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Tottenham player ratings vs Aston Villa: Hojbjerg, Son and Emerson shine in key win for Nuno

 (AFP via Getty Images)
(AFP via Getty Images)

Tottenham eased the pressure on Nuno Espirito Santo with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Aston Villa on Sunday.

A Matt Targett own goal – under pressure from Lucas Moura – proved the winner shortly after Ollie Watkins had equalised for the visitors with 25 minutes to play, as Spurs got back to winning ways after three straight League defeats.

Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg put Spurs ahead in the first half with his third goal for the club.

Dan Kilpatrick was at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to rate the Spurs players…

Hugo Lloris 7

Little he could have done about Watkins’ close-range finish and his only other key save was from a tame Danny Ings effort. Quick off his line.

Emerson Royal 8

A promising showing after a tough start in the Premier League. Committed and aggressive defensively and got forward well, creating a big chance for Son at the start of the second half.

Cristian Romero 7

Overcommitted for the Villa goal, rushing out of the line but failing to win possession. Impressed with a series of big tackles and clever passes out but still getting used to the speed of the Premier League.

Eric Dier 6

Watkins snuck round the back of him for the goal and his distribution was occasionally sloppy. Coped OK, barring the odd struggle with Watkins under high balls.

Sergio Reguilon 7

Involved in the winning goal by playing in Son and used the ball intelligently. Worked hard to get up and down the left flank.

Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg 8

Took his goal superbly after winning possession and finding a pocket of space on the edge of the box. Tidy on the ball and shielded the back four well from the threat of John McGinn.

Oliver Skipp 7

Picked up another soft yellow card, leaving him just one more from a suspension, but Spurs look so much more solid with him in the middle next to Hojbjerg. Snapped into tackles well and made one vital clearance.

Lucas Moura 7

Popped up with the crucial winning goal after a typically lively but not always effective display. Constantly dropped deep and central to act as a second player, which is not where his strengths lie.

Tanguy Ndombele 6

Back at No.10, where he occasionally played last season, Ndombele showed flashes, including a burst into the box and shot at Emiliano Martinez, but starved of service and didn’t do enough with the ball.

Heung-min Son 8

Assisted both goals, putting the second on a plate for Lucas after a brilliant burst past Kortney Hause. Looked the most likely to make something happen for Spurs and threatening the Villa goal with two curling shots.

Harry Kane 6

His best outing the season in the top-flight but a sixth consecutive League game without a goal. Missed a one-on-one with Martinez, shortly after setting up a golden chance for Lo Celso with a brilliant back-heel. Green shoots but Nuno is still struggling to get the best from his talisman.

Subs

Lo Celso (Ndombele 75’) 7

Had a glorious chance from Kane’s back-heel but caught in two minds and wasted the chance. It was further evidence that he not as his most effective in the final third.

Bryan Gil (Lucas 89’) N/A

A late sub to spare Lucas’s legs.

Not used: Gollini, Doherty, Sanchez, Rodon, Winks, Dele, Scarlett.

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