The back and forth nature of most Premier League games is often what leads many to suggest that English football’s top flight is, in fact, the best league in the world. As time goes on it feels like that point is becoming more and more validated, with Tottenham Hotspur’s dramatic 3-2 win over Aston Villa this afternoon serving as further proof of that.
Despite Tottenham’s eventual win it was the relegation strugglers who made the more positive start, with a Toby Alderweireld own goal handing them the lead less than 10 minutes into the game. Thankfully, not long after in the half, the big Belgian was able to make up for his mistake with a fantastic equaliser before Son Heung-min gave Spurs the lead. He saw his initial penalty saved after Steven Bergwijn won the spot kick, but he was on hand to tap in the rebound.
Bjorn Engels, who gave away the penalty, also made amends with an equaliser of his own in a game that Villa will feel like they should’ve taken something from. The eventual winner came in injury time with Son Heung-min racing clear and breaking the home side’s hearts deep into injury time.
Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho had the following to say about the big win.
“I thought we deserved to win but I think they did not deserve to lose. Villa played to win.”
On the Spurs penalty: “Steven Bergwijn, I don’t know if I call him naive or too honest – the referees tell us pre-match, ‘Don’t ask for anything, don’t surround me, don’t do the motion of the screen’. The action was there and it was a question of to be or not to be, and clearly it was.”
On Alderweireld’s contribution: “In a funny way I’d say he’s scored three goals: the own goal, his goal and then when he loses the duel with Engels. But he scored with a shot of his life.”
On the opportunity to get into the Champions League by finishing fifth after Manchester City’s ban: “Not just for us. A window opens for many teams. What seemed far, now the fifth place is not far. Arsenal, Everton, Sheffield United, Wolves, everyone will feel they have the chance.
Match Report
Aston Villa: Reina (8.5), Hause (6.5), Engels (6.5), Ngoyo (6), Targett (7.5), Luiz (7), Drinkwater (6), Guilbert (6.5), Grealish (8), Samatta (7), El Ghazi (6.5), Nakamba (7), Baston (5.5), Trezeguet (6)
Tottenham: Lloris (7), Aurier (6.5), Alderweireld (7), Sanchez (7), Davies (8), Dier (6.5), Winks (6.5), Moura (8), Alli (6.5), Bergwijn (8), Son (8.5), Fernandes (6), Vertonghen (6), Lo Celso (6.5)
Referee: Martin Atkinson
Goals: Alderweireld OG, Engels :: Alderweireld, Son x2
Yellow Cards: Guilbert, Nakamba
Red Cards: N/A
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