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Tottenham Hotspur beat Aston Villa 4-1 in the Premier League

Tottenham Hotspur earned their fifth Premier League win of the season as an incredible performance against Aston Villa saw them claim all three points on home soil. Unai Emery’s side was comfortably outplayed after a spirited second-half display by the hosts, who moved to seventh in the league standings following their successful result.

Chris Rogers opened the scoring for the Clarets in the first period to send his side into the break with a 1-0 lead. It was all Spurs in the second half as Brennan Johnson scored within four minutes of the restart to draw level. Dominic Solanke struck twice in quick succession to put Tottenham in a commanding position before James Maddison sealed the deal with a fabulous free-kick.

Spurs are up against Galatasaray next in the Conference League but before their trip to Istanbul, here is a look at the three talking points from their latest win in the Premier League.

Solanke fires Spurs to three points

Tottenham Hotspur’s marksman-in-chief, Dominic Solanke, was not at all on top of his game from the start of the match. However, he delivered when it mattered most, as the former Bournemouth star’s brace helped the team go from 1-1 to 3-1 in a space of four minutes. His first goal was a beautiful chip over Emiliano Martinez, and the second was a neat left-footed finish from close range off an unselfish pass from Richarlison.

The double against Aston Villa on Sunday took his goal tally to five for the season in all competitions. Admittedly, it has been a slow start to the season for the English international but it is still very much possible for him to match last season’s numbers which he produced at Bournemouth. As far as the team’s most recent clash goes, it was an outing to remember for Solanke in front of his own supporters.

Son’s case is handled with precaution

Son Heung-min started against Aston Villa and provided the assist which helped Tottenham draw level in the second half. The South Korean international was taken off in the 56th minute and had a somewhat annoyed reaction at his substitution, which Ange Postecoglou was quick to brush off in his post-match press conference. Nevertheless, Tottenham are visibly exercising caution with Son as they rightly should given that muscular injuries can aggravate in next to no time.

On the positive side, the team proved yet again that there is enough in them to beat a top side without their captain. Son’s absence was nowhere to be noticed, as Richarlison was impactful off the bench while the rest of the midfielders also took responsibility in the creative department. It will be interesting to see when exactly the 32-year-old is provided with a full game, which could very possibly happen in the Conference League against Galatasaray.

Tottenham’s pressing pays off

Tottenham Hotspur relentlessly pressed Aston Villa when they were without the ball as Unai Emery’s men tried to play out from the back. Ange Postecoglou’s side is very disciplined on the ball and in spite of being put up against a side that bypasses pressure well, they ensured that their defensive shape is not ruined. As a matter of fact, two of Tottenham’s goals came due to Aston Villa’s defenders being pressurised which clearly signifies the success of Postecoglou’s game plan.

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One of the best aspects of this Tottenham side is that they can adapt to several various defensive tactics dependent on the opposition. Ange Postecoglou has the brain to deploy a low block, high line or press constantly, which has given Tottenham a firm foundation at the back. Luckily for him, the players also have good chemistry amongst themselves. It will be interesting to see if indeed defence can win them titles come the end of the campaign.

Tottenham Hotspur have been looking to compound on their central defensive depth as Ange Postecoglou looks to add quality to the position going into the 2025 transfer intervals, and Nottingham Forest defender Murillo could be one of the players on the Lilywhites radar. The Brazilian has been impressive since his move to the English top tier, and this season he has built on his reputation as an excellent presence at the heart of defence.

The 22-year-old has been subject to links with a move away from his current employers, with multiple Premier League heavyweights including Arsenal and Spurs looking to secure his signatures. However, the Lilywhites London neighbours Chelsea have fortified interest in landing the defender, per Football Insider.

That being said, it will be difficult to force Nottingham Forest’s hand into a possible sale, as they will be holding out for a ‘huge fee’ for the defender who has established himself as one of the brightest central-defensive prospects in the Premier League. The fee quoted in the summer window walked a tone of £70m.

Will Spurs break the bank for Murillo?

