TOTTENHAM returned to winning ways in the Premier League as they saw off Aston Villa.
- Final score: Aston Villa 0-2 Tottenham
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THAT’S A WRAP
Thanks for joining us this evening.
For a spot of bedtime reading, don’t forget to check out our match report, courtesy of Jordan Davies.
PHILOSOPHICAL JOSE
When pressed on whether his team could finish in the top four, Mourinho added: “I want to be proud of my players no matter the result.
“During my career I have been proud many times when I’ve lost.
“For me, more than thinking of what position we’re going to finish, it’s more about developing during this period.
“I cannot do it alone, I have to do it with my club and the players in my dressing room. “
MOURINHO’S ATTITUDE
Speaking after the game, Jose Mourinho spoke about the importance of his team having the right attitude.
He said: “It was a good result, credit to the players; incredible attitude and incredible effort.
“I would say the team played as a team tonight.
“I would say our next challenge is to not play like this as a reaction to an awful performance, I want to see this soul and attitude permanently.
“There are things that are non-negotiable are attitude, team spirit and empathy and that’s something we want to see.
“We changed the team slightly tactically, but this wasn’t about tactics, the win was due to attitude.
“We saw cramps and fatigue and things that are connected with a performance where you give everything.”
SMITH SPEAKS
It took Aston Villa until the 58th minute to have a shot on goal and Dean Smith was all too aware of his side’s shortcomings this evening.
Speaking on Sky Sports, he says: “We started well and I thought we were better for the first 30minutes, but we make a mistake and they score.
“We got into good areas but just didn’t show our quality in the final third and that’s what’s missing for us at the moment- then we made a stupid mistake and gave away a penalty. Defensively we were solid all game.”
Asked how much his side were missing Jack Grealish’s creativity, Smith added: “I’ve said to them that we can’t wait for Jack to come back, everyone knows how good he is, but that’s been the other player’s opportunity to take. We’ve lacked creativity in the final third.”
KANE TALKS
Speaking on Sky Sports, Harry Kane says: “We massively needed that.
“The last few games we haven’t been good enough in a couple of areas- we didn’t want to go into the international break with a loss.
“The boys put a shift in and we deserved it.
“I think the attitude was different, we were working hard together, all in the same direction. We lost that a bit recently, so it was nice to see everyone fighting and putting their bodies on the line.
“We just need to keep that up if we’re going to pus for the top four.
“It’s been embarrassing for us as players- the only way to give back to the supporters and the club is to get back on the pitch and show what we’re made of- we did exactly that today.”
STAT ATTACK
Tottenham only managed three shots on target but scored twice easing their pain after a difficult week.
Possession was evenly split this evening, but Villa struggled in the final third.
Mourinho’s night
From someone who couldn’t bear to look in the first half, Mourinho was in the thick of the action in the second.
He ended the game with a smile on his face and embraced his former captain Terry with a long hug.
TEAM TALK
That result was exactly what Tottenham needed after a troubling week.
Carlos Vinicius bagged his first Premier League goal, before Harry Kane hammered it home from the spot.
He’s had 30 goal involvements this season and is now also the joint top goalscorer with 17.
Villa started both halves brightly, but they just couldn’t finish.
Smith will surely be glad to see his captain back in action after the international break.
FT: ASTON VILLA 0-2 TOTTENHAM
ASTON VILLA 0-2 TOTTENHAM
93. Targett is booked for taking out Moura’s ankles.
Villa are frustrated at Tottenham who are just seeing out these final few minutes.
ASTON VILLA 0-2 TOTTENHAM
90. Kane holds the ball up, but Mings isn’t hanging around.
He tries to pinch the ball from the forward but gives way a corner.
ASTON VILLA 0-2 TOTTENHAM
90. Four added minutes at Villa Park.
ASTON VILLA 0-2 TOTTENHAM
87. Bergwijn races down the left wing, seemingly socially distant from any Villa player.
Konsa recovers and pokes the ball away from his feet just before Bergwijn reaches the six-yard box.
ASTON VILLA 0-2 TOTTENHAM
84. Barkley is picked out on the edge of the box by Sanchez.
He pulls the trigger but his shot is blocked by Sissoko’s back.
ASTON VILLA 0-2 TOTTENHAM
82. Moura picks out Davies on the overlap, he squares a ball across the box but it’s poked out for a freekick by Mings.
The freekick fails to clear the first man.
Villa try to counter but Vinicius is booked for cynically stopping it.
ASTON VILLA 0-2 TOTTENHAM
81. Kane and Mings are involved in a footrace deep in Villa’s half.
Kane falls to the floor and pleads with Mike Dean for a freekick, but he went down too easily.
ASTON VILLA 0-2 TOTTENHAM
80. Ndombele makes way for Sissoko.
Ndombele had a decent game this evening, it’s well known that he hasn’t always found favour with his boss.
ASTON VILLA 0-2 TOTTENHAM
79. Sissoko looks as though he’ll get a late runout.
Mourinho is holding back on the change for now as Tottenham are charging towards Villa’s box, again.
ASTON VILLA 0-2 TOTTENHAM
79. Substitution for Villa.
Davis replaces Trezeguet.
ASTON VILLA 0-2 TOTTENHAM
78. Hojbjerg strikes the ball well from just outside the box.
It’s low and hard, but Martinez gets down to tip it away with his fingertips.
ASTON VILLA 0-2 TOTTENHAM
77. Tottenham look firmly in control now and have enjoyed a spell of possession in and around the box.
They’re looking far more confident than they did in the opening 30 minutes.
ASTON VILLA 0-2 TOTTENHAM
Here’s the incident and subsequent penalty..
ASTON VILLA 0-2 TOTTENHAM
73. Cash sees yellow for a late tackle on Moura.
After a five week absence from the team, he’s made his mark this evening,
ASTON VILLA 0-2 TOTTENHAM
72. Barkley chips several Spurs defenders with his freekick, but it’s punched clear by Lloris.
The ball falls to the top of the D where El Ghazi makes contact with the ball, but his effort is just wide.
ASTON VILLA 0-2 TOTTENHAM
71. Hojbjerg deliberately drags down Targett just outside the box on the left.
He appeared to see that as the safer option.
Barkley steps up to take the freekick.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
