Tottenham Hotspur rounded out a phenomenal week as they came from behind to defeat Champions League rivals Aston Villa 4-1 in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon, with Dominic Solanke scoring a quickfire double to help give the hosts all three points.
The match was largely played inside Aston Villa's half during the opening 20 minutes, with Tottenham's high press stopping the visitors from being able to play out from the back, but despite the control, the hosts failed to truly threaten the opposition goal as the match remained goalless.
The visitors did begin to grow into the game as it headed towards the half-hour mark, and it was Aston Villa who actually took the lead against the run of play when a corner was poorly dealt with by Spurs, with Morgan Rogers reacting fastest to the loose ball and smashing into the net from close range.
Just after the restart and Tottenham pulled themselves level, with Brennan Johnson beating Solanke to convert a beautiful cross from Heung-min Son at the back post.
The game was marred by injuries and stoppages following the goal, with both teams forced into making numerous changes due to injury concerns, which significantly disrupted the tempo of the match as a result.
Tottenham eventually took the lead with 15 minutes remaining when a brilliant piece of build-up play saw Dejan Kulusevski slide Solanke through on goal, with the striker deftly chipping Emi Martinez to make it 2-1.
Minutes later and the hosts had doubled their lead, with Solanke securing his second of the day as he raced onto Richarlison's cutback cross and easily converted into the net.
James Maddison added the cherry on top for Spurs as he breathtakingly curled his freekick around the Aston Villa wall and into the top right corner, a sensational strike from the midfielder.
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR VS. ASTON VILLA HIGHLIGHTS
Morgan Rogers goal vs. Tottenham Hotspur (32nd min, Tottenham Hotspur 0-1 Aston Villa)
Morgan Rogers pounces to give Villa the lead! 🥶 pic.twitter.com/6piSn8CRUN
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) November 3, 2024
Villa have taken the lead against the run of play!
Lucas Digne delivers a corner, which Pedro Porro flicks on, and Rodrigo Bentancur almost converts into his own net, but Guglielmo Vicario makes an excellent save to keep the ball out.
However, Rogers reacts quickest to the rebound and smashes the ball into the net, giving Aston Villa the lead against the run of play and marking his third consecutive Premier League away game with a goal.
Brennan Johnson goal vs. Aston Villa (49th min, Tottenham Hotspur 1-1 Aston Villa)
Brennan Johnson gets on the end of a brilliant ball from Heung-min Son and Spurs are LEVEL! 👊 pic.twitter.com/nlpyq0lo3K
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) November 3, 2024
Spurs are level and it's Johnson once again!
Son gathers the ball wide on the left and initially looks to take on his marker before shifting the ball to his left foot and whipping a beautifully curved, inviting cross into the box.
Solanke looks certain to get a touch and score the equaliser, but Johnson comes steaming in from the back post to get the first touch and level the game.
Dominic Solanke goal vs. Aston Villa (75th min, Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 Aston Villa)
What a pass for Kulusevski and what a GOAL from Dominic Solanke! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/Mq9KwmFRGD
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) November 3, 2024
That is superb from Solanke!
Tottenham finally breaks through the middle of the Aston Villa defence, with Johnson and Kulusevski combining just outside the box before the Swede feeds the ball through to Solanke.
The striker, narrowly onside thanks to Ezri Konsa, races onto the pass and deftly chips his effort over the outrushing Emi Martinez, a truly fantastic finish.
Dominic Solanke goal vs. Aston Villa (79th min, Tottenham Hotspur 3-1 Aston Villa)
Solanke is there AGAIN! 🎯 pic.twitter.com/1HfQjanthP
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) November 3, 2024
Tottenham and Solanke hit a quickfire double!
Aston Villa sloppily lose the ball deep inside their half, with Tottenham quickly springing forward as Richarlison receives the ball down the left side of the box.
The forward cuts his cross back across the box, with Solanke racing onto the ball and placing into the net from close range, doubling Spurs's lead and grabbing his second of the day.
James Maddison goal vs. Aston Villa (96th min, Tottenham Hotspur 4-1 Aston Villa)
Perfection from James Maddison 🎯 pic.twitter.com/zR0fewhc9Y
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) November 3, 2024
That puts the cherry on top for Tottenham!
The hosts are awarded a free kick right on the edge of the area, providing Maddison with the perfect opportunity to get on the scoresheet, and the midfielder executes his effort flawlessly as he bends it around the wall and into the net, leaving Martinez with no chance.
MAN OF THE MATCH - DOMINIC SOLANKE
© Imago
Solanke was the game-winner for Tottenham Hotspur, scoring a quickfire double with goals in the 75th and 79th minutes, putting the game out of reach for Aston Villa.
Despite rarely getting involved in the game, it was a true poacher's performance from the striker as he scored two well-taken goals, something that will certainly please Ange Postecoglou.
Amadou Onana also deserves a mention, as the midfielder dominated the middle of the park for large parts of the game despite ultimately being on the losing side.
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR VS. ASTON VILLA MATCH STATS
Possession: Tottenham Hotspur 51%-49% Aston Villa
Shots: Tottenham Hotspur 16-12 Aston Villa
Shots on target: Tottenham Hotspur 6-1 Aston Villa
Corners: Tottenham Hotspur 6-4 Aston Villa
Fouls: Tottenham Hotspur 14-14 Aston Villa
BEST STATS
12 - Spurs have conceded the opening goal of a Premier League home game on 12 occasions in 2024; the most of any team this year. Recurring. pic.twitter.com/4durzeGA0S
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) November 3, 2024
⚽ vs. Ipswich
— Squawka Live (@Squawka_Live) November 3, 2024
⚽ vs. Fulham
⚽ vs. Tottenham
Morgan Rogers has now scored in his last three Premier League away games for Aston Villa. #TOTAVL pic.twitter.com/Gjzg8PK4qF
Most goals scored from set-pieces (excluding penalties) in the Premier League this season:
— Squawka Live (@Squawka_Live) November 3, 2024
◉ 5 - Arsenal
◉ 5 - Aston Villa
Both sides scored from a corner at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. ⚽️#TOTAVL pic.twitter.com/t3CUHgViEu
Son Heung-min has now been directly involved in 10 goals in nine Premier League games vs. Aston Villa:
— Squawka Live (@Squawka_Live) November 3, 2024
◉ 6 goals
◉ 4 assists
He LOVES playing against the Villans. 😍#TOTAVL pic.twitter.com/uFoz4Tgode
Tottenham have now scored 50 Premier League home goals under Ange Postecoglou in 24 games at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
— Squawka Live (@Squawka_Live) November 3, 2024
Only Antonio Conte has reached that milestone in fewer matches for Spurs (20 games).#TOTAVL pic.twitter.com/A0Oq7ggs3m
WHAT NEXT?
Victory for Tottenham concludes an impressive week for Postecoglou's side, who have defeated both Manchester City and Aston Villa in recent days and they will aim for three consecutive wins across all competitions when they face Galatasaray next Thursday.
As for Aston Villa, a second defeat in as many matches leaves them without a victory in their last three outings across all competitions, a run they will look to end when they face Club Brugge on Wednesday.
Ellis Stevens