Murillo is a modern progressive presence in the centre of the defence who thrives with the ball at his feet and possesses the ability to read the game well.

For Tottenham, while Murillo is a great prospect to have in the squad, it is to be seen whether Daniel Levy would sanction a transfer as hefty as this in the winter window. Moreover, Chelsea would be willing to offer high wages given how the West Londoners run financially.

-> Tight wage structure hindered Tottenham from signing England international who Postecoglou wanted

Do you think Spurs should go shoulder-to-shoulder with Chelsea to sign Murillo? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

Tottenham Hotspur defender Cristian Romero has been subject to massive criticism for his faulty performances donning the Lilywhites badge in the ongoing 2024/25 campaign, as the Argentine World Cup winner hasn’t been able to replicate his past performances this season.

Romero is an integral part of Ange Postecoglou‘s Spurs, and his candidacy as vice captain shows how important the former Atalanta defender is on the pitch and in the dressing room.

However, the 26-year-old has taken massive strides to his game since his move to North London and has been subject to links with a move away from Tottenham with Spanish giants Real Madrid interested in his signatures. There is something to do with the links with a move away and the focus that he has lost off late.

Romero reckless play could cost Spurs dearly

Romero was subject to an erratic moment in the North Londoners 4-1 win against Aston Villa at White Hart Lane on Sunday afternoon, where he ran into Morgan Rogers as the scores were still tied. He went on to hurt himself following his challenge with Manchester City Academy graduate, which ultimately led to him being substituted as Ben Davies came on in the middle of the park.

Former Brighton striker Glenn Murray was quick to criticise the 26-year-old for his challenge on BBC Radio 5 Live. Murray said:

“A typical Romero challenge. I don’t understand why he gets into those positions constantly. He erratically jumps in.”

The challenge has cost Tottenham another bed on the sidelines as the Argentine meets his central-defensive partner Micky van de Ven in the injury room, which leaves Tottenham thin at the back. And with his struggles complemented by a potential injury, the Lilywhites now find themselves in a risky situation as Ange Postecoglou looks to maintain his defensive solidity.

-> Tight wage structure hindered Tottenham from signing England international who Postecoglou wanted

Do you think Romero was wrong to fly into that challenge yesterday? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

Tottenham Hotspur enjoyed a splendid summer transfer window with the Lilywhites bagging on signing highly rated young players and developing them through the corridors of Hotspur Way, and in bid to compound on the quality at N17, Daniel Levy has already set the club in a stage to land Real Betis midfielder Johnny Cardoso.

The USNMT maestro has been subject to consistent links with a move away from Betis, with multiple clubs vying for his signatures. La Liga giants Atletico Madrid have been fortifying their interests to land the 23-year-old, per Estadio Deportivo; however, the report goes on to suggest Spurs being the ‘main one’ when it comes to competition to land his services.

Spurs poised to steal Cardoso

The Lilywhites already have an option to land the American international for a fee of around €25 million. Daniel Levy secured this option in the recently concluded summer transfer window when the North Londoners sold Giovani Lo Celso to Real Betis. Therefore, if Spurs are prepared to pay up for his signatures, then Ateltico Madrid wouldn’t have a chance of landing the player.

Ange Postecoglou needs depth in the middle of the park, and he could prove to be an exciting addition to his roster who can be a long-term solution to the midfield problems. Given that he is available on a cheap, it accelerates the possibility of signing the player without breaking the bank.

It will be interesting to follow his situation and see how it develops given the suitors interested in his signatures, complemented by the option that Daniel Levy holds.

-> Tight wage structure hindered Tottenham from signing England international who Postecoglou wanted

Would you take Johnny Cardoso to Tottenham next summer? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

Tottenham have enjoyed a strong run, winning eight out of their last 10 matches, remaining undefeated in the Europa League, and successfully reaching the Carabao Cup quarterfinals against Manchester United. While things seem to be on track for the club, challenges persist, particularly with their ongoing struggle for consistency. This has been a long-standing issue, with Juande Ramos being the last Tottenham manager to secure any silverware.

