Tottenham 2-0 Aston Villa: Ben Davies scores his first goal for Spurs to help secure Mauricio Pochettino's men an FA Cup fourth round spot
- Tottenham advanced to the fourth round of the FA Cup with a 2-0 victory over Aston Villa on Sunday
- Mauricio Pochettino made nine changes to side that beat Chelsea 2-0 in the Premier League on January 4
- Spurs struggled to break down their Championship opponents throughout a disappointing first half
- Dele Alli replaced Vincent Janssen on the hour mark and Tottenham immediately improved in attack
- Ben Davies glanced in a header to score his first goal for the club before Son Heung-min wrapped up the win
Tottenham's initial nine changes were not the problem for Steve Bruce. It was the sight of Dele Alli climbing from the bench which delivered a piercing reminder that these two famous clubs are circling in different orbits.
They have won the FA Cup 15 times between them but Spurs, who have claimed the trophy eight times, have confidence and upward mobility, while Aston Villa toil and try recover from years of neglect.
For Mauricio Pochettino this was a sixth win on the bounce and an eighth in nine games since the start of December and his squad has such depth that even when the team is flat, as they were in the first-half, they still have options.
Ben Davies scored his first goal for Tottenham to help secure a 2-0 victory over Aston Villa in the third round of the FA Cup
The former Swansea man wheels away to celebrate, while Aston Villa goalkeeper Sam Johnstone shows his frustration
Davies jumps in celebration after glancing in an inch-perfect cross from second-half substitute Georges-Kevin Nkoudou
Bruce had a quiet word with Alli as the England international was preparing to come on with an hour gone.
'I asked to come and play for us,' said the Villa boss. 'He said: "Some day, Steve, I'd love to join you". But I think £80million might be a bit too much for us.
'He certainly changed it for them. He has that wonderful quality that top players have. He finds a bit of space and opens us up. I wish he'd have stayed sat on his a*** but we have to accept it.'
Alli made a positive impact and so did Georges-Kevin Nkoudou who created the opening goal within seconds of coming on.
Son Heung-min wrapped up the game with a composed finish from inside the area nine minutes from time
Son celebrates his late goal with Tottenham team-mate Moussa Sissoko, who set-up the strike with a well-placed cut back
Son Heung-min and Moussa Sissoko shake hands with each other under the watchful eye of goalscorer Ben Davies
Nkoudou's opportunities have been fleeting since his £9m move from Marseille in the summer but his pace caught the eye and Villa flagged as Spurs switched from a back-three to an adventurous 4-2-4 formation.
Left-back Ben Davies was in the penalty area, and twisted to reach the cross from Nkoudou with a glancing header which flashed inside the far post.
It was his first Tottenham goal two-and-a-half years after signing from Swansea.
Son Heung-min, maddeningly wasteful at times in front of goal, added the second, sweeping in from close range after a run and cross from the right by Moussa Sissoko.
Villa, by this stage, were tearing forward in search of an equaliser, in stark contrast to their initial game-plan which had been all about containment.
Moussa Sissoko runs with the ball under pressure from Aston Villa duo Jordan Amavi and Jack Grealish
Johnstone made his debut for Aston Villa on Sunday after joining the club on loan from Manchester United
France international Moussa Sissoko evades a challenge from Mile Jedinak during the first half at White Hart Lane
Aston Villa defender Alan Hutton challenges for the ball with Tottenham forward Son Heung-min
Wingers Leandro Bacuna and Albert Adomah tracked back to monitor the Spurs wing-backs and Bruce's defensive unit provided good protection for Sam Johnstone, making his debut in goal on loan from Manchester United.
Almost a year had passed since Johnstone's previous senior appearance while on loan at Preston but this proved a gentle return with a first-half devoid of incident, even with Mike Dean in charge.
Johnstone did not have a save to make in the first-half but reacted well to deny Son, Harry Winks and Sissoko when Spurs improved after the break.
With Jonathan Kodjia and Jordan Ayew on international duty at the Africa Cup of Nations, there was a rare start up front for Aston Villa for Gabriel Agbonlahor.
'We've thrown him a mackerel,' said Bruce, ahead of the game, and, afterwards, the manager promised his 30-year-old striker a fair chance to revive his Villa career.
