Tottenham trailed Aston Villa 1-0 at half time but two goals from Dominic Solanke and a goal each from Brennan Johnson and James Maddison saw Spurs surge back to win 4-1.
Morgan Rogers gave Villa the lead in an end-to-end first half but Spurs started the second half as they meant to go on with Heung-min Son (back from injury) curled in a beautiful assist for Johnson to finish.
Solanke’s two goals in four minutes turned the game on its head and Maddison curled home a stunning free kick in stoppage time to seal the win in style.
Tottenham move on to 16 points for the season, just two points behind Villa. Spurs are also the top goalscorers in the Premier League with 22 goals scored in their opening 10 games.
Swashbuckling Spurs grab pivotal win to provide a blueprint
Tottenham saw themselves behind after an even first half but they didn’t panic. They stuck to their principles and their intensity and creativity overwhelmed Villa in the second half. Kulusevski ran the show in midfield and his clever ball found Solanke, who consistently made great runs in-behind, to finish superbly for the crucial second goal. Tottenham needed this win. They had to get closer to Villa, who will be challenging alongside them for a spot in the top four. Ange Postecoglou’s side are still dealing with injuries and teething issues with their balance in midfield but they’ve gone all-in on being the swashbuckling side he wants them to be. Their midweek League Cup win against Man City gave them confidence and the fact they only had Son available for 55 minutes, Maddison was dropped to the bench, Timo Werner didn’t come on and Micky van de Ven is out injured shows you how strong their squad is. Tottenham are far from the finished article but the way they dismantled and discombobulated a usually solid Villa side in the second half proved that on their day, when it all clicks, nobody can stop them. The next crucial step for Tottenham is consistency but the balance is improving with Kulusevski linking midfield and attack masterfully. If you love goals and entertainment, Spurs are the one team you should always watch. Will that style win them a trophy? Perhaps not this season. But they’re on the right path under Ange and have to stay patient, just like they did in this game.
Tottenham vs Aston Villa player ratings (Via FotMob.com)
What’s next?
Spurs head to Galatasaray on Thursday for a big Europa League game, then host Ipswich Town next Sunday, Nov. 10. Aston Villa head to Club Brugge in the Champions League on Wednesday and then host Liverpool next Saturday.
How to watch Tottenham Hotspur vs Aston Villa live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 9am ET Sunday
Venue: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
TV Channel: USA Network
Streaming: Stream online via NBC.com
Tottenham vs Aston Villa final score: 4-1
Johnson 48', Solanke 75', 79', Maddison 96'; Rogers 32'
Tottenham vs Aston Villa live updates! - By Joe Prince-Wright
Maddison curls home a stunning free kick! - Tottenham 4-1 Aston Villa
After Solanke was fouled by Carlos on the edge of the box, Maddison steps up and curls the ball up and over the wall and in off the post. Majestic free kick and the substitute delivers his trademark Darts goal celebration.
10 minutes of stoppage time
Lots of jeers and gasps around the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as the board goes up to show 10 minutes of stoppage time. Ange looks unfazed but Spurs will have to dig deep. Villa are piling on the pressure to get one goal back and make it very interesting.
Solanke gets another! - Tottenham 3-1 Aston Villa
Spurs are in dreamland now. Sarr intercepts a loose pass and plays in Richarlison down the left. He cuts the ball back perfectly for Solanke to tap home his second and Tottenham’s third. The home fans are going bonkers. But Richarlison is down getting treatment as he seemed to injure his left hamstring when providing the assist. Richarlison hobbles off and he was only on the pitch for about 20 minutes but made a big difference. Ange gives him a hug and a few kind of words.
Solanke dinks home a beauty - Tottenham 2-1 Aston Villa
Kulusevski plays in Solanke perfectly and he dinks home a sublime finish to put Spurs ahead with 15 minutes to go. After a VAR check for offside, the goal stands. My oh my did Spurs, and Solanke, need that moment.
Injuries galore as Romero, Cash, Rogers all go off
Lots of stoppages over the last few minutes with Spurs’ Romero replaced by Davies due to injury, while Rogers and Cash both can’t continue for Villa as Carlos and Duran are on. Plenty of stoppage time coming up at the end of this game...
Son, Bentancur subbed off with Bissouma, Richarlison on
Heung-min Son, just back from injury, is subbed off. He looks surprised. As does everyone in the stadium. But Ange is making sure he stays fit and also brings off Bentancur. Richarlison and Bissouma come on. Just over 30 minutes to go. Can Spurs keep up this pressure?
