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Player ratings and report from Aston Villa’s pivotal 2-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur.
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Aston Villa’s Champions League charge will go down to the final day after a professional 2-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur on Friday night.
Unai Emery’s 100th Premier League match in charge of Villa will go down as a pivotal one as the Villans, albeit a little unconvincing for large stretches of the encounter, nudged past a second-string Spurs side at Villa Park. Ezri Konsa’s composed 59th-minute opener and Boubacar Kamara’s first-ever Premier League goal were enough to earn a vital three points, temporarily edging Villa into the top five.
When the team sheets came out and Spurs named captain Heung-min Son alongside fringe players and youth prospects, many expected Villa to cruise to victory. That was far from the reality, however, at least in the first half, as Tottenham were difficult to break and looked a consistent threat on the transition. Emery’s men had to battle hard for every duel and the tension was palpable heading into the interval.
Before Konsa’s decisive opener roared Villa Park into life, you could cut the atmosphere with a knife. The first 45 minutes were tense and cagey; Villa had their fair share of half chances but there was a lack of conviction. Emery often reminded his players to remain calm with assurance the goal would eventually come, but there was genuine doubt in all four corners of the ground that the big moment wouldn’t arrive.
But it did. And Villa’s number four displayed incredible composure under the greatest pressure. Captain super John McGinn whipped in a peach of an outswinging corner and Ollie Watkins nodded it back into the danger area, Konsa volleying delicately through the legs of Yves Bissouma, finding the bottom left-hand corner.
Kamara then made sure of the points as he made it 2-0, striking with fury on his weaker left foot to find the net. Morgan Rogers laid the ball off to Kamara and he was afforded acres of space on the edge of the area, invited to have a pop. That he did as he breathed a huge sigh of relief into the Villa Park faithful.
Spurs, resigned to defeat, hardly threatened in the closing stages as Villa held on. Here’s how the players rated out of 10.
Aston Villa player ratings vs Spurs
Emiliano Martinez - Preserved another clean sheet and it was fairly comfortable as he only had to make one save, denying Odobert. That’s now just four goals conceded in his last nine Premier League outings. 7
Matty Cash - Struggled to deal with Son’s pace on the transition in the first half and let the South Korean inside too easily once or twice. Received a silly yellow card for asking Peter Bankes to book Odobert, too. Improved in the second half to help Villa see out the clean sheet, though, and linked up strongly with Asensio. 6
Ezri Konsa - Scored the priceless opener, his third goal of the season in all competitions. Hardly put a foot wrong defensively, too, putting in several important tackles to stop Spurs on the transition. Perhaps should’ve controlled his emotions better when he had an argy-bargy with Tel, but that was soon forgotten. 8
Pau Torres - Displayed a great improvement, especially in possession. Swung in a great cross for Watkins early on and played some inch-perfect forward passes through tiny gaps. Still managed to find himself out of position at times, but got away with it on this occasion. 7
Ian Maatsen - Enjoyed a good battle with Moore and Spence, often coming out on top with his close ball control. Tracked back brilliantly to stop Tel on a dangerous counter attack at the start of the second half. Whipped in a few dangerous low crosses. 7
Boubacar Kamara - Bossed the midfield once again, winning his fair share of duels. Stood out when it turned edgy, calming things down with composed passing under pressure; Spurs couldn’t get near him in those moments. Capped off his fine display with his first-ever goal in this division – and it was a cracker. Bravo. 9*
Amadou Onana (off 88’) - Broke up the play brilliantly alongside Kamara, hardly giving Spurs any space to work with. Gave away the odd sloppy foul here and there but Emery won’t mind as he showed great determination to win back possession whenever Villa lost it. 8
John McGinn (off 90’) - Pressed relentlessly, on Spurs like a rash whenever they showed any sign of weakness. Whipped in the free-kick that Konsa headed on target in the first half and fizzed a powerful shot just over the bar. Delivered the corner that led to Konsa’s goal. 8
Morgan Rogers - Notched the assist for Kamara’s goal, albeit only with a simple pass. Not quite as involved as usual but still proved to be a handful for defenders. 7
Marco Asensio - Showed flashes of his immense quality. Played a brilliant through ball to Watkins, attempted an ambitious backheeled volley and fizzed a long shot narrowly wide, all in the first half. Then had the odd skillful moment in the second. 7
Ollie Watkins (off 86’) - Didn’t get on the scoresheet but got the assist for Konsa’s opener. Held up the ball brilliantly when required and got Gray in the book with one textbook example. Got in some great positions to see an early sighter saved and went close with a similar effort in the second period. 8