Tottenham vs Aston Villa a few quick thoughts
Dan Tracey
January 9, 2017
2,474 Views
- It may not have been the most scintillating football you would have seen over the course of weekend
- But Tottenham are through to the 4th Round of the cup thanks to two second half goals
- They were certainly made to work for their win though as Aston Villa did not perhaps give the home side a fright but they difficult to break down
- How much of that was down to the fact that Villa played almost a back 6 or Tottenham making 9 changes from their win against Chelsea can be argued
- But one thing we can agree on is that Mauricio Pochettino’s fringe players lacked spark in the first 45 minutes
- A spell in which they failed to even register a shot on target
- Just a solitary wayward effort to their name with Villa not faring that much better as they produced the only shot on target before the break
- How much of that lack of spark and attacking endeavour was down to another abject performance from Vincent Janssen will be scrutinised
- But that you would have to say that it was no coincidence that Spurs looked livelier once in the form Dele Alli replaced him halfway through the second half
- And it was to be substitutions that ultimately turned the tide of the game
- Firstly Alli have Spurs a much needed boost in the final third but it was a tactical change that finally have us the breakthrough
- Toby Alderweireld was bought off for George Kevin N’Koudou
- Thankfully though the former Marseille man was not playing centre back
- It was his cross almost immediately after entering the field of play which found the unlikely target of Ben Davies
- And the Welshman placed a well positioned header past Sam Johnstone to put Spurs ahead
- A palpable relief was now around White Hart Lane
- At that point Spurs had their tails up and with Villa now out of ideas there was only going to be one side that was going to score
- And shortly before the end the win was secure as Moussa Sissoko drove into the box and laid the ball on a plate for Heung min-Son
- The South Korean was guilty of missing chances earlier in the half but he was not going to turn down this opportunity
- Spurs doubled their lead as the ground began to empty as fans left safe in the knowledge that their side are in Tonight’s 4th Round Draw
- In hindsight perhaps a back three was not necessary yesterday but credit must go to Pochettino for the changes he made
- Villa must get credit for the job in the first half but as the game went on it was apparent that they never came to North London to win
- Frustrating if you were a Villa fan as they never had a go after the break especially with Spurs getting more frustrated
- Kieran Trippier was a constant menace on the right and was well worthy of his Man Of The Match award
- The hope now is that once again it’s a home draw as the fixtures at White Hart Lane are quickly running out
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