This felt like one of those days when football players decide their destiny - will they cave in to the pressure or will they carve their own path through it?
Hugo Lloris decided to get carving. Tottenham were indebted to a huge performance from their captain, who in true Gandalf-style bellowed at Aston Villa: "You shall not pass."
The 35-year-old Frenchman saved seven shots alone in the first half, ranging from an incredible point blank reaction palm over from Jacob Ramsey to full length dives to push away rockets from Matt Cash and John McGinn and ending the half with a hand on the goal line to prevent Philippe Coutinho's clever free-kick from sneaking in.
