Son Shines on Home Turf as Steadied Spurs Overcome Villa

Sunday 3rd October 2021

Match Report

Tottenham Hotspur 2 – 1 Aston Villa

Venue: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London

Competition: English Premier League

After three consecutive Premier League losses Spurs bounced back with a much needed win against Aston Villa inside a Tottenham Hotspur Stadium hosting over 50,000 supporters. The victory sends Spurs into eighth in the table, as we head into another International break.

Summer signing Emerson Royal was handed another start at right back, and so too was Cristian Romero who paired up alongside Dier in central defence. No surprises as Reguilón completed the back four.

Oliver Skipp was rewarded with the start he deserved following his strong performances of late. He was joined in midfield with Højbjerg and Ndombele who both had points to prove following the drastically disappointing defeat at Arsenal last weekend. Dele was dropped to the bench.

In attack was the trio that came off the bench to find a trio of goals against NS Mura in the week – Son and Moura the providers, and Harry Kane the man who put them away.

So, after a shocking September, will it be an ok October for Nuno, or could he find himself jobless by the end of it?

10' The crowd were in good voice as a cagey first ten minutes unfolded in front of them. It was frantic, with rushed passes due to quick closing down in all areas by both sides. Neither able to settle into a sustained spell of possession.

It was good to see the Spurs players looking much more up for it than they did against Arsenal. All of them were hungry for the ball, creating options by darting into space, showing short sharp touches and throwing themselves into challenges.

Ndombele was the only noticeable slow starter, as despite looking keen, he kept on losing possession. Playing in that more advanced position in midfield, it seemed as if he needed to calm down and stop rushing his passes.

Though it did seem that Spurs were under instruction to hurry it forward in the early stages as Hugo Lloris demonstrated when he barely allowed the ball to touch his gloves before kicking it long up towards Kane.

23' Ndombele did then try to slow things down in the middle of the park but he was wrestled to the ground in the centre circle, the ref blew for the free-kick and Kane, without even breaking stride instinctively lofted the ball towards the Villa net having spotted Martinez off his line. It was a worthy effort, but the keeper recovered in time to make the save. It would have been a special goal had he found the net.

Spurs began to take a hold of the game and Son's electrifying pace was causing Villa problems down the left side. It didn't take long for him to creep inside and find a gap to pop a shot through at goal, but it was just wide of the mark. There was a growing sense that a Spurs goal was on it's way.

26' Then it arrived – Højbjerg broke onto a loose ball on the half way line. Son sprinted up ahead of him. Højbjerg slotted it forward to him as he drew level with the Villa backline. Onside, Son took it in his stride and charged forward with it, testing the defender's pace. When he reached the top left corner of the penalty area he spotted Højbjerg who'd continued his run in support. Son picked him out in the D of the area with a peach of a pass. Højbjerg took a touch with his left to set himself before stroking it home into the bottom right corner. A beautifully shaped finish from Højbjerg, and the perfect response to the criticism he undertook following his performance in the derby. 1-0 Spurs.

36' Skipp rather harshly yellow carded following a fractionally mistimed slide tackle out wide. Visibly disappointed with the referee's verdict as he would have to be extra careful for the remainder of the match when going into those sliding challenges he's often so effective with.

38' Promising work from Royal – Targett beat the offside trap to sneak in behind him and break into the area. Royal showed quick acceleration as he turned to recover, and cool composure too as he muscled his way in front of the attacker who'd driven into a dangerous position in front of goal before Royal poked the ball out from his feet for a corner.

As Villa pushed for an equaliser Romero looked solid – calm and collected in his play. Not letting anything past, strong in his standing tackles and not giving Ings any space. Dier was having a good game alongside him too.

"Thoughts at Half Time – Spurs have provided the reaction fans would have wanted to see following the abysmal display against arch-rivals Arsenal last weekend. They've looked better co-ordinated, showed more desire, and have been sharper all round. You could see a goal coming and it was an excellent one from Højbjerg when it arrived. Villa were threatening to equalise before the break, but Spurs have kept it tight at the back so far. 1-0 at half time, and Spurs will be hoping for more of the same in the second half to clinch a much needed three points."