Football Association chief executive Martin Glenn (right) watches on from the stands during the FA Cup third round fixture
Aston Villa forward Gabriel Agbonlahor and Tottenham defender Toby Alderweireld chase after a long ball
Kevin Wimmer pulls back Alan Hutton during an uneventful first half at White Hart Lane on Sunday afternoon
'All along I knew I'd be losing two strikers,' said Bruce. 'So at the back of my mind was to say whatever's happened in the past, can I re-ignite Gabby?
'We've got him in some sort of shape and in the three months I've been here he's done everything to resurrect himself after what was a difficult time for him.
'I thought he lasted well and was a threat. It's up to him to grasp the opportunity.'
Bruce also confirmed interest in Nottingham Forest midfielder Henri Lansbury, who is out of contract at the end of the season. 'We believe he's for sale,' said the Villa boss.
South Korea international Son Heung-min jumps to evade a challenge from Aston Villa defender Nathan Baker
Aston Villa manager Steve Bruce and Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino watch on from the sidelines at White Hart Lane
Mauricio Pochettino gives instructions to Kieran Trippier on a largely frustrating afternoon for Tottenham
Aston Villa's best chance to seize the initiative came mid-scramble, early in the second-half, when the game was goalless. Cameron Carter-Vickers and Toby Alderweireld efforts in quick succession from James Chester and Agbonlahor.
After the euphoria of last week's win against Chelsea, the home crowd was subdued and their team needed a lift. Pochettino had planned to keep Harry Kane on the bench in reserve.
But Kane's girlfriend Kate Goodland went into labour with their first child on the eve of the game and their daughter Ivy Jane was born at 7.30am on match-day.
Tottenham's under-fire striker Vincent Janssen was once again unable to find the net despite a number of efforts
Tottenham's in-form midfielder Dele Alli watches on from the bench as his side struggle to break down Aston Villa
Aston Villa winger Albert Adomah attempts to take the ball past England international Eric Dier during the second half
Manchester United loanee Johnstone claims a high ball under pressure from Tottenham full back Trippier
Son fires a shot towards goal which Aston Villa defenders James Chester and Baker attempt to block
The England striker announced his news to the world via Twitter, moments after Spurs had completed the win in his absence.
'We send a big hug to Kate,' said Pochettino. 'It is fantastic for all our family. It was a difficult night for her and now it's OK and they have a beautiful girl. I think Harry was more tired than her, his face was terrible, so we told him to sleep.'
Kane will return with Tottenham safely into the fourth round thanks to the impact of Alli and Nkoudou.
Alli was given a huge ovation by the Tottenham faithful when he replaced Janssen on the hour mark
Wales international Davies is surrounded by his team-mates after breaking the deadlock at White Hart Lane on Sunday
Most watched Sport videos
- Blaise Matuidi and team welcome Julian Draxler to Paris
- Manchester United 4 Reading 0: Jose Mourinho gives his verdict
- Barcelona stars Messi and Suarez perform unique press-ups
- Arsene Wenger credits Preston performance after 2-1 win
- Jaap Stam's reaction to 4-0 loss to Manchester United
- Manchester United player Morgan Schneiderlin seen training hard!
- Virtual tour of Tottenham Hotspur's incredible new ground
- A look at the history of Halloween in 100 seconds
- Jose Semedo disagrees and thinks Ronaldo will return to the PL
- Semedo: Cristiano Ronaldo WILL return to the Premier League
- Zlatan strikes! Swede scarpers after spoiling Mhkitaryan's moment
- Amy Schumer leads the way at Trainwreck premiere in Germany
-
Sure you don't want to keep this one, Wayne? Rooney appears...
-
The day Jose Semedo's mate Cristiano Ronaldo turned the joke...
-
Sir Bobby Charlton's reaction to Wayne Rooney's...
-
Pep Guardiola backs down and admits fault for Manchester...
-
Gabriel's moment to forget, Danny Welbeck's return after...
-
Transfer news LATEST: LIVE Man Utd, Arsenal, Chelsea and...
-
Jose Mourinho reveals half time team talk to Marcus Rashford...
-
Chelsea 4-1 Peterborough, FA Cup RESULT: Antonio Conte's men...
-
Liverpool 0-0 Plymouth, FA Cup RESULT: League Two side earn...
-
Cohen Bramall is a move in the making as Arsenal pluck...
-
Preston North End 1-2 Arsenal: Aaron Ramsey and Olivier...
-
Chelsea recall Nathan Ake from his loan spell at Bournemouth...
Sissoko with yet another assist and on a great run ...
by PhillyHotspur 57