Tottenham vs Aston Villa LIVE: Premier League rating and updates as Son Heung-min begins
Tottenham Hotspur look to bounce back from a shock defeat to Crystal Palace when they take on Aston Villa in the Premier League this afternoon.
Spurs lost 1-0 at Selhurst Park a week ago but responded with a 2-1 win over Manchester City in the Carabao Cup. Ange Postecoglou will hope that victory brings some momentum to his team as they seek to progress further up the league table and challenge for the top four spot.
Villa already occupy one of those places. They come into the weekend fourth in the table, level on points with Arsenal. Though it is too soon to call the title challengers a win over top six opposition like Tottenham will take them one step closer to the trophy. Unai Emery’s men have not lost in the league since a 2-0 defeat to Arsenal in August, a run of seven matches which has kept them in touch with the top of the table.
Follow all the Premier League action with our live blog below:
Tottenham 0-0 Aston Villa
Not a bad effort from Bentancur as his effort from 20 yards clips the top of the netting as it goes over.
Tottenham 0-0 Aston Villa
The corner falls to Sarr and he tries to recreate his Carabao Cup heroics, but it hits an offside Johnson. Moments later, Spurs have it back as Onana catches Son’s heel.
Some great touches from Kulusevski in the box win Spurs another corner – they’re beginning to look the sharper of the two sides.
Tottenham 0-0 Aston Villa
Overall, this game has probably been exactly what you’d expect from two evenly matched teams who are competing for the same prize (of fourth place).
Not a good game for the neutral, and neither side has been able to gain a real foothold.
Spurs come forward again and Udogie wins a corner after good tracking from Onana.
Tottenham 0-0 Aston Villa
It’s a poor corner routine but Spurs win it back and Kuusevski fires in a dangerous cross, but Villa manage to get it clear eventually. Spurs come again but it’s wasteful as Bentancur’s effort from distance flies over and wide.
Tottenham 0-0 Aston Villa
A somewhat subdued atmosphere at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium at the moment, as McGinn is brought down by Bentancur. Villa opt to build from the back rather than put the ball in the box, and they knock it around near the Spurs box before Udogie does well to dispossess McGinn.
Spurs counter and Johnson also does well to get a corner after Kulusevski’s mistimed pass.
Tottenham 0-0 Aston Villa
Spurs winna free-kick not far from the Villa box and they have the first opportunity to deliver a dangerous ball in. Son takes but Solanke can only head it wide – not a bad routine though.
Tottenham 0-0 Aston Villa
Villa get away with one as Martinez’s pass is short, but Johnson can’t get it under control.
Spurs are beginning to dominate possession, but there’s not a lot of urgency or penetration at the moment.
Tottenham 0-0 Aston Villa
Both teams are still wrestling for control of this game early on, Villa are happy to let Spurs have the ball around halfway, with Spurs looking to press a little higher.
Tottenham 0-0 Aston Villa
Spurs’ high press almost works perfectly but Kulusevski is penalised for fouling Tielemans. Villa attack but McGinn’s ball in is blocked, before Onana gives away the foul.
No real chances yet for either side, though both look fairly settled early on.