In the recent press conference ahead of Tottenham’s clash with Aston Villa, Ange Postecoglou addressed the immense expectations given to Tottenham Managers, highlighting the need for silverware keeps growing every year . His predecessors—Andre Villas-Boas, Tim Sherwood, and Antonio Conte—were all denied the opportunity for a second full season, while José Mourinho was sacked mere days before the 2021 Carabao Cup final against Manchester City, preventing him from potentially ending the club’s long trophy drought. Nuno Espírito Santo’s tenure was cut even shorter, as he was dismissed within four months.

Tottenham’s war with consistency

Ange Postecoglou’s inaugural season at Tottenham didn’t meet the sky-high expectations of Champions League qualification, as the club fell just two points short. Yet, the Australian remains optimistic, emphasizing that he has a track record of winning trophies in his second season. The challenges of managing a club with a 16-year trophy drought are immense, as high expectations and criticisms loom large. In such an environment, successes can easily be overshadowed by the relentless scrutiny that comes with leading Spurs.

“Even if we went on another fantastic run, at the first sign of us maybe faltering the same sort of questions would come because it is kind of where we are at as a club at the moment. Until we have success then I think that is always going to be the first thing people come at us about as a club and you have got to accept that”

Ange in the pre-match conference against Aston Villa via Youtube

In his recent conference, Ange Postecoglou highlighted that merely winning a trophy isn’t enough to make a significant statement; his ambition extends to conquering every competition Spurs enter. Such success, he believes, would reshape perceptions of Tottenham and mark a new era for the club.

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However, inconsistency remains a significant hurdle, with Spurs capable of triumphing over top teams like Manchester City one week, only to falter against lower-ranked sides the next. This unpredictable nature has earned them the moniker of the “Robin Hood” of the Premier League, illustrating the stark contrast in their performances. In Ange, we must believe as he sets out to be the harbinger of change for Tottenham.

Ahead of Tottenham’s clash against Aston Villa on 3rd November, the North London club sits in 10th place, having played nine Premier League games. While they have maintained a strong Europa record, star defender Cristian Romero has drawn significant interest from European giants. Both Real Madrid and Bayern Munich are eager to secure the Argentine’s signature, with Bayern especially keen on strengthening their defensive line with his talents.

Since making his permanent move from Atalanta in 2022, Cristian Romero has become an essential figure in Tottenham’s backline. Playing 109 games for the Lilywhites, he’s proven his value with consistently impressive defensive performances, showing exceptional tackling and tracking back abilities. His impact is recognised with a substantial weekly wage of £165,000, a reflection of his importance to the club as he is indeed the third highest earner in the club.

The Argentine remains uncertain about his future

Tottenham are reportedly keen to secure Cristian Romero on a lucrative new contract to fend off interest from top European clubs. Talks have been underway for some time, aiming to reassure the £100 million-rated defender about his future at the club. Meanwhile, according to TBR, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, and Inter Milan are all closely monitoring Romero’s situation, as the Argentine has privately expressed some concerns over staying long-term in north London.

Romero desires consistent Champions League football, a factor he’s shared with Tottenham as contract talks progress. This gap in European competition remains a key issue for him, complicating Spurs’ efforts to secure his commitment. Bayern Munich, unlike Tottenham, could offer Romero regular Champions League action, though it’s uncertain if the German giants would meet the £100 million valuation for the highly-rated centre-back.

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Romero’s future hangs in the middle as he weighs his desire for Champions League football against Tottenham’s contract offer. With top clubs circling, Spurs face a critical moment to secure their star defender’s loyalty or risk losing him to a top European competitor.

Tottenham youngster Ashley Phillips is starting to impress on loan at Stoke City

Tottenham Hotspur have a plethora of highly regarded young players in their ranks, and Daniel Levy and his team has been tasked with ensuring that all of the starlets take strides in their games during the season. One of the players starting to get some regular minutes for his loan side is Ashley Phillips.

Ashley Phillips, who arrived at Spurs from Blackburn Rovers in 2023, spent the second half of last season on loan at Plymouth Argyle. The youngster was one of Plymouth Argyle’s standout players, playing a key role in helping the club secure their Championship status.

