Two second-half goals from Dominic Solanke and a sublime James Maddison free kick helped Tottenham Hotspur to come from behind and overwhelm Aston Villa 4-1, ending the visitors’ seven-match unbeaten run in the Premier League.
Unai Emery’s Villa led at half-time through Morgan Rogers, but Spurs were level soon after the break when Brennan Johnson tapped in at the far post.
Solanke’s two goals in four minutes, including a flowing team move finished off with a delightful dink over Emiliano Martinez, secured the win, before Maddison curled in a free kick in stoppage time.
Ange Postecoglou’s Spurs had struggled to break down Villa in the first half, largely resorting to shots from distance, but they upped their intensity in the second period and two quick goals from Solanke sealed the win.
Postecoglou was full of praise for Solanke, a key signing from Bournemouth this summer, describing his effort levels as “unbelievable”.
“I just can’t speak highly enough of what he’s contributing to our team at the moment,” Postecoglou told reporters.
Spurs have bounced back well from a disappointing defeat at Crystal Palace last weekend, knocking Manchester City out of the League Cup in midweek, but Postecoglou was keen to stay grounded.
“You don’t fall off cliffs and you don’t climb mountains within a week,” Postecoglou said.
“I’m totally focused on the long game here.”
Emery, whose side had looked comfortable in the first half, said he was disappointed with the result, but not too worried about the manner of the defeat.
“We are disappointed, frustrated but we are accepting it,” Emery told the UK’s Sky Sports.
“We know our way, it is 38 matches, the league is very tight.”
Villa’s goal punctuated a drab first half at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with Rogers poking home from a yard out after Lucas Digne’s corner was flicked on into the six-yard box.
Spurs skipper Son Heung-min provided an assist on his return from injury, whipping an excellent out-swinging ball across the goal for Johnson to slot home at the back post shortly after half-time.
Solanke’s first goal was a flowing one-touch team move, latching on to Dejan Kulusevski’s cute pass and chipping the ball over the on-rushing Martinez.
Minutes later, a mistake by Villa defender Pau Torres set Spurs charging forward again with second-half substitute Richarlison squaring for Solanke to grab his second goal.
Maddison put the gloss on a fine display late on, caressing the ball around the Villa wall from 20 yards out and into the top corner past a helpless Martinez.
Spurs move up to seventh on the Premier League table on 16 points, two points adrift from VIlla in sixth who fell out of the top five after Chelsea secured a 1-1 draw with Manchester United at Old Trafford.
Reuters
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