On Sunday evening, Tottenham Hotspur were in FA Cup fourth round proper action away to Aston Villa. For the task at hand, Ange opted for; Kinsky; Porro, Danso, Gray, Spence; Kulusevski, Bentancur, Bergvall; Moore, Tel, Son.
Within the first 60 seconds, Spurs were behind. After a ball to Jacob Ramsey split the Spurs defence open, he struck a shot very close to Kinsky, but the goalkeeper somehow managed to be beat by the ball and it went into the back of the net. Seriously, seriously weak wrists. Just not good enough at all.
Just under a quarter of an hour in, high pressing from Villa forced Kinsky into giving the ball away, leading to Donyell Malen firing a shot over from around 15 yards out. More luck than judgment to not concede there. Minutes later, Tielemans had far too much space to drive and get a shot off, fortunately striking narrowly wide.
After 20 minutes, Malen managed to drive through and find Ramsey on the left hand side, with his shot fortunately this time being off target. Just so easy time and time again.
Midway through the first half, Spurs had their first chance, and what a chance it was. A superb through ball from Kulusevski set Moore away down the right. The 17-year old squared the ball for Son, but the skipper hit his effort straight at Emi Martinez from close range. Absolutely had to score.
That ball from Kulusevski to Moore is actually how we suggested the Swede and Tel may link up down that side. For more on how the Frenchman may fit at Spurs – read here.
Just before the half hour mark, Leon Bailey had time and space to drive towards the box, with his effort very central and at Kinsky, before Ramsey fired the rebound into the side netting from a tight angle. Another let off for Spurs, who were playing so, so poorly outside of one (very good) attack.
In stoppage time, Spurs once again lost possession whilst playing out from the back. This time, the attack ended with Malen hitting the side netting from a tight angle. Should have done better – or passed. Another let off in a half full of them for Spurs.
Half-time, 1-0 to Villa. Just such a bad performance. To remind you – Emery's side started the game with a duo of Ezri Konsa and Boubacar Kamara, whom is a defensive midfielder. From the 27th minute, their duo was Kamara and 21 year old midfielder Lamare Bogarde. So a literal centre back duo of midfielders. Spurs still creating absolutely nothing since then.
At the break, Ange brought on Bissouma for Moore. A midfielder for a forward, at 1-0 down. One who isn’t very good at that. Genuinely just beggars belief. Not to say Moore was absolutely unbelievable, but his pass for Son was more than any other player did all half. Rewarded by being the only player withdrawn.
Ten minutes into the second half, a cutback from Porro found Son in space inside the box. Instead of shooting, he laid the ball off to Bissouma, whose effort was blocked. Alan Shearer said a confident Son would have got a shot off, and it is hard to argue with him.
Close to the hour mark, Villa had their best chance to make it 2-0. An attempt from Porro to cut out a John McGinn through ball actually helped deflect the ball into Ramsey’s path. Bearing down on goal, his effort was saved by Kinsky’s shoulder. Good save.
One minute later, Bentancur was given a yellow card for stopping Rogers on the break. The first time he was within 10 yards of the England international all game. How on earth have Spurs continued to neglect the number six position? Gross negligence.
Then, two minutes after that, Bergvall was booked for a foul on Ramsey. Once again Spurs just not able to get close to the Villa midfield.
After 64 minutes, it became 2-0, with Rogers tapping in from close range. Another competition exited. Europa League or bust. How depressing.
With a little under twenty minutes to go, excellent link up play from Rogers and Marcos Asensio around the Spurs box lead to the latter shooting just off target. Spurs could not live with him all game, a real lesson.
Not long later, Ramsey had yet another one on one. About two passes after winning the ball back is all it took for another one on one. Not for the first time, Kinsky did stand tall. Poor mistake for the opener, but some good saves since to his credi.t
With 13 minutes left, Spurs had a really good opportunity. A fizzed in ball from Porro found Danso at the far post, but he saw it late and his swinging effort went wide of the goal.
In stoppage time, a Kulusevski cross was poked home by Tel, with a really well taken finish. If only they could have done that much earlier. Left it too late.
That would be that, and Spurs were dumped out of the FA Cup
That was absolutely pathetic. Not hearing anything about injuries. Villa had their three first choice centre backs out, their right back out, their star striker out. All missing. Yet, Spurs created two presentable opportunities all game – one of which fell to a central defender, who didn’t see the ball until it was too late. Oh, and the first was created by a player taken off at half time with no injury.
Spurs are not going to magically become a good football team overnight with a change of manager. Ange has not been properly backed. That can be true. But it can also be true that this is simply unacceptable. There can be no complaints about a sacking – and that is coming from a previously huge Ange defender.