Tottenham and Aston Villa players clash at full time, and fans mock Thomas Frank with chants and boos during the FA Cup tie.
It was yet another damaging result for Frank and his side’s crashing out of the FA Cup Third Round following a 2-1 defeat, with goals from Buendía and Rogers putting Villa 2-0 up by half time.
There were loud boos from Spurs fans with many staying away longer after the break, while travelling Villa supporters taunted Thomas Frank with “You’re getting sacked in the morning”, and then “Thomas Frank is an Arsenal fan” after being pictured drinking from a Gunners-branded coffee cup before the Premier League defeat at Bournemouth. More on that HERE.
Wilson Odobert managed to get one back in the 54th minute and Tottenham created more threat, but couldn’t complete a comeback.
The result can only be viewed as one where Frank’s time at Tottenham is likely coming to an end, with the rest of the season now about damage limitation and trying to restore some respectability, to try and improve on last season’s finishing position of 17th, currently they are 14th.
‘He’s an Arsenal fan, Thomas Frank’ is the chant being sung by BOTH sets of fans in the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium 👏🤣pic.twitter.com/O31r0mDmkM
— george (@StokeyyG2) January 10, 2026
Aston Villa fans to Thomas Frank…
“You’re getting sacked in the morning.”
And “Thomas Frank is an Arsenal fan!”#COYS #THFC pic.twitter.com/fXV7vYt8fl
— Chris Cowlin (@ChrisCowlin) January 10, 2026
At full time, a melee broke out involving players from both teams when Spurs were angered by Villa’s celebrations.
The TNT Sports commentator is heard saying: “There’s a brawl breaking out over in the far corner. More in discipline involving Tottenham Hotspur players right at the end of the game.
“Thomas Frank will get a lot of flack for this. Tottenham will get flack for this too, but the problems might just run a little deeper than just the man in the dugout.
“Unai Emory in the other dugout doesn’t seem to do much wrong. But Morgan Rogers celebrating in the face of the Tottenham players I think has sparked this slight bit of argy-bargy at the end of the game.”
A closer look at the post-match brawl between the Tottenham and Aston Villa players 🔎😡 pic.twitter.com/KqcE6SFPyh
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) January 10, 2026
Tottenham manager Thomas Frank speaking after the FA Cup defeat, per BBC Sport: “Our second half was exactly how we wanted it to be. Energy, intensity, tempo, playing forward and the fans pushed us on. We got a goal and had chances for a second one. Unfortunately, we didn’t get it and in the end, it wasn’t enough. If we had played two halves like that, we would have won the game.”
On Spurs fans booing the team at half time: “Of course I understand the frustration. Understandable. But I also think what was every nice to see in the second half was how unified the team and the fans were together. They fed off each other’s energy. How we played and went forward – that’s what we need to build going forward.
“In the second half, the passion, character and intensity that we played with, that’s what we need to bring every game and every 90 minutes.
“It was exactly the opposite against Sunderland. We started fantastically in the first half but couldn’t keep up in the second half. If we can put two halves like that together, then it would look much better.”
On whether Richarlison has sustained a hamstring injury: “Yeah, it looks like that. We don’t know yet of course.
“It’s a bigger question for the football authorities. We have had a very tight schedule with five games in 13 days. Four [games] in 10 days for the third time this season. That’s something we need to look into. Two off days in between games is a very short turnaround. It’s not just us, but there are a lot of clubs who are dealing with that.”
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery speaking to BBC Match of the Day after their victory over Tottenham: “The first 45 minutes, we controlled the game like we planned. We created chances, we scored two goals, we dominated and we defended very well. The second half, Spurs started pushing more, they scored a goal. Progressively in the second half, we were feeling better on the field. Again, good positioning and dominating with the ball. Not creating big chances but getting the control of the game like we planned and how we did in the first half.
“Of course, in 90 minutes overall, I think we deserved to get this win and of course how the players responded on the field, showed the mentality we’re building is really fantastic.”
On his midfield: “Fantastic. Both players fantastic, and today played 90 minutes. Of course, the qualities and the skills of Buendia are really helping us a lot. And today, playing 90 minutes, with his versatile position, playing in a left side and inside as a 10, we did both during the match. In each position he’s performing very well and his commitment to help, get his task done and focus, overall, is really fantastic.
“Especially today, the performance of Morgan [Rogers] and Buendia was really fantastic, and each one can feel comfortable playing with their qualities.”
On making six changes: “Yes, we need players. We’re in the Premier League, the Europa League, and this competition we are respecting a lot. Because last year we played the semi-final. There are thousands of supporters here with us giving us responsibility. The FA Cup is a way for a trophy, a way for Europe as well. Secondly, how we are managing the squad, different players, different moments, some players injured, some players coming back from injury like Pau Torres, and we need players for the next matches, the next competition, Premier League, Europa League, FA Cup.”
“If we played two halves like that, we would have won”
Thomas Frank reflects on a tough defeat as Tottenham’s tough run continues 📉
🎙️@LiamMacdevitt |📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/HMcZJmygl6
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) January 10, 2026
Unai Emery heaps praise on his midfielders after their 13th victory from the last 15 games 🔥
🎙️@LiamMacdevitt |📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/3r3Kf6gQXO
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) January 10, 2026
Here’s how Twitter users reacted after Tottenham and Aston Villa players clash at full time, and fans mock Thomas Frank with chants…
@NathanBeck_: So Watkins walking into palhina then acting like he did nothing and let everyone else fight his battles. And Rogers needs to chill out he’s not that guy, VDV was ragging him all over the place 🤣
@Thfc20031: He was absolutely superb last 20 mins Paulinha, if only they all showed his fight tbh
@stanloftus2: Watkins… starts it and then runs away hiding…
@thorley_8: Palhinha went from acting tough with Watkins to shatting his panties with Rogers 😭😭
@JayVtid: Made Palhinha cry. My striker!
@ben_h_avfc:2 things1. Look at Ollie laughing 🤣🤣2. It’s a good job Van de Ven was holding Rogers or he might have gotten himself on a lot more trouble 🫣
@Neal_Cop: Watkins being a right divil here. Knew exactly what he was doing the stupid welly. If he was miffed about some fair but crunching tackles during the game, take it up with the ref. JP should’ve have been booked for the tackle on Kamara I get it. But this is children stuff.
@PatrickTimmons1: Thomas Frank’s Spurs spell has objectively been hilarious. 14th in the league. Out of the cup at the first hurdle. 2 home wins all season. Eze hattrick after rejecting them. Rocking up to Brentford with an Arsenal cup. Comedy gold.
@TalkingTHFC: Thomas Frank cannot continue as Spurs manager. It’s enough now. The players aren’t playing for him, combined with them just simply not being good enough. End our misery now.
