What the papers said: Spurs debacle

Gareth Bale's Christmas Hat-trick

"Make no mistake, this result was no fluke. The first-half corner count was 15-1 in the visitors’ favour and Villa did not enjoy a shot on Hugo Lloris’s goal until Marc Albrighton’s effort three minutes from time." - Daily Mail


"What Paul Lambert would give for a Scrooge at the heart of his defence as he contemplates a relegation battle with a callow squad who cannot help but be scarred by the consecutive batterings of the past week." - Daily Telegraph

"The claret and blues shipped eight goals in their last Premier League outing against Chelsea and they were guilty of more sloppy play against Spurs who could have won by more but for the heroics of Villa keeper Brad Guzan." - Express and Star

"Had Spurs not won this encounter, Villa would have gotten away with daylight robbery! From start to finish Tottenham played the better football and eventually took their chances. The only surprise was that it took them so long to put the game to bed".  - SportsMole