Once again impressive in the early stages – just like against Newcastle, Everton and Liverpool in midweek – we somehow didn’t open the scoring and were later punished as Villa came back into the game.
Villa goalkeeper Zion Suzuki proved the difference when we were on top with wonder saves from Dominic Solanke, Archie Gray and Savio. Solanke’s goal-bound header was blocked by Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
But then Villa opened the scoring just before half-time, Mo Kudus looked to have levelled only to be ruled out by VAR and then a quick one-two saw us 3-0 down with 11 minutes left. We managed to grab two goals back through Conor Gallagher and Jan Paul van Hecke, but it wasn’t enough.
Speaking to SPURSPLAY, Roberto reflected: It's difficult to describe this game, no? In the first half, we played very well, another time we created more chances. With Everton, for example, many, many chances.
“We conceded a goal with 10 players, but in that moment, we have to be stronger. We have to understand the situation. We have to be more compact, because in just one minute, I think we can play one player less. It's not a big problem.
“In the second half, after we scored in the offside, we conceded another unacceptable goal from a goal kick. The last situation was very clear. We knew before the game that Suzuki, the goalkeeper, is very good in the long ball. We knew Aston Villa changed their style of play this season with the long ball. We knew everything.
“It's tough to accept. It's tough to understand. It's tough to explain, because I've never seen one team able to play the same game in two different ways. In the first half, what do I have to say? I won many games creating less chances than we created today and not many times in my career have I conceded the goals we’re conceding.”