A brilliant second half from Tottenham Hotspur saw them tear apart a resolute Aston Villa side with the final score 4-0 at Villa Park.
The only question mark for the line-up was whether or not one of Sergio Reguilon or Ryan Sessegnon would reclaim the left-back position from injury. Antonio Conte chose not to risk it, especially when Matt Doherty is in fantastic form. However, both were benched which means they are available and will be given some extra time before having to go 90 minutes.
Match Timeline
3′ – A little spicy at the start with three quick fouls between the two sides.
4′ – GOAL TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR! (Son) – Spurs pressed after a foul and put themselves in a dangerous position. Kane puts a shot in the stomach of a Defender, which falls on Sonny. He takes a big tear and kisses him from the inside of the post to shake him home. Perfect start, 1-0!
8th’ – Matt Doherty is still down after a tough challenge. He tries to walk it away so he can get back in, but he’s limping pretty badly.
10′ – Doherty is back down and has signaled the bench. Sergio Reguilon prepares on the bench after a very quick warm-up.
13′ – He will try again. Most likely it’s a deep bruise after this tough challenge, so it comes down to how much he can take when he’s not getting in the way of things.
14′ – Solid save from Hugo Lloris after a long-range cash shot!
17′ – And another one! Villa slices up the defense as Jacob Ramsey goes into the net but Hugo saves at close range to send him over the bar.
19′ – Again Hugo! McGinn gets a long-range shot that pinches on the way to the net. Somehow the captain makes another big save.
20′ – Okay, this is getting out of hand. Villa’s challenges might get the ball first but the following passes are brutal.
21′ – Tottenham Hotspur is substituted. Doherty can’t go any further. Sergio Reguilon comes in for him.
22′ – It’s about damn time we see a map. Ings will appear yellow for his late challenge. The referee needs to get this game under control quickly.
24′ – Jacob Ramsey is now down for Villa. He may have injured himself trying to kill Bentancur.
28′ – Spurs are lucky with a set piece for Villa. A lob over the top to feed Ings is perfect, but the striker totally reeks of it.
29′ – Hojbjerg goes into the book for his challenge on Coutinho. Questionable booking given some of the challenges we’ve seen so far.
32′ – Villa just keeps slicing us open. Coutinho comes deep into the attacking third and crosses to Ollie Watkins. The header effort is far too high and ends up in the stands. Spurs need to be tough and gain possession or this lead won’t last.
34′ – Cuti with a receipt through Watkins. Got the ball first though. That’s the rule, isn’t it boys?
35′ – Spurs earn a free-kick after a McGinn foul. There is no way this match will end 11 vs. 11. If it does, it will be a miracle.
37′ – Squeeze, everyone. Hugo makes another save after Watkins is webbed. It’s another corner for villa.
38′ – Splendid. I have no idea why Villa didn’t score, especially on this one. Ramsey crosses the ball and Mengs flicks it to Ings. He’s all alone but scrapes it wide for a goal kick.
43′ – Oh man, Spurs just got a gift for a Reguilon shot. Good save, but then Mengs almost sends it into his own net. Martinez takes the deflector and it goes to the corner.
45′ – There are five extra minutes.
45’+1′ – Villa yells for a foul that isn’t there after a penalty on a clear try. Pretty funny, honestly.
45’+3′ – Cash gets another one-time try, this time a side volley, but Hugo makes yet another save. That’s six in this half alone.
45’+5′ – Hugo is upside down today. A shrewd free-kick almost sneaks into the post but Lloris parries with both fists to somehow deny Villa the win. Seven saves.
HALFTIME: Everyone gasps. Spurs lead Villa 1-0 after a violent and chaotic half.
Second half
46′ – No changes in the lineup of either side. Let’s see if violence is still on the menu.
47′ – It is. McGinn interrupts Hojbjerg to earn a foul.
48′ – Another foul on Villa and they keep complaining after each of them. If you want to play hard, get used to it.
50′ – GOAL TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR! (Kulusevski) – Give me a ginger! That’s absolutely nothing. Lloris sends it long and Kane flips it on to Deki. It’s a pretty absurd shot and angle, but that doesn’t matter as he sends it into the corner of the net. 2:0!
53′ – Mengs is down after scoring for Villa and apparently a beacon went off in the stands? Just another day of football.
54′ – Spurs break in again on the break after a terrible pass from Villa. Deki’s pass for Sonny is just a bit too much, otherwise it might be 3-0.
61′ – Still sharp as hell in this match. Royal is booed for a chop down but avoids a warning.
66′ – TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR GOAL! (Son) – Absolutely brilliant counter-football. Romero plays a long pass to Kane, who releases Sonny with a simple headshot. One touch, shot, goal. 3:0!
70′ – Substitution Aston Villa: Buendia and Bailey come on for Villa.
72′ – GOAL TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR! (Son) – Hat trick for Sonny! Deki dribbles deep into the attacking third, takes it to the touchline and fakes Mengs. An easy retreat and a perfect pass allows Sonny to put it in the net once. 4-0 and it’s all over except for the crying.
74′ – Emerson goes in the book for his foul on Digne.
78′ – Tottenham Hotspur is substituted. Sonny bows as he gives way to Lucas Moura.
80′ – Substitution Aston Villa: Ashley Young comes on for the injured Digne.
82′ – For a full 90 seconds, Ashley Young is on the court doing it. He had no intention of playing that ball when he went in the book for his challenge. Absolute garbage challenge.
84′ – Tottenham Hotspur is substituted. Steven Bergwijn checks in for Deki. Another brilliant performance for the former Juventus man.
88′ – The Oles are in full swing in the away game. That second half was so good and they’re enjoying themselves.
90′ – McGinn’s whining about being nutmeg by Kane is a perfect summary of Villa’s day.
90’+1′ – Kane gets a yellow card for a cynical challenge.
90’+2′ – Hugo came on again from a set piece but he erased a one-off touch to save his clean sheet.
FULL-TIME: Spurs beat Aston Villa 4-0. Fantastic second half and Spurs have a huge advantage over the rest of the field for last place in the Champions League.
thoughts on the game
- This team’s counterattack is unbelievable. Spurs ripped Villa out of nothing twice in the second half. The long balls from Hugo and Romero to set up those goals were fantastic. Sonny was lethal and Kane’s passing ability is still otherworldly.
- Villa’s “kill everything that moves” tactic kept Spurs on their toes in the first half. Actual bookings may be different, but who am I to ask an EPL referee?
- Despite a Sonny hat trick, Hugo is my man of the match. Seven saves in the first half and any of them could have changed the course of this game. Villa threw the kitchen sink at him and he answered every last shot.
- What else can we say about Deki? He blended into this attack like he’s played with Kane and Son for years. We value the deal, Juventus.
- Spurs absolutely fly now. Since losing to Burnley, Spurs have taken 18 points from 21 and outplayed their opponents 25-5.
- Spurs are now three points ahead of Arsenal in fourth place. The Gunners have a game in hand but the Spurs now enjoy a +10 advantage on goal difference.
- Two tweets you need to see:
Spurs have scored more PL goals this season under Antonio Conte (appointed in November) than Arsenal under Arteta
— Duncan Alexander (@oilysailor) April 9, 2022
- We’re back at home against Brighton next Saturday.
- Enjoy your weekend afterwards, everyone!