Solanke denied by Martinez
It is ALL Spurs now. Udogie charges down the left and finds Solanke who does well to sort out his feet and sends a low shot towards the bottom corner but Martinez does really well to save. Spurs have properly got the wind in the sails.
Johnson taps home Son’s brilliant cross - Tottenham 1-1 Aston Villa
Just what Spurs needed at the start of the second half. Their captain Son delivers a magnificent cross to the back post and Johnson and Solanke are both there to tap home and the former finishes. Game on! What a second half this should be and Spurs are flying now.
Half time: Tottenham 0-1 Aston Villa
Villa lead through Morgan Rogers and they’ve looked more dangerous throughout. Spurs have had plenty of the ball but aren’t looking dynamic enough in the final third and haven’t had a shot on target so far. Does James Maddison come on at half time? Timo Werner too? Spurs have to inject a bit of a speed and creativity into their attack because right now Villa are looking pretty comfortable after that set-piece goal has them ahead.
Solanke’s shot blocked after a rare Villa giveaway
A rare giveaway from Villa in midfield sees Spurs surge forward but Solanke’s powerful effort is blocked and that is the last attack of the half.
This is really open now as Watkins drags one wide
Spurs are trying their best to find an equalizer but they can’t quite open up Villa with Johnson, Son and Solanke probing. Villa then break but Watkins drags his effort wide from inside the box. He was under pressure but should have done better with that.
Rogers taps home from a corner! - Tottenham 0-1 Aston Villa
That was coming! Digne whips in a corner to the near post and Porro flicks it on towards his own goal and after Vicario saves, Rogers is there to tap home on the line. Rogers has now scored in three-straight away games for Villa this season and after Spurs had dominated the early stages it’s Villa who lead in north London. Let’s see what kind of reaction we get from Tottenham.
Onana hits the post as Villa have woken up
A shot corner sees the ball whipped into the box and Onana climbs higher than everyone but his downwards hits the post and Vicario pushes it out and Spurs clear for another corner.
Bentancur curls one just over
Spurs are dominant now with sustained spells of pressure. Villa can’t get any control on this game. Rodrigo Bentancur has time and space 25 yards out but curls a decent effort just over. Only one team looking the most likely to score right now and it’s the hosts.
Decent start from Spurs
Lots of possession in midfield and the final third for Tottenham but Villa are holding firm and had a decent chance as a cross just evaded Watkins. Kulusevski is pulling the strings and Porro lashes one way off target. As expected, very even between these two teams.
Tottenham lineup
Vicario; Porro, Romero, Dragusin, Udogie; Kulusevski, Sarr, Bentancur; Johnson, Solanke, Son
Aston Villa lineup
Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Torres, Digne; McGinn, Onana, Tielemans, Ramsey; Rogers; Watkins
Tottenham Hotspur focus, team news
Heung-min Son’s status is one to watch, as the recently-crowned four-time Asian Footballer of the Year has been so key to Spurs’ bright days on the pitch.
OUT: Micky van de Ven (hamstring), Wilson Odobert (thigh) | QUESTIONABLE: Heung-min Son (undisclosed), Djed Spence (groin), Cristian Romero (undisclosed), Timo Werner (groin)
Aston Villa focus, team news
Villa only have one injury at the moment, as Unai Emery continues to balance playing time for star striker Ollie Watkins and super sub Jhon Duran.
OUT: Ross Barkley (unknown)
Tottenham Hotspur vs Aston Villa prediction
Villa have taken 10 of 12 away points this young Premier League season, while Spurs have three wins and a loss at home in league play. Villa have a solid plan for dealing with teams like Tottenham, and attacking depth for days. This should be a tight encounter and there may be a few goals between the two, but Villa’s project has been more consistent than Spurs this season. Tottenham 1-2 Aston Villa.
Tottenham vs Aston Villa preview
Spurs have lost two of their last three Premier League fixtures, dropping to eighth on the Premier League table through nine matches. Villa haven’t lost in 11 matches across all competitions dating back to an August 24 home loss to Arsenal. But the Villans have drawn two of their last three PL matches, including a 1-1 stoppage-time letdown at home to Bournemouth in Week 9.
Both sides faced Wednesday matches in the League Cup, and both sides have decent depth. Will Ange Postecoglou or Unai Emery come out on top in North London this weekend?
