Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Joao Palhinha (left) and head coach Roberto De Zerbi react after the match against Aston Villa at Villa Park in Birmingham, England, on Sunday. | AFP-JIJI

Birmingham, England – Tottenham Hotspur eased its Premier League relegation fears with a vital 2-1 victory at Aston Villa to move ⁠above West Ham United and out of the bottom three on Sunday.

West Ham's defeat by Brentford the day before opened the door for Tottenham and it took full advantage with Conor Gallagher's low shot and Richarlison's header punishing a lackluster Villa inside the opening 25 minutes.

Fifth-placed Villa was poor as it appeared to have one eye on Thursday's Europa League semifinal second leg against ​Nottingham Forest, and its only effort on target was Emiliano Buendia's consolation header seconds before the final whistle.

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