Conte keeps faith in Emerson
Antonio Conte kept faith with Emerson Royal in his Tottenham XI to face Aston Villa on Saturday evening. Falling out of favour in recent months following some poor showings at right-back and Matt Doherty taking his opportunity in the team, the Brazilian was handed a big opportunity last Sunday against Newcastle United.
The summer signing did take his chance in the team and managed to net a goal from close range in the 5-1 drubbing. However, not many expected him to retain his place in the Spurs team with Sergio Reguilon and Ryan Sessegnon returning to training this week after their recent spells on the sidelines.
Instead, Conte named the duo on the bench and operated with Emerson and Doherty as his wing-backs once again. Following a tough few weeks for the Brazil international after having to watch on from the sidelines with his teammate shining, the fact the head coach named him in the XI again would have given him a huge confidence boost.
READ MORE: Tottenham player ratings: Son sublime, Lloris brilliant with Kane and Kulusevski a force
Doherty injury scare
Tottenham were dealt a big blow midway inside the first half with Doherty having to make way after sustaining an injury inside the opening ten minutes. Collecting a long ball on the left flank, Aston Villa right-back Matty Cash quickly came in to close him down and unfortunately caught the Spurs man.
Staying down and in need of treatment from the Tottenham medical staff, Doherty managed to carry on before going to ground not long after. With Reguilon warming up after Doherty's initial knock, the Spaniard prepared to come on before he was told to sit down again with the Republic of Ireland international keen to carry on.
However, his race was finally run a matter of minutes later as the Spaniard finally replaced him. Given his excellent form of late after nailing down a regular place in the Tottenham XI, all will be praying that the knock he picked up isn't serious and he can return to action sooner rather than later.
Lloris' heroics
Taking the lead inside three minutes through Son Heung-min's well-taken opener to make the perfect start, it was all Aston Villa from then on as Steven Gerrard's side put Tottenham under relentless pressure. Called into action early on to deny Cash, Hugo Lloris then produced a brilliant save at his near post to stop Jacob Ramsey from lashing the ball high into the net.
As good as that save was from the World Cup winner, there was to be an even better one minutes later to stop John McGinn's swerving effort from distance restoring parity. It was just a sign of things to come for the Frenchman as Tottenham's goal was peppered as the hosts took control of proceedings and attacked relentlessly.
In total, Lloris made an incredible seven saves in the first half, with his last one seeing him manage to keep out Philippe Coutinho's free-kick as the Brazilian looked to catch him out at his near post. In the end the West Midlands club were made to pay for their wastefulness as Dejan Kulusevski arrowed in a second shortly after half-time and Son hit another two.
Conte fumes and angry Hojbjerg speaks to the ref
Spurs head coach Conte was not happy on a few occasions during the first half of Tottenham's game against Aston Villa. Having seen Doherty leave the pitch early on through injury, the head coach was extremely animated on the touchline and had a word with fourth official Craig Pawson following fouls on Reguilon and Kulusevski.
Tyrone Mings certainly did catch the Sweden star not far from the Spurs bench and it came as no surprise to see Conte make his feelings clear on the tackle. The game between the two was most definitely a throwback at times with a number of big tackles, including one from Ramsey that sent Rodrigo Bentancur flying as they competed for a 50-50.
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg was also not too impressed on a couple of occasions in the encounter after being caught late when competing for the ball. Having a word with Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins in the first half after one challenge, another late tackle on the Dane saw him go over and speak to referee Graham Scott five minutes after the restart.
The perfect Saturday
What a Saturday for Tottenham in the top-four race. Jumping into the last Champions League spot last weekend following their win over Newcastle United and Arsenal's defeat at Crystal Palace, the Lilywhites kept up their stunning form with another impressive victory at Villa Park.
Having seen Manchester United fall to a defeat against Everton in the midday kick-off, as well as Brighton & Hove Albion pulling off a big shock at the Emirates, Spurs had a golden chance to take control in the top-four race. Making the perfect start through Son's strike before Villa really tested them for the rest of the first half, Conte's team turned it on in the second half again as they did against Newcastle in their previous game.
Son, Kane and Kulusevski once again pulled the strings for the visitors as they fired in three brilliant team goals to take total control in the Midlands. Spurs' defence also remained strong throughout to keep Villa goalless, with their current mentality summed up by Cristian Romero celebrating in stoppage time in front of the Holte End after making a clearance in his own box as the hosts looked to pull one back.