The defender returned to the Hotspur Way in the summer and signed for Championship side Stoke City on a season-long loan in August. When he made the loan move to Stoke City, many at Spurs would have thus expected him to kick on and become a key player for the Potters. However, instead, Phillips has had a couple of months to forget, having barely gotten opportunities to impress.

Eventually, the on-loan Tottenham man’s wait for his first start under his new manager Narcís Pelach was over and he certainly made a case to stay in the starting XI. Under Pelach, Phillips made his first Championship start in the 2-0 defeat to Sheffield United. He started and scored in Stoke’s 3-2 fourth-round Carabao Cup defeat against Southampton at St Mary’s Stadium on Tuesday.

And on Saturday, the centre-back made his third start in a row, completing 90 minutes in the 2-1 home win over Derby County in the Championship. Phillips has had to be patient for his chances, and now as they are coming his way, he is ensuring to grab it with both hands.

John Wenham—the owner of the famous Spurs podcast Lilywhite Rose—has been delighted to see Phillips now getting regular game time for the Potters. He feels it is crucial for the teenager to continue playing regularly in the first team at the Championship club this season.

It is fantastic to see Phillips slowly make his way into Pelach’s starting XI at Stoke. The young defender from Manchester looks confident now and will want to continue this form, looking to complete a solid full season in the second tier of English football.

Beyond Micky van de Ven, Cristian Romero and Radu Dragusin, Tottenham don’t have pure central defensive options in the first team. This means the Lilywhites continue to proactively look for a young defender in the upcoming winter window, and Ange Postecoglou would be keen to have a look at what Phillips produces on his loan spell for Stoke.

-> Tight wage structure hindered Tottenham from signing England international who Postecoglou wanted

And if any opportunity for him to be included among the defensive unit at Hotspur Way would arise, our gaffer wouldn’t back off from it.

Tottenham want to land Irish teen sensation Mason Melia in 2025

Tottenham Hotspur were not afraid to splash the cash before the transfer window slammed shut in August, with Dominic Solanke becoming the most expensive acquisition in the club’s history thanks to him completing a £65million switch from Bournemouth.

Solanke has yet to live up to the immediate expectations of the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium faithful after arriving at the club amid a lot of fanfare. The England international was on fire for Bournemouth last season with 19 Premier League goals but he has struggled to showcase his potential at his new club, partly due to an ankle injury sustained during Spurs’ season opener at Leicester City.

While it is early days for Solanke in north London, boss Ange Postecoglou has wasted no time in seeking further recruits. Preparations are being made by Daniel Levy and Johan Lange for further opportunities to strengthen the squad in the coming months.

According to a report from TEAMtalk, Tottenham are in pole position to sign St Patrick’s Athletic striker Mason Melia.

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Regarded as one of the best young talents to emerge from Ireland, Mason Melia has caught the attention of several clubs with his impressive displays for St Patrick’s Athletic. He made his debut for the Irish club last season at the tender age of 15 and has gone on to play 50 times already for the senior team.

The teenage sensation has scored 10 goals in 54 appearances for St Patrick’s Athletic while netting nine times in 19 caps for the Republic of Ireland Under-17s. However, Melia, who is under contract at St Pats until 2026 (Transfermarkt), cannot secure a switch to the Premier League until he turns 18 next September due to Brexit rules.

The aforementioned report adds that the Lilywhites view Melia as a ‘potential star in the making’ and are keen to move ahead of their rivals—Manchester City, Chelsea and Manchester United—by upping their ante for the teenage striker as quickly as possible.

The Hotspur Way chiefs are focused on fortifying the youth system by acquiring hidden gems who they can eventually develop and promote in the first team. This saw the north Londoners spend a significant sum on bringing the likes of Archie Grey, Wilson Odobert and Lucas Bergvall to N17, and Spurs are looking to do the same by acquiring Melia’s signature.