47' Ings picked out on the edge of the six yard box with his back to goal. He tapped the bouncing ball up over his shoulder to swivel onto and strike at goal but Skipp intervened by jumping in and bicycle kicking the ball out from in front of him. Top draw defending from the youngster. The clearance fell to a Villa player on the edge who floated it over to McGinn on the left side of the six yard box. From a tight angle he blasted a shot at goal but Romero was there to block with his body down low.

That could have been a hugely disappointing start to the second half for Spurs. Nuno has tended to struggle with his half time team talks so far, as we've often seen them come out worse after the break this season.

51' A delightful flick from Son saw Ndombele breaking away down the left side. His poor first touch knocked it too far in front though and a lack of pace allowed the defender to get across and recover with relative ease.

Royal then found himself out wide on the other side – He showed good footwork to beat a Villa defender and get close to the by-line before chipping in a cross to Son who sent it back across goal with a well connected volley, but it was too high and over the top.

55' Son had another spin on the ball and shot following a Spurs counter attack. This time it was from off the ground and outside the area but again it was over the bar.

56' Son came close again! Højbjerg won the ball and played in Kane down the right side of the box. He squared it across to Son who met it while bursting in at pace at the near post, but his first time effort was just wide of the right upright.

59' Son was looking a constant threat as he found himself in yet again – a long ball from Dier soared over the top, he used strength and pace to bustle his way by a Villa defender and work his way down the left side of the area. Reaching the corner of the six yard box he tried to slot one past the outrushing Martinez but he managed to save it with his feet deflecting it behind for a corner.

So many chances for Son in the space of five to ten minutes. Wouldn't say he was to blame for squandering them though, he was showing terrific grit and determination to create them for himself. Clearly hungry for a goal.

60' Ndombele then fancied one himself, he cut into the area from the right side and threw a neat step-over to create the angle for a shot, but Martinez got down to his right to make the save.

67' After all of Spurs' positive attacking play, Villa went up the other end and snatched an equaliser – A scrappy battle in central midfield resulted in Romero sliding in and wiping out Ramsey, the ref played the advantage as the ball fell to Ings, who went on to feed in Targett down the left side of the area, he drilled one across goal where it past Dier at the near post and Watkins was there behind him to meet it, his first time finish finding the bottom left corner from close range. 1-1.

Romero was yellow carded following the goal for his rash challenge in the build up. At least he tried to put an end to the threatening attack. Dier looked as if he could have slid in himself and prevented the ball from reaching Watkins following the cross. Though some would argue Romero was just as much to blame for diving in as it left him out of position.

71' A fantastic fast response from Spurs. Son at the heart of it again – Reguilón slid the ball down the left wing to set Son on his way. A quick turn of pace saw him race by a Villa defender before laying it across goal where Lucas met it to tap into an open net. 2-1.

A much needed goal for Spurs, who for a moment looked like they'd be left to rue those missed chances following Villa's equaliser. They were back in front and you could see how much it meant to the team with their fired-up celebrations in front of the crowd in the corner.

The goal was later deemed an own goal – the last touch coming off the bottom of Targett's boot as he slid in to tackle Moura on the goal line.

76' Ndombele made way for Lo Celso, who some would say was unlucky not to start after his positive performance in midweek.

78' Ings received the ball on the edge of the area, turned his back to goal, jerked to his right to get a shot away to the side of Skipp, but Lloris was there to make a diving save and did well to keep hold of it too.

82' Son picked out Lo Celso who tried to bend it toward the far post but it drifted wide.

84' Royal broke forward following a pass from Moura. Tried to lay a cross into the path of Kane but it was a touch too far in front of him and the Villa keeper gathered it up. Spurs were pressing for a precious third.

