Tottenham player ratings vs Aston Villa - Kulusevski, Lo Celso and Porro impress in defeat

Guglielmo Vicario

Couldn't do much about Torres' point blank header but did make his first real mistake since arriving at the club early in the second half. He let Bailey's shot squirm through his fingers but fortunately it bounced back off the post and rested against his leg rather than bouncing in off it. He kissed the ball in relief. Watkins' clinical shot was too good for him on the hour mark. Made a flying save from Digne's free-kick and again from Kamara's shot. 7

Pedro Porro

Picked out Udogie with an early ball over the top for a big chance and should have shot himself rather than trying to tee up Son not long after. Did get caught on the ball on the edge of his own box late in the first half. Sent a bouncing volley at goal in the second period that Martinez tipped wide and then hit the left-hand post with a low shot. A constant threat for Villa's defence. 8

Emerson Royal

Playing as a centre-back, he made an important sliding tackle in the Spurs box in the first half. Watkins breezed past him though and into the space between the Brazilian and Davies to score. Out of his natural position, he didn't do too badly. 6

Ben Davies

Started brightly with some good intercepting headers but lost Torres for the Villa leveller before the break. Sent a header at the other end on to the roof of the Villa net. 6

Destiny Udogie

Back in the line-up and lifted an early effort over the bar from Porro's pass. He showed what he can bring down the left flank once again, albeit with the odd rash bit of decision-making and had less of an impact as the match wore on. 7

READ MORE: Ange Postecoglou has a Tottenham player at his disposal who could now be impossible to ignore

READ MORE: Every word Ange Postecoglou said on Phillips injury, January transfers, Bentancur and Donley

Dejan Kulusevski

Playing in a deeper role, he showed plenty of quality. He teed up Gil for an early chance. He then curled a shot just wide himself. In between he had a great chance to score but curled his effort off the left-hand post when he could have just slotted it home. He then burst up the field on a second half break before playing a ball that Johnson couldn't quite slide home. Never stopped running and creating and deserved more from the game. 9

Rodrigo Bentancur

His first start since February and he was playing well, spraying passes around and putting Porro away for a chance. He was then on the end of a late challenge from Cash which ended his day around the half hour mark. 7

Giovani Lo Celso

Remarkably this was his first start since Nuno's last game against Manchester United in October 2021 and he marked it with a powerful slightly deflected half-volley from outside the Villa box to open the scoring. Really stepped up as Spurs' playmaker and most of what they did well went through him. 8

Bryan Gil

His first Premier League start since April and he had an early chance after running on to a Kulusevski back heel but the keeper saved. The Spaniard looked bright, albeit with a few moments when he should have shot instead of trying to find others. Did put in a great cross for Son that the South Korean just couldn't quite get his head to. A positive display but just needed the right decision made in key moments. 6

Son Heung-min

Played Kulusevski in for a big early chance. Curled home a shot before the break but it was flagged offside. Had the ball in the net again in the second half with the same outcome. In between he was inches away from getting his head on a great Gil cross. Had a third effort ruled out for offside when smashing in the rebound from Porro's effort that his the woodwork. Played in Johnson for an effort but didn't have much to work with otherwise. 6

Brennan Johnson

Involved in some bright moments with good movement but just couldn't force the ball home, including controlling and firing an effort that Martinez saved from point blank range. 6

Subs

Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg

Brought a different kind of game to the midfield in Bentancur's absence but he still played some probing passes and forced Martinez into a flying save with a shot from outside the box. 6

Oliver Skipp

Came on and added some legs and energy to the midfield. 5

Alejo Veliz

Replaced Lo Celso for the final minutes. N/A