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Melia, who has previously starred for the Republic of Ireland at the U-15, U-16, U-17 and U-19 level, is a prodigious talent who Ange Postecoglou and his coaching staff can nurture into a superstar. By signing the 17-year-old striker next year, Spurs can further strengthen the pool of young talents at Big Ange’s disposal.

Tottenham winger Manor Solomon has not managed to make an impact on loan at Leeds United

Tottenham Hotspur farmed Manor Solomon out on a season-long loan to Championship side Leeds United in August.

A serious knee injury limited the Israel winger to just six appearances for the Lilywhites since joining from Shakhtar Donetsk last year. After the acquisition of Wilson Odobert from Burnley, the north Londoners allowed the 25-year-old to leave the club on loan to Leeds United. The diminutive attacker would have hoped to get his career on track by getting regular minutes in the Championship this season.

However, things haven’t gone as per the plan for Manor Solomon. He has failed to muster any sort of impact at Elland Road, with a hamstring injury partly to blame for his struggles. The injury kept him on the sidelines for a month, restricting him to just five league appearances. The winger has only started two of his five Championship appearances, registering just an assist.

-> Ex-scout doubts winter Tottenham move for £30 million rated Premier League striker

This has led to pundits and journalists calling for the Whites to terminate the on-loan Tottenham winger’s contract. Journalist Jonny Buchan has suggested that Leeds might have to prematurely end Solomon’s loan spell in January and perhaps replace him.

Now that Solomon has recovered from a hamstring injury that kept him out of action for a month, he still has time to impress his manager Daniel Farke while proving both his fitness and worth. The Kefar Sava-born talent has to demonstrate that he can significantly contribute to the Peacock’s hunt for promotion after the club narrowly missed out last season.

With well over half the campaign still to be played, no one knows how injuries and suspensions could affect Leeds, especially towards the business end of the campaign where games come thick and fast. Plus, it is difficult to predict whether the Championship club would get a suitable replacement for Solomon given the January market is tricky to get deals done.

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So, it would be wise on Daniel Farke and Leeds’ part to keep faith with Solomon until after the January transfer window closes as he has the talent and quality to make a big difference. Spurs will also hope the Israel star stays with the Whites for the entire season, gets regular minutes and raises his stock when returning to N17.

Archie Gray tipped to leave Tottenham on loan for Leeds United in January

Tottenham Hotspur young gun Archie Gray has been subject to links with a loan move away from White Hart Lane as he struggles to find minutes under his belt this season.

The teenager only moved to the Hotspur Way in the summer from Championship side Leeds United for a fee worth around £30million. Spurs overcame competition from London rivals Brentford to the signing of the England youth international, who played 52 matches in all competitions in his breakout campaign at the Elland Road.

Before Spurs’ 2-1 win over Manchester City in the Carabao Cup fourth round, Archie Gray was limited to just 393 minutes of action in all competitions since his summer arrival. He was handed a start at right-back in a 4-3-3 formation and completed the full game against Man City on Wednesday.

However, former Leeds striker Lee Sharpe has urged Archie Gray to leave Tottenham on loan in January. He feels a move back to Elland Road would be perfect for all parties involved, allowing the prodigious talent to get regular minutes under his belt to continue his development.

-> Ex-scout doubts winter Tottenham move for £30 million rated Premier League striker

In paying around £30million to Leeds for Gray, Spurs landed one of the most exciting young players in English football. Having arrived at N17, Gray would have hoped to get minutes and compete for a spot in the starting XI under Big Ange. However, that hasn’t been the case.

While he is only 18, the England under-21 international is good enough to start for Big Ange’s side. Given the intense competition in full-back and midfield, Gray has to produce his best whenever he gets opportunities in cup competitions. Spurs cannot just leave a prodigious talent like Gray on the bench, Daniel Levy and Co. must contemplate letting him leave temporarily in January.

The versatile Englishman has a bright future in the game and the only way he can realize his true potential is by getting regular game time. Thus, it makes sense for Gray to seek a loan move away, perhaps even back to Leeds.

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A temporary exit back to Thorpe Arch could be seen as a suitable option for all parties involved to build his confidence and experience.