86' Spurs broke forward again – Son ran through the centre of the pitch at pace before tapping a short pass into Kane who'd made a run across him, Kane played a majestic first time back-heel out to Lo Celso on the left side of the area, who's placed finish, or maybe even pass back to Kane, was turned behind by a recovering Mings.

87' A big long boot upfield from Lloris found Kane onside and in behind the Villa defence, one on one with the keeper. His first touch with his body wasn't the best and ran it in close to the keeper who stood firm and saved Kane's slotted finish with an outstretched foot. The rebound fell back to him for a second bite of the cherry and he attempted a cheeky chip on the keeper from a tight angle, but Martinez jumped to clutch it out of the air.

89' Moura departed for Bryan Gil.

92' Son danced around three Villa defenders in their own penalty area, clearly frustrating them as one eventually barged him down to the ground out by the corner flag. Spurs free kick by the Villa by-line in stoppage time. Perfect. Summed up a sublime Son performance. He deserved a goal.

The ref brought a close to the game, and it was a much needed three points for Nuno's Spurs going into another International break. Fans will be encouraged by what they saw from their team today. We created plenty of chances and should really have won by more than just the one goal. Thankfully we were tight enough at the back to prevent a second equaliser. Next up is a trip to Newcastle, and we'll be hoping this performance kicks us into a bit of form to boost us further up the table.

Tottenham Player Ratings

• 1. Hugo Lloris – 7 – Was snappy with his distribution. Seeing Kane in on goal on one occasion. Made a few decent stops and not much he could do for the goal from close range at his near post.

• 12. Emerson Royal – 7 – Another promising display from our new right back. Being noticeably taller than his predecessor Aurier, he seems quicker, stronger and more composed in his tackling. Did some good work going forward too.

• 4. Cristian Romero – 8 – Starting to look like the solid centre back we've been crying out for. One of those that makes it look easy as he's strong in his tackles, passing and positioning, all whilst looking relatively cool about it all.

• 15. Eric Dier – 7 – Also played well. Looked assured alongside Romero. Arguably could have done more to prevent the cross getting to Watkins at the near post for their equaliser.

• 3. Sergio Reguilón – 6 – A relatively quiet game for Reguilón. Didn't do much wrong and threaded a nice ball up the line for Son to run onto and assist Spurs' second.

• 5. Pierre-Emile Højbjerg – 8 – Brilliant performance from our Danish Viking. He was up for it today and went into everything whole heartedly, including his goal celebration. You could see it meant a lot to him. Looks more comfortable with Skipp beside him in midfield.

• 29. Oliver Skipp – 8 – Another statement from Skipp that he should be a nailed on starter. Does so well to break up play in midfield, constantly winning back possession and great at taking a touch, looking up, and picking out a pass. Not afraid to drive forward into space when it opens up for him either.

• 27. Lucas Moura – 7 – Another willing Moura performance full of running. Unfortunate that the winner went down as an own goal as he still made the difference by racing in there at the far post to be on the end of Son's cross.

• 28. Tanguy Ndombele – 6 – Another disappointing day for Ndombele. He looked fresh having been rested in midweek but he never really managed to get into his stride. Seemed to be trying to force the matter when he could have benefitted from a bit more composure.

• 7. Son Heung-min – 9 – Sensational performance from Sonny. You could see he'd gone out there to give his absolute all in front of the home support today. Full of running and terrorised the Villa defence throughout. He was unstoppable at times, and despite not getting himself on the scoresheet, he assisted both of Spurs' goals.

• 10. Harry Kane – 6 – Will be disappointed to have still not found his first League goal of the season, especially off the back of scoring a hat-trick in mid-week. Promising that he found himself with a few chances but concerning that he failed to put any of them away. Still played well in parts.

Substitutions:

• 28. Tanguy Ndombele <-- 76' --> 18. Giovani Lo Celso – 6 – Decent performance from Lo Celso in the last fifteen minutes.

• 27. Lucas Moura <-- 89' --> 11. Bryan Gil – N/A – On as a late substitute.

Man of the Match – 7. Son Heung-min