Tottenham Hotspur beat Aston Villa 4-1 in the Premier League
Tottenham Hotspur earned their fifth Premier League win of the season as an incredible performance against Aston Villa saw them claim all three points on home soil. Unai Emery’s side was comfortably outplayed after a spirited second-half display by the hosts, who moved to seventh in the league standings following their successful result.
Chris Rogers opened the scoring for the Clarets in the first period to send his side into the break with a 1-0 lead. It was all Spurs in the second half as Brennan Johnson scored within four minutes of the restart to draw level. Dominic Solanke struck twice in quick succession to put Tottenham in a commanding position before James Maddison sealed the deal with a fabulous free-kick.
Spurs are up against Galatasaray next in the Conference League but before their trip to Istanbul, here is a look at the three talking points from their latest win in the Premier League.
Solanke fires Spurs to three points
Tottenham Hotspur’s marksman-in-chief, Dominic Solanke, was not at all on top of his game from the start of the match. However, he delivered when it mattered most, as the former Bournemouth star’s brace helped the team go from 1-1 to 3-1 in a space of four minutes. His first goal was a beautiful chip over Emiliano Martinez, and the second was a neat left-footed finish from close range off an unselfish pass from Richarlison.
The double against Aston Villa on Sunday took his goal tally to five for the season in all competitions. Admittedly, it has been a slow start to the season for the English international but it is still very much possible for him to match last season’s numbers which he produced at Bournemouth. As far as the team’s most recent clash goes, it was an outing to remember for Solanke in front of his own supporters.
Son’s case is handled with precaution
Son Heung-min started against Aston Villa and provided the assist which helped Tottenham draw level in the second half. The South Korean international was taken off in the 56th minute and had a somewhat annoyed reaction at his substitution, which Ange Postecoglou was quick to brush off in his post-match press conference. Nevertheless, Tottenham are visibly exercising caution with Son as they rightly should given that muscular injuries can aggravate in next to no time.
On the positive side, the team proved yet again that there is enough in them to beat a top side without their captain. Son’s absence was nowhere to be noticed, as Richarlison was impactful off the bench while the rest of the midfielders also took responsibility in the creative department. It will be interesting to see when exactly the 32-year-old is provided with a full game, which could very possibly happen in the Conference League against Galatasaray.
Tottenham’s pressing pays off
Tottenham Hotspur relentlessly pressed Aston Villa when they were without the ball as Unai Emery’s men tried to play out from the back. Ange Postecoglou’s side is very disciplined on the ball and in spite of being put up against a side that bypasses pressure well, they ensured that their defensive shape is not ruined. As a matter of fact, two of Tottenham’s goals came due to Aston Villa’s defenders being pressurised which clearly signifies the success of Postecoglou’s game plan.
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One of the best aspects of this Tottenham side is that they can adapt to several various defensive tactics dependent on the opposition. Ange Postecoglou has the brain to deploy a low block, high line or press constantly, which has given Tottenham a firm foundation at the back. Luckily for him, the players also have good chemistry amongst themselves. It will be interesting to see if indeed defence can win them titles come the end of the campaign.
