Solanke's brace helps Spurs secure emphatic victory against Aston Villa | first division

Consider the steeliest, most resistant and structured version of Angeball. From opting for the power of Pape Matar Sarr over the silkiness of James Maddison in midfield, to finding the right motivating words when all seemed lost at half-time, this was a good day for Tottenham's romantic manager.

Ange Postecoglou's substitutions were successful, his tactics were much more effective than Unai Emery's anti-football strategy and Villa Astonheavy-legged after being evaded by Sarr, he simply had no answer to a thrilling Spurs comeback in the second half.

In the end it was like a victory for earning the right to play. While Villa were set to spoil, gaining a lead when a set-piece led to Morgan Rogers scoring just after the half-hour mark, Spurs combined their creativity with a physical advantage. His second goal, finished off by Dominic Solanke with a delightful shot over Emiliano Martínez, was a case in point: a glorious through ball from Dejan Kulusevski had created the opening, but it was significant that the play began with Ben Davies forcefully dispossessing Ollie Watkins and Sarr sweeping. Villa with one of many bursts through the middle.

“We accept the result,” Emery said, making no excuses after watching his team lose the chance to come third. There were too many mistakes from Villa, who looked jaded despite the players being rested during the week. defeat against Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup, and Spurs attacked.

Brennan Johnson equalized early in the second half, Solanke added a quick brace after some good work from Sarr, and there was even time for Maddison, who remained on the bench until the 82nd minute, to round off the scoring with a magnificent deep free-kick. in added time.

Not that Postecoglou, whose team rose to seventh place, was getting carried away. He was criticized after the blandness. 1-0 defeat at Palace last week, since Spurs knocked Manchester City out of the Carabao Cup and made a mockery of Villa's top-four aspirations. “You don't fall off cliffs or mountains in a week,” Postecoglou said. “It's all part of the same process.”

Progress here was measured by whether Spurs could fight off Emery's crafty team. Postecoglou had adjusted his tactics accordingly, Maddison sacrificing himself for the double shooting of Sarr and Rodrigo Bentancur in midfield, but at first it was a drain.

Spurs were limited to hopeful efforts from distance and the crowd's anxiety was palpable. Everyone could see what Villa wanted to do. They were happy to break up the game with a series of annoying fouls and there was no sign of their trademark high line. Emery had no desire to give Son Heung-min and Johnson space to run behind on the flanks.

The half unfolded predictably, Villa biding their time before winning a corner in the 30th minute. Cue the panic. Cue Austin MacPhee, Villa's set-piece coach, who takes center stage. The first ball was cleared but returned to Lucas Digne. He lifted a high cross, Amadou Onana headed against the post and Spurs pounced on the ball.

The pressure increased, Villa pressing into an obvious weakness, Rogers pinning Guglielmo Vicario on his line. The goalkeeper was blocked and Spurs broke when Digne sent a cross to the near post. Vicario prevented Bentancur from scoring an own goal, but Rogers crashed the rebound into the net.

There was little conviction in Spurs' appeals for a foul on Vicario. The concession made them nervous and they could have fallen further behind, only for Watkins to move away from an attractive position.

It was a fundamental mistake. Spurs increased the tempo after the break and equalized in the 49th minute. Son's cross from the left was a beauty, Pau Torres and Ezri Konsa were taken out of the game when Johnson reached the far post to convert.

Emery urged calm. The action was frenetic and Martínez had to make a good save from Solanke. Cristian Romero was injured in the process of cleaning Rogers.

With Radu Dragusin replacing the injured Micky van de Ven, Spurs played with their second centre-back pairing after Ben Davies replaced Romero. Emery introduced Jhon Durán in place of Rogers. Postecoglou had signed Richarlison in place of Son, who seemed unimpressed with the idea of ​​being protected after his recent injury problems.

But while Son muttered to himself on the bench, Spurs found a second wind. As the minutes ticked by, Davies came out to challenge Watkins. Sarr advanced and joined Johnson before Kulusevski unsettled Villa with a reverse pass to Solanke, who beat Martínez with a brilliant finish.

The Spurs had clarity and faith. They attacked Villa again, Sarr intercepted a loose pass from Torres and found Richarlison, who crossed for Solanke to score again.

Emery was slumped in the dugout when Maddison leaned over in the room. Spurs were rampant and Villa were overrun.