Tottenham Hotspur manager Thomas Frank admitted he was left feeling "hurt" after his team's elimination from the FA Cup, but shifted blame to Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins for sparking a post-match melee. Spurs lost 2-1 at home to Villa on Sunday, 11 January 2026, intensifying the pressure on the under-fire Danish coach.
Frank's Cup Dream Ends in Defeat and Disarray
The match concluded with ugly scenes as players from both sides clashed after the final whistle. Frank pointed the finger at Watkins, accusing him of deliberately provoking Tottenham midfielder Joao Palhinha. The defeat marks Tottenham's seventh loss in their last 13 matches under Frank, following a midweek loss to Bournemouth.
Frank's week had already been difficult after he was pictured before the Bournemouth game with a coffee cup bearing the logo of Spurs' arch-rivals, Arsenal. His hopes of a restorative cup run were dashed by first-half goals from Villa's Emiliano Buendia and Morgan Rogers. Although Wilson Odobert pulled a goal back for Spurs in the 55th minute, they could not find an equaliser, prompting boos from sections of the home support.
Post-Match Tensions Boil Over
The frustration spilled over immediately after the match. Frank claimed the incident began when Watkins celebrated in front of Palhinha near the centre circle. This led to a confrontation involving Palhinha, Rogers, and Villa defender Ezri Konsa, with numerous other players quickly becoming involved.
"I guess you have seen the situation? I just saw it to be sure I saw what I saw," Frank stated in his post-match interview. "Of course it’s all about keeping a cool head. The players gave everything... but losing a tight game, season not going perfect and I think Ollie is very provoking."
He elaborated, criticising Watkins's actions: "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." Frank defended his own players' passion, suggesting such intensity can sometimes reach "the line and sometimes a little bit borderline."
Emery Praises Referee as Villa Progress
For Aston Villa, the victory represented a 13th win in their last 15 matches across all competitions. Manager Unai Emery, who made six changes to his starting lineup, felt his side deserved their place in the next round. "After 90 minutes, with our momentum, with their momentum, I think we deserved to win," Emery said.
Emery also took time to praise the officiating, despite an injury to his player Boubacar Kamara following a challenge with Palhinha. "I think the referee today did a fantastic job," Emery commented. "Some moments happened, with some players, and I think we can understand in the circumstances it happens on the field."
The result leaves Thomas Frank facing mounting scrutiny, with the cup exit a significant blow. The late melee, now a central talking point, only added to the disappointment of an early exit for Spurs in a domestic competition once again.
