Match report: Tottenham Hotspur 2 Aston Villa 1

Haran Naresh reports from The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as Tottenham Hotspur overcome Aston Villa.

Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg gives Tottenham the lead with a cool finish (photo by Tottenham Hotspur FC/Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty Images)

Tottenham Hotspur secured their first league win in four games with a hard fought triumph over Aston Villa.

Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg game Spurs the lead with a cool finish but this was cancelled out in the second half by Ollie Watkins’ strike. Lucas Moura scored just minutes later to give Tottenham a crucial three points.

Aston Villa made their attacking intent known early in the game. Matty Cash delivered a long throw that caused the Tottenham defence problems, with Tyrone Mings heading towards goal but having his effort cleared.

Villa enjoyed prolonged periods of possession in the Tottenham half. The away side were also very effective with their pressing game, denying Spurs time and space on the ball.

Spurs improved following their slow start. Sergio Reguilon picked out Harry Kane at the far post but the striker mis-timed his header and could not get a clean contact on the ball.

In the 22nd minute Kane picked the ball up and wrong-footed a defender but blazed well over.

A minute later, Kane took a free-kick quickly, attempting a chip from near the half-way line that nearly caught Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez off guard.

Son Heung-min then sent an effort off target. All the momentum was with the home side.

Spurs capitalised on this dominant spell and took the lead in the 27th minute with a well executed counter-attack. Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg played Son in down the right. He held the ball up before returning it to the Dane on the edge of the area and he calmly stroked the ball into the far corner.

With 39 minutes gone, John McGinn found Matt Targett down the line with an outstanding long pass but the defender’s touch was heavy, allowing Emerson Royal to get back and put the ball behind for a corner.

Villa continued to probe and in the 43rd minute a ball was cleared to McGinn and he took a touch before hitting a half-volley narrowly wide.

Villa quickly come out of the traps in the second half. A Tottenham clearance reached Targett at the back post and he fired his shot at Hugo Lloris.

A period of play where Spurs had several attempts on goal ended with Son volleying over.

With 56 minutes on the clock Tottenham counter attacked and Son released a shot that sailed over.

The away side gave the ball away trying to play out from the back. Kane collected it and fired across goal to Son but he could only side-foot wide from point-blank range.

In the 61st minute Reguilon delivered a long ball to Son, who advanced towards goal but was thwarted by Martinez.

Tanguy Ndombele deceived a couple of Villa defenders with a smart turn before hitting a tame shot that was easily collected by Martinez.

Villa equalised in the 67th minute. Danny Ings laid the ball wide to Targett and he squared to Ollie Watkins who was presented with a tap-in.

Tottenham restored their lead just four minutes later. Reguilon played another searching ball in behind for Son and the South Korean waltzed past Kortney Hause before picking out Lucas Moura to tap into the net.

Villa continued to carry a threat in the game. Ings seemed to get the ball trapped under his feet but quickly swivelled and hit a shot that was saved by Lloris.

Spurs came close to adding a third in the 87th minute with another slick counter. Son drove forward before sending a through ball to Kane, who played a brilliant back-heel to Giovani Lo Celso in space but his effort was weak and the Villa defence got back to clear.

A minute later, Lloris found Kane with his goal kick and the striker collected the ball but hit his effort straight at Martinez.

Tottenham managed the game expertly in the final stages, keeping the ball in the corner and winning fouls that used up valuable time.

This win will ease the pressure on under-fire Tottenham boss Nuno Espirito Santo. For Nuno, one of the most satisfying aspects of the performance will be Tottenham’s defending. They defended stoutly against a spirited Villa side that tested them throughout. He will also take confidence from his team’s reaction to Villa’s equaliser.

Clubs now step away from action for the next fortnight due to the international break.

Tottenham’s next game is at Newcastle United on 17th October.

Tottenham Hotspur manager Nuno Espirito Santo speaking in his post-match press conference: On the reaction to Villa’s goal: “The reaction was really, really good. Definitely a better reaction. Previously we became a little bit flat and today was immediately reacting.”

“I honestly believe there were more goals there for us today, but the production and the way we produced, the way we created was much, much better.”

“Sonny, the way he took the team forward and the way he imbalanced them on one v one situations was very important, but all the team, there were a lot of good individual performances and when this happens the team plays better, it is natural so I am pleased.”