The pressure on Tottenham Hotspur manager Thomas Frank has intensified dramatically after his side were eliminated from the FA Cup at home by Aston Villa on Saturday 10 January 2026.
A Nightmare Week Culminates in Cup Exit
Frank's week went from bad to worse at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. After the embarrassment of being pictured with an Arsenal-branded coffee cup before a midweek Premier League defeat at Bournemouth, his team produced a lacklustre first-half display against Villa. The visitors took full advantage, with Emiliano Buendia and Morgan Rogers scoring to give Unai Emery's side a commanding 2-0 lead at the break.
Spirited Rally Falls Short
A much-improved Tottenham emerged after half-time, with Wilson Odobert pulling a goal back in the 55th minute. Spurs created further opportunities as they pushed for an equaliser, but a combination of resilient Villa defending and poor finishing meant they could not complete the comeback. The final whistle confirmed a 2-1 defeat, Tottenham's fourth loss in their last seven matches across all competitions.
Boos and a Tenure Hanging by a Thread
The result prompted another chorus of boos from the home supporters, directed squarely at the dugout. Frank, who succeeded Ange Postecoglou, is now facing severe scrutiny. Last season, a deep cup run bought Postecoglou crucial time, but this exit removes that potential buffer. Tempers flared at full-time amongst players and staff, contrasting sharply with Villa's celebrations. The victory was Aston Villa's 13th win in 15 matches, keeping their ambitions alive on three fronts.
For Thomas Frank and Tottenham, the focus now shifts solely to the Premier League, with his future at the club appearing increasingly uncertain.
