Tottenham moved out of the Premier League relegation zone with a 2-1 victory at Aston Villa, securing momentum in the survival battle.
Tottenham earned a vital 2-1 victory at Aston Villa on Sunday night, which lifted them out of the Premier League relegation zone. The win marked their second consecutive league success, a sequence not achieved since early in the season. With just three matchdays remaining in the 2025-26 campaign, the fight to avoid relegation is expected to remain fiercely contested until the final whistle. Wolves and Burnley have already been relegated, leaving one spot still up for grabs.
Former Manchester City defender Micah Richards shared his thoughts on Tottenham’s win, stating: "That's a huge result for Spurs. I didn't see that coming. Villa were poor, but right from the start Spurs absolutely made the most of it with their desire and intensity. They were exceptional in how they set up, they were really brave." Richards also suggested West Ham face a steep challenge ahead.
Former England striker Alan Shearer added: "They won every single tackle, every single second ball and they took the risk out of their game by not playing from the back in certain circumstances. You need every single player at it when in desperate trouble and Spurs had that. It has been a terrible weekend for West Ham."
Nottingham Forest currently sit 16th with 39 points, having played one fewer game than both Tottenham and West Ham. They could extend their lead over the drop zone to six points with a win against Chelsea on Monday at 15:00 BST. Forest have been in strong form recently, going unbeaten in their last six league matches and securing three victories. However, their European campaign may complicate their domestic focus as they aim for a Europa League final spot.
Tottenham had endured a difficult spell since the new year, enduring a 15-game winless streak that plunged them into relegation trouble. A 3-0 loss to Nottingham Forest cost manager Igor Tudor his job, while a 1-0 defeat to Sunderland in De Zerbi’s first match saw the club slip into the bottom three. Their fortunes shifted with a last-minute draw against Brighton and a narrow league win over Wolves to record their first league victory of 2026, sparking hope among frustrated supporters. Sunday’s success at Villa provided further belief that the team is peaking at the perfect moment.
West Ham had been building positive momentum since the international break, recording wins over Wolves and Everton and drawing with Crystal Palace. However, a 3-0 defeat to Brentford on Saturday dealt a major blow to their survival ambitions despite hitting the woodwork four times. The loss ended their three-match unbeaten run and dropped them back into the relegation zone after Tottenham’s victory. Their next fixture against leaders Arsenal adds further pressure to their already fragile situation.
Nottingham Forest, in 16th place with 39 points, have been the in-form side among the strugglers, unbeaten in six league games and halfway to securing a Europa League final berth. Tottenham, 17th with 37 points, have clawed their way out of immediate danger under Roberto De Zerbi following a torrid spell under the previous manager. West Ham, 18th with 36 points, had been showing resilience before their setback but now face an uphill task to maintain top-flight status.
| Team | Position | Points | Games in Hand |
|--------------|----------|--------|---------------|
| Nottingham Forest | 16th | 39 | 1 |
| Tottenham | 17th | 37 | 0 |
| West Ham | 18th | 36 | 0 |
Each of the three teams still in the relegation fight has two remaining home games, though Forest appear to face the toughest path. Forest play Chelsea (ninth) away before hosting Newcastle (13th) and traveling to Manchester United (third). Their final match is at home to Bournemouth (sixth) on the season’s last day. West Ham must bounce back from their Brentford loss before hosting Arsenal (first) and then face Newcastle away before closing with a home game against Leeds (14th). Tottenham’s remaining fixtures include a home game with Leeds, an away trip to Chelsea, and a final-day home match against Everton (11th).
In each of the past nine Premier League seasons, 36 points have been sufficient to guarantee safety. Since the 20-team era began in 1995-96, teams finishing 17th have averaged 35.53 points for survival. However, this season’s threshold may be higher, as West Ham already have 36 points, Spurs 37, and Forest 39. Historically, 36 points have secured survival 60% of the time across 38-game seasons. The survival rate improves to 80% with 38 points, 90% with 40, and 100% with 43 or more points. West Ham hold the unwanted record for the highest points total by a relegated team in the 20-team era, with 42 points in 2002-03.
According to data experts Opta, West Ham are now strong favorites at 75.1% chance of relegation this term. Tottenham have a 22.5% probability, while Forest sit at just 2.3%. These figures reflect West Ham’s recent struggles and the pressure of their upcoming fixtures.