The first was simply nothing football, which is what we have experienced many times this season under Thomas Frank. The second half was vastly improved, and we finally looked like a team that wanted to win the game. Some second half substitutions for Villa combined with them being able to very effectively slow down the pace of the game resulted in another home defeat, however, and leaves us out of the FA Cup already.
GK Guglielmo Vicario
As per recent games, Vicario got little help from his defenders for either goal. Looked reasonably comfortable for other shots and was better releasing the ball quickly to get us moving up the pitch. Had one moment which caused flashbacks to the Fulham game with a poor clearance leaving the potential for our opponents to lob the ball back into an empty net. This time it was not capitalized on but was concerning to see happen again. Rating: 6
RB Pedro Porro
In a first half where the team produced little going forward, Porro had a few exceptions with some good balls into the penalty area. Defensively, he was caught inside for the first goal but could have expected Archie Gray to track his man better to cover for him. Had a very good second half and showed great energy. Was one of the players whose commitment helped to push us back into the game after half time. Produced an excellent goal line clearance to keep us in the game when trailing 2-1. Rating: 6
LB Ben Davies
Back in the team as Frank switches up the left back position again, Davies produced a good overall performance. Did not get forward as much, however, as in his last appearance vs Sunderland. In the second half as we were attacking, Davies covered any breaks well, and as usual had very good positional awareness. Recent games have shown why Davies is an important and consistent member of the squad. Rating: 7
CB Kevin Danso
In for the suspended Cristian Romero, Danso always brings an improved aerial presence, and he was very effective in this respect again, both defensively and also having a half-chance from a corner at the other end. On the ball, Danso was less effective starting attacks, but this is of course not the priority in his position. Like Davies, he is a consistent performer when given his chance and followed the rest of the team with a disappointing first half followed by a much-improved second half. Rating: 6
CB Micky van de Ven
Was caught up in the chaos of the defending for Villa’s goals but generally played well throughout. One highlight of a very poor team performance in the first half was Micky winning a tackle in the middle of the pitch, which caused the ball to spin out to the sideline only for Micky himself to be the first to reach it and stop it going out of play. His speed and power are a combination we have relied on since he arrived and this was the case in both halves here. Also provided his increasingly common acrobatic clearances at times. Rating: 6
CM Archie Gray
Gray struggled to get on the ball and have an impact on the game. Too often Villa were able to play around him when attacking, and he lost his player tracking back for the opening goal. Some of the blame here must be with Thomas Frank as Archie Gray has been asked to play a very different role in each of the last few games. Having previously played as defensive midfielder and in the creative number 10 role, today Gray seemed tasked with dropping deep and instigating attacks from just in front of our center backs. This is a tactic to which he does not seem suited and resulted in long, slow high balls that were easily defended. Rating: 4
CM João Palhinha
Struggled in the first half and, like Archie Gray, Villa played around him too easily, particularly for the first goal. Had an outstanding second half, however, and was, along with Xavi Simons, the main force in driving us back into the game. At one point around the hour mark, he made 3 excellent, aggressive challenges, all of which won us the ball back in quick succession. If there is uncertainty about his permanent transfer, there should not be after the last few games. Rating: 8
RW Wilson Odobert
Scored our goal with a decent low finish and did get into some good positions in the second half for other attacks. Struggled to get involved in the first half and for other large periods of the game, though. Being effective in bursts has been something we have seen a lot of with Odobert and hopefully his performance at times here will boost his confidence in dribbling and taking defenders on. This is something the team desperately needs more consistently for 90 minutes. Rating: 5
LW Mathys Tel
One of the few who was able to get involved in our rare attacks in the first half. Had faded out of the game for a while by the time he was replaced but had a few promising moments up until then. Held the ball up well a few times in the second half and brought others into play much more effectively than in previous games. Like Odobert, is still inconsistent and needs to be able to drive at defenders from the wing. Rating: 6
AM Xavi Simons
The second half was the best performance we have seen from Xavi since he arrived at Spurs. At times his only issue was trying to do too much, but better to see this involvement than drifting out the game. Even in the first half, our most promising attack was created by Xavi taking the game to the opposition, winning the ball and then driving forward before playing in Kolo Randal Muani who was just offside. The second half was a lot more of this from Xavi who, for the time we were on top, was combining dominantly with Palhinha. Of course, this needs to be done consistently across a game, but this was good to see from a clearly talented player. Rating: 8
CF Richarlison
Unfortunately went off injured in the first half. Richarlison was not able to get involved much before then either as there was zero service to him. Replaced by Kolo Randal Muani after half an hour due to the injury. Rating: N/A
Substitutes: Kolo Randal Muani, Dane Scarlett, Dominic Solanke, Djed Spence
Muani chased the ball down well but struggled to be the attacking threat or focal point that could have troubled Villa consistently. One exception was a smart finish in the first half that was correctly ruled to be offside. It was great to see Dane Scarlett and Dominic Solanke get on. Solanke has been out for so long and Scarlett should have been used more in his absence. Good to see Frank put more strikers on the pitch but there were unable to trouble the Villa goal. Djed Spence came on for Porro in what seems to be Frank’s curious late substitute when we are chasing a game of switching out one full back for another. Was not involved enough in the game in the closing minutes as we attacked with longer passes.
Ratings: Muani (5), Scarlett (4), Solanke (4), Spence (N/A)