Ange Postecoglou knows what he is doing – that’s for sure after today’s match and a 4-1 victory over Aston Villa! Tottenham were a better team from the start, but the Villans were in front at the break, mainly thanks to the Spurs’ lack of focus in front of Emiliano Martinez’s goal and, of course, Morgan Rogers’ opener.Still, the second half brought a different story as Brennan Johnson levelled early from Tottenham’s first attempt on target. Postecoglou made a risky move by subbing out Son only ten minutes after the break, but Dominic Solanke’s brace prevented the eventual punishment. England international netted twice in the span of only four minutes (75th and 79th) and, with his first brace of the season, brought Tottenham a significant triumph. The sub, James Maddison, made it 4-1 with a free-kick beauty in the dying minutes.4 – Dominic Solanke has scored more Premier League goals against Unai Emery’s Aston Villa than any other player (4), netting four times in four such appearances against them. Nemesis. pic.twitter.com/3vKb8lASkM— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) November 3, 2024 The Spurs took control early in the game, but their domination was quite futile. Most of their attacks went through the right flank and Brennan Johnson, while Dejan Kulusevski was there to support him. Destiny Udogie on the left wing was also active, but as many as six attempts in the initial 30 minutes brought nothing to Tottenham since none of them went on target.Aston Villa’s Colombian superhero – Super SubAston Villa, on the other hand, defended skillfully, waiting for their chance to threaten and awaited one at the half-hour mark. Two corner kicks in a row brought as many massive opportunities to the Villans. The first one was wasted, as Amadou Onana’s header hit the post, but only a minute later, there was no room for error since Morgan Rogers used the confusion in the opponents’ box and Guglielmo Vicario’s sloppy reaction to smash the ball into the empty net, making it 1-0!Ten minutes after the opener, Villa had a chance to knock down the Spurs completely, but Ollie Watkins’ effort after a quick counterattack went far wide off the post. Ultimately, Tottenham’s game control and possession did not produce any colossal chance, as two of Rodrigo Bentancur’s long-range strikes were the closest the Spurs were to scoring, and the Villans were in front at the break.12 – Spurs have conceded the opening goal of a Premier League home game on 12 occasions in 2024; the most of any team this year. Recurring. pic.twitter.com/4durzeGA0S— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) November 3, 2024 Three minutes into the second half, Tottenham finally managed to note an attempt on target (on their ninth try), and it immediately brought the equalizer! The captain Son Heung-min’s run over the left wing ended in an ideal cross, which Johnson sent home, making it 1-1! Dominic Solanke could have completed the Spurs blitzkrieg comeback only minutes later, but Emiliano Martinez stopped his shot from the edge of the box.To the entire stadium’s reaction, after only ten minutes in the second half, Ange Postecoglou decided to sub out Son and replace him with Richarlison. Even though the Korean did not react, he was obviously stunned by his boss’ choice. Still, the Australian strategist was not punished for his odd decision, thanks to Kulusevski’s timely pass and Solanke’s ruthless execution in the 75th minute for Tottenham’s complete comeback – 2-1!Only four minutes later, the Spurs used Villa’s chase of a leveller, snatched the ball in the midfield and launched a hasty fastbreak through Pape Matar Sarr. Richarlison repaid Postecoglou for his trust with an assist, and Solanke completed his first brace of the season for – 3-1! The most beautiful moment of the game occurred in the added time, when James Maddison sent home a free-kick screamer, confirming his team’s convincing triumph – 4-1!Dominic Solanke 2nd goal against Aston Villa…. #TOTAST pic.twitter.com/k9A6jGV4V9— Isaac (@AFCIsaac18) November 3, 2024 Truth be told, the Spurs were better from the beginning and failed to break the deadlock only due to a lack of concentration in front of Martinez’s goal. Once their attempts became more precise, Aston Villa could not avoid a defeat. Tottenham are now sixth, two points behind today’s rivals, which failed to use a chance to overtake the third spot from Nottingham Forest. Now both sides can start preparations for the European challenges – Tottenham travel to Istanbul to face Galatasaray in the UEFA Conference League, while the Villans play Club Brugge in Belgium, trying to keep the perfect score in the Champions League.ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE – MATCHDAY 10SaturdayNewcastle – Arsenal 1-0 (1-0)/Isak 12/Bournemouth – Manchester City 2-1 (1-0)/Semenyo 9, Evanilson 64 – Gvardiol /Ipswich – Leicester City 1-1 (0-0)/Davis 55 – Ayew 90+4/Liverpool – Brighton 2-1 (0-1)/Gakpo 69, Salah 72 – Kadioglu 14/Nott. Forest – West Ham 3-0 (1-0)/Wood 27, Huddson-Odoi 65, Aina 78/Southampton – Everton 1-0 (0-0)/Armstrong 85/Wolverhampton – Crystal Palace 2-2 (0-0)/Larsen 67, Gomes 72 – Chalobah 60, Guehi 77/Sunday Tottenham – Aston Villa 4-1 (0-1)/Johnson 49, Solanke 75, 79, Maddison 90+6 – Rogers 32/19.30: (2.70) Man.Utd. (3.40) Chelsea (2.60)***odds are subject to change***
