled at home again as Villa hit back

Rodrigo Bentancur put Thomas Frank's side ahead early in the first half at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

But Rogers equalised with a superb strike before the interval and Buendia came off the bench to seal the points in the closing stages.

Tottenham's woeful home form in the Premier League -- 11 defeats and just three wins in 18 league games -- has proved a major issue for Frank since he replaced the sacked Ange Postecoglou in the close-season.

While the majority of those home losses came under Postecoglou last term, Frank's short tenure has produced mixed results at the club's 62,000-seat stadium, with boos audible after a defeat to Bournemouth in August and a 1-1 draw with lowly Wolves last month.

The end of Tottenham's seven-game unbeaten run in all competitions left them in sixth place after the second defeat in Frank's eight league games.

Villa have responded to their longest winless start to a season since 1964 with five successive victories, three in the top-flight and two in the Europa League, extending their unbeaten streak to eight matches.

It was especially notable that Villa finally beat a top-four rival away from home after taking just one point from their six trips last season to the English sides currently in the Champions League.

Unai Emery's team are up to 10th place as they try to climb back into the race for Champions League qualification.

Already without James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski, Yves Bissouma, Destiny Udogie and Dominic Solanke due to fitness issues, Frank lost captain Cristian Romero to an injury in the pre-match warm-up.

Despite that blow, Tottenham needed just five minutes to take the lead.

Mohammed Kudus's cross was headed back across goal by Micky van de Ven towards Bentancur, who dispatched a clinical finish past Emiliano Martinez from eight yards.

Bentancur celebrated by shoving the ball under his shirt to create a bump in tribute to his wife, who is pregnant with the couple's second child.

Villa defender Matty Cash blasted just over from the edge of the area as the visitors tried to respond in the driving rain.

Tottenham forward Wilson Odobert threatened with a low drive that Martinez palmed away.

But Rogers hauled Villa level in spectacular fashion after 37 minutes.

The England midfielder's first goal this season was well worth the wait.

Taking aim 20 yards from goal, Rogers unloaded a stunning strike that left Tottenham keeper Guglielmo Vicario grasping at thin air as it curled over his out-stretched arm.

Odobert's goal-bound rocket was blocked by Ezri Konsa before Martinez denied Joao Palhinha as Tottenham looked to take charge in the second half.

But Mathys Tel joined Tottenham's growing injury list as the forward limped off to have a heavy bandage wrapped around his knee.

Frank's problems were mounting and Villa took full advantage in the 77th minute.

Cash's cross-field pass found Lucas Digne and he teed up Buendia, who whipped a fine finish into the bottom corner from the edge of the area.

Randal Kolo Muani, making his Premier League debut, should have rescued Tottenham in stoppage-time, but the on-loan Paris Saint-Germain striker scooped over with the goal at his mercy.

S.Ogawa--JT