Tottenham Player Ratings: Fast Start, Soft Centre Against Aston Villa
Tottenham flew out of the blocks, then vanished. A bright, front-foot opening dissolved into another flat, frustrating home defeat, the early intensity swallowed by Aston Villa’s control and clinical edge.
Here’s how the Spurs XI and substitutes rated on a bruising afternoon.
Tottenham
Antonin Kinsky 6
Alert early on, getting down sharply to push away Nicolas Jackson’s effort and then producing a better stop to deny Emi Buendia. Once Villa found their range, he was exposed rather than at fault. Little chance with any of the goals.
Pedro Porro 6
Back in the side after missing the draws with Nottingham Forest and Everton and immediately gave Spurs thrust down the right. Then it was over. Pulled up after 18 minutes and limped off, his return cut short just as he had started to influence the game.
Jan Paul van Hecke 6
Relished the physical duel with Jackson for long spells and looked in control when Villa broke sporadically. One lapse told the story, though: beaten in the air by Johan Manzambi for the opener. Redeemed himself slightly with a late consolation goal.
Micky van de Ven 5
An awkward afternoon. Took a blow to the face just before half-time and was off the pitch receiving treatment when Villa struck, a moment that captured Spurs’ misfortune and disorganisation. Never truly settled after that interruption.
Andrew Robertson 5
His misjudged attempt to keep the ball in play opened the door for Villa’s first goal, John McGinn pouncing on the mistake in the build-up. Thought he had made amends when involved in Mohammed Kudus’ disallowed effort, only for the offside flag to drag him back.
Sandro Tonali 5
One fierce first-half drive whistled just wide, but that was as close as he came to justifying his price tag. For a £100m midfielder, this was another subdued outing, unable to grab the game or dictate the tempo as Spurs faded.
Rodrigo Bentancur 5
Thrived early in the scrap of a crowded midfield, snapping into challenges and using the ball neatly. As Villa took control, his influence drained away. By the time he was withdrawn late on, the contest had passed him by.
Savio 5
Should have set the tone. Spurned a huge early chance and then saw a superb volley beaten away by Zion Suzuki. For 25 minutes he was electric, stretching Villa and finding space. Once those openings dried up, so did his impact.
Mateus Fernandes 6
Hooked at half-time as Tottenham chased the game. The former West Ham midfielder was more a victim of circumstance than performance. Kept things tidy but didn’t offer the incisive pass or drive Ange Postecoglou needed.
Omar Marmoush 5
Brought in on loan from Manchester City to add goals and menace. Offered neither once the tide turned. As Villa stepped higher and Spurs lost their structure, Marmoush drifted out of the game and never threatened to change it.
Dominic Solanke 5
The drought goes on. Without a Premier League goal since March and never really looked like ending that run here. Worked the channels, battled with centre-backs, but lacked a decisive touch and rarely found himself on the end of anything clear.
Substitutes
Archie Gray (on 18, Porro) 6
Almost a dream introduction, denied by Suzuki with his first touch. That early surge promised much, but his influence faded as Spurs’ attacks became ragged and predictable.
Mohammed Kudus (on 46, Fernandes) 5
Sent on to inject spark and direct running. Thought he had done exactly that with a goal, only for it to be ruled out. Beyond that moment, struggled to prise open Villa’s increasingly assured back line.
James Maddison (on 66, Solanke) 5
Introduced to find the killer pass or moment of craft. It never came. Saw plenty of the ball in front of Villa’s defence but could not unpick the lock or change the rhythm.
Lucas Bergvall (on 84, Bentancur) – N/A
Too late to influence the pattern or the scoreline.
Conor Gallagher (on 84, Tonali) – N/A
Did at least offer drive from midfield and grabbed a late consolation, his second goal in as many games, but the contest was long gone.
Unused: Dubravka, Tosin, Senesi, Udogie.
Aston Villa
Villa survived the early storm, then slowly, methodically, took Spurs apart. The visitors grew into the game, their big players stepping up as the hosts lost shape and belief.
Zion Suzuki 8
Outstanding. Kept Villa level when Tottenham were rampant, tipping away Savio’s volley and standing tall to block Archie Gray. Commanded his box and radiated calm, even if his usually slick distribution was off-key at times.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka 5
Still wrestling with Unai Emery’s demands. Looked uncertain when building from the back and one slip almost gifted Spurs a goal. Withdrawn at the break as Villa sought greater assurance on that flank.
Tyrone Mings 6
Ragged in the first half, repeatedly coughing up possession as Villa tried to play through Tottenham’s press. Found his composure after the interval, winning his duels and helping shut down any late threat.
Victor Lindelof 7
Alert and aggressive when Spurs swarmed forward early on, making key interventions. Once the home side’s intensity dipped, he cruised through the second half with minimal fuss.
Matteo Ruggeri 6
On his full Premier League debut, he looked like a player still learning Emery’s exacting system. Some shaky moments but stuck to his task and did enough defensively as Villa tightened up.
Joao Gomes 7
Back in league action after his opening-weekend red card and made up for lost time. Snapped into tackles, shielded the back four and snuffed out counters, especially once Villa went ahead.
Boubacar Kamara 7
The metronome. His shot led to Manzambi’s opener, the rebound falling kindly in the box. Kept Villa ticking, always available, always moving the ball with purpose.
John McGinn 7
Everywhere. His relentless pressing forced Robertson’s error in the build-up to the first goal. Drove Villa on, harried Spurs’ midfield and set the tone for their second-half dominance.
Emi Buendia 7
Loves this ground, loves this fixture. Curled a stunning strike into the top corner from 25 yards to kill the game, the pick of the goals. Buzzed between the lines and constantly asked questions of a tiring defence.
Johan Manzambi 8
What a full debut. Started slowly as Spurs swarmed all over Villa, then exploded into life. Reacted quickest to Kamara’s effort to open the scoring and later turned provider with an assist. Once he settled, he looked a real problem. Expectations will rise from here.
Nicolas Jackson 7
Fed on scraps early, isolated and chasing lost causes. Stayed sharp, though, and forced Kinsky into a smart save before finally getting his goal after the break. A nuisance throughout the second half.
Substitutes
Matty Cash (on 46, Wan-Bissaka) 7
Back from injury and immediately solidified Villa’s right side. More secure defensively, offered an outlet going forward and helped slam the door on Spurs’ wide threats.
George Hemmings (on 72, Manzambi) 6
Slotted in without fuss, helped manage the game and protect a lead that never looked under serious threat.
Ibrahim Mbaye (on 84, Kamara) – N/A
Came on to see it out as Villa stroked the ball around and ran down the clock.
Ross Barkley (on 84, McGinn) – N/A
A late cameo, keeping possession and ensuring there was no late twist.
Unused: Wright, Bogarde, Abraham, Garnacho, Harwood-Bellis.
Villa walked away with the points, the statement goals and the sense of a side quietly gathering momentum. Spurs were left with regrets, another home defeat, and a growing question: where does this stuttering project turn next?
