Tottenham boss Thomas Frank expressed his hurt after his side's FA Cup exit to Aston Villa, but criticised Ollie Watkins for sparking a full-time melee. First-half goals from Emiliano Buendia and Morgan Rogers put Villa in control, and despite a spirited second-half rally, Spurs could not prevent a 2-1 defeat.
The result piles more pressure on Frank, who has lost seven of his last 13 matches. He recently endured criticism after inadvertently using an Arsenal-branded coffee cup before a defeat at Bournemouth, and Villa's away supporters taunted him with chants about being an Arsenal fan.
Wilson Odobert pulled a goal back in the 55th minute, but Spurs squandered further chances. At full-time, tempers flared when Villa's Watkins celebrated in front of Spurs' Joao Palhinha, leading to clashes involving Morgan Rogers and Ezri Konsa as players from both sides became embroiled.
Frank defended his players' passion but pointed the finger at Watkins. "Ollie is very provoking. The way he is going down to celebrate in front of the Villa fans and he is walking into Joao, he can just easily walk around," he said. "You need to play with passion, and sometimes that triggers things."
Villa boss Unai Emery praised referee Craig Pawson for his handling of the match, acknowledging that emotions can run high. "Some moments happened, with some players, and I think we can understand in the circumstances," Emery said.
