Tottenham Hotspur’s FA Cup exit has been marred by ugly scenes involving Aston Villa forward Ollie Watkins, according to manager Thomas Frank.
The Villa striker was accused of provoking Tottenham players after the final whistle, leading to a mass brawl.
Frank expressed his disappointment with Watkins’ behavior, saying he was “very provoking” and could have avoided the confrontation. The melee broke out after Watkins and other Villa players celebrated their 2-1 win in front of the away fans.
Tottenham had fought back from a two-goal deficit, but the defeat marked their third consecutive home loss. Frank acknowledged his team’s struggles, but emphasized the importance of maintaining discipline.
The FA Cup exit adds to Frank’s woes, with his side facing criticism for their performances. Captain Cristian Romero’s suspension for acting improperly after his red card against Liverpool has also raised concerns.
Frank dismissed suggestions that his team has a discipline problem, attributing the incidents to passion and competitiveness. He praised his players for giving everything, but acknowledged that they need to stay focused.
The defeat also saw Richarlison pulled up with a hamstring injury, which Frank attributed to the demanding schedule over the Christmas and New Year period. He called for the football authorities to review the fixture list.
