Opinion: Player ratings from Tottenham’s 2-0 defeat to Aston Villa

Tottenham Hotspur kicked off the new year in dismal style this afternoon with a 2-0 defeat at home to Aston Villa. Let’s take a look at how the individual players got on:

Hugo Lloris – 2 – One or two routine saves, but he was directly at fault for Aston Villa’s opener when he spilled an easy shot. Before that, Spurs were actually on top, but the goal changed the game.

Matt Doherty – 4 – One of the better players, particularly in the first half. Doherty looked a real threat in behind, with the nutmeg in the box standing out. Disappeared in the second 45.

Cristian Romero – 7 – Perhaps Tottenham’s only player who can walk away knowing he put in a good performance. No nonsense in the tackle, passionate, high effort levels, good on the ball.

Clement Lenglet – 3 – Shocking defensively today. He was all over the place! Summed up in the dying minutes when he let his man break away from him, then gave the ball away a second time after Spurs had recovered possession.

Ben Davies – 4 – He didn’t take any nonsense today but he also didn’t really add anything. Struggled to contain Villa on that side in the second half, and couldn’t make a challenge after his yellow.

Ivan Perisic – 3 – We usually associate Perisic with great deliveries once he gets to the byline, but he was shocking today. Everything either hit the first man or flew out of play long.

Yves Bissouma – 4 – Did not look comfortable in that midfield two again. Actually played pretty well in the first 45, but he was all over the place in the second half. I’m not sure if it’s confidence, the formation, or what.

Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg – 4 – Not up to his usual high standards. He often dips a little once you take away his preferred partner in Bentancur, but Hojbjerg didn’t dictate possession as he normally does today.

Heung-min Son – 3 – Gave the ball away for fun and failed to beat the first man with any set-piece delivery. Son usually strikes fear into the opposition with the ball at his feet, but he is so far from that at the moment.

Harry Kane – 3 – Kane was barely in the game today, beyond a couple of half chances and that effort that was cleared off the line. When he did drop deep, his creativity levels were very flat too.

Bryan Gil – 4 – High marks for effort but there was no end product really. Gil pressed and sprinted all day long, but he rarely got past his man when taking people on one-vs-one.

Substitutes: 

Ryan Sessegnon – 3 – Came on to add fresh legs down the left but lacked quality on the ball.

Emerson Royal – N/A

Pape Matar Sarr – N/A – I was impressed with his cameo though.

Oliver Skipp – N/A

Djed Spence – N/A

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