Tottenham Hotspur were eliminated from the FA Cup on Saturday (10) after a 2-1 home defeat to Aston Villa in the third round, a result that has increased pressure on manager Thomas Frank. At full-time, Spurs players and coaching staff were booed by supporters, reflecting growing frustration at the club’s recent performances.
The hostile reaction from the stands is becoming a pattern. Similar scenes had already occurred days earlier following Tottenham’s defeat to Bournemouth in the Premier League, and the FA Cup exit has only intensified scrutiny of Frank’s work.
Thomas Frank reacts to Tottenham’s FA Cup exit
Speaking after the match, the Tottenham manager did not hide his disappointment:
“It’s disappointing. We’re all hurt and there was nothing we wanted more than to advance to the next stage. We played at home, with our strongest team, but we couldn’t do it,” Frank said.
The defeat marked Tottenham’s 10th loss of the season under Thomas Frank, a worrying statistic that has fueled debate among fans about the club’s direction and the manager’s future.
Aston Villa strike early, Spurs react too late
Aston Villa built their advantage in the first half, with goals from Emi Buendía and Morgan Rogers exposing Tottenham’s defensive fragility. The home side struggled badly in the opening 45 minutes, prompting audible protests from the crowd at half-time, according to Sky Sports.
Tottenham improved after the break and managed to pull one back through Wilson Odobert, which briefly lifted the atmosphere at the stadium. Spurs pushed hard for an equalizer, creating chances through Odobert, Mathys Tel, and Xavi Simons, but Villa goalkeeper Marco Bizot made key saves to preserve the lead.
Despite late pressure, Aston Villa held firm to secure qualification and send Spurs out of the competition.
Pressure mounts on Tottenham and Thomas Frank
Following the final whistle, frustration boiled over once again, with renewed booing from the stands and a brief scuffle between players from both teams. The result raises serious questions about Tottenham’s momentum, squad confidence, and Thomas Frank’s position as manager.
With domestic cup hopes now over, Spurs must respond quickly in upcoming league fixtures to ease the tension and rebuild trust with their supporters.
Manchester United also exit the FA Cup
Tottenham were not the only big club to suffer FA Cup disappointment. Manchester United were also eliminated on Saturday, losing 2-1 at Old Trafford to Brighton. Goals from Brajan Gruda and Danny Welbeck sealed qualification for the Seagulls, adding to a difficult weekend for two Premier League giants.
