Tottenham Hotspur’s poor restart to the season continued with a 2-0 loss at home to Aston Villa, leading to howls of derision from home fans at the end of the match.
In a drab first half the only near goal was when Ashley Young dived to divert Harry Kane’s header away from the goal-line.
The opening goal came five minutes into the second half when Hugo Lloris failed to deal with Ezri Konsa’s long shot and Ollie Watkins pulled back for Emiliano Buendia to side-foot home.
The game was effectively decided 17 minutes from time when John McGinn found Douglas Luiz in the box and he smartly controlled before poking the ball home with the outside of his right foot.
Spurs remain fifth in the table, while Villa are in 12th after a run of four wins and a draw from their last six league games.
TALKING POINT
Gil’s troubles expose Spurs’ weakness – This could well be Bryan Gil’s first and last league start for Tottenham Hotspur. It is clear he is not best suited to the Premier League but this seems exacerbated by trying to fit into this Spurs side. He was constantly looking for the ball in tiny pockets of space around the penalty area, but his team-mates were either not capable of, or not willing, to play accurate passes into his feet. You will not find a Spurs fan who is enjoying life under Antonio Conte, as despite possessing some of the best attacking talent in the division he has his side playing some of the poorest football in it.
PLAYER OF THE MATCH
Douglas Luiz (Aston Villa): Fittingly on the matchday where Pele was remembered it is a Brazilian who was the best player on the field. In the second half, especially when it seemed like Unai Emery gave his players the freedom to attack Spurs, he and Emiliano Buendia in particular shone. He displayed a number of silky touches around the box, none better than his delightful flick, after an immaculate first touch, which sealed the game.
PLAYER RATINGS
Tottenham: Lloris 5; Romero 5, Lenglet 6, Davies 5; Doherty 6, Hojbjerg 6, Bissouma 5, Perisic 6; Bryan 6, Son 6, Kane 6.
Subs: Sessegnon 6, Sarr 6, Royal 6, Skipp 6, Spence 6.
Aston Villa: Olsen 7; Young 7, Konsa 6, Mings 6, Digne 6; McGinn 7, Douglas Luiz 8*, Kamara 7, Buendia 8; Watkins 7, Bailey 6.
Subs: Cash 6, Coutinho 6, Chambers 6, Ings 6, Bednarek 6.
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
40′ YOUNG CLEARS OFF THE LINE! Perisic was found by Lenglet through the middle and he pushed the ball wide of the keeper before crossing for Kane, whose header was going in if not for Young’s diving headed clearance on the line.
50′ GOAL FOR VILLA! Lloris should have done better to parry a long-range shot from Kamara into the path of Watkins and he then coolly laid the ball back to Buendia who side-footed home.
73′ GOAL FOR VILLA! A fantastic ball for McGinn finds Douglas Luiz’s run in the penalty area and the Brazilian controls first time and then pokes home with the outside of his right foot.
