Rodrigo Bentancur was phenomenal for Tottenham Hotspur against Aston Villa.
Neither Thomas Frank nor Igor Tudor covered themselves in glory throughout their time in North London, though injuries certainly played their part, just as they did under Ange Postecoglou.
Both managers had a barebones squad to work with, while Roberto De Zerbi is slowly being boosted by the return of several key players.
Bentancur is one of those to have returned to the squad since the Italian arrived at Spurs, and that has paid off massively.
And after Tottenham’s win over Aston Villa, he showcased why he has the ability in himself to boost Spurs’ survival chances.
MORE SPURS STORIES
🏟️ TOTTENHAM MATCHDAY HUB 🏟️
Line-ups, predicted XIs, player ratings, tactical verdicts, match analysis, and live Spurs form guides.
Get 24/7 updates from your definitive Lilywhites source
Rodrigo Bentancur flawless vs Aston Villa
Bentancur has always had a reputation for being Tottenham’s best midfielder, and his absence has certainly been felt.
His initial return to the team brought very little success, but his performance against the Villans showed that he was back to his best.
The 28-year-old completed 42 of his 43 attempted passes, as well as completing two of his three attempted dribbles.
But Bentancur offers plenty off the ball as well, as showcased by his eight defensive contributions, including two tackles.
The Uruguay international won 67 per cent of his ground duels in the game, while also ensuring that no one dribbled past him on the day.
It was the perfect all-round display from Bentancur, who showed why he is so important to Tottenham’s chances of survival.
Archie Gray an unfortunate sacrifice at Spurs
Archie Gray will find it hard to get much gametime between now and the end of the season, though that is more of a showing on the predicament as opposed to his own ability.
Prior to De Zerbi’s arrival, the former Leeds star was one of the only players impressing, but the Italian’s slight tactical tweaks have seen him demoted to the bench.
It means little in terms of his long-term future, with De Zerbi almost certain to integrate him back into the team, but for the time being, he may have to settle for a spot on the bench.
Don’t Miss a Beat: Your Tottenham Hotspur News Access
Get the full story from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and Hotspur Way with our dedicated expert hubs:
Updated 24/7 with expert analysis from N17 and Hotspur Way.