Tottenham 4-1 Aston Villa (November 3, 2024) Match analysis

Two second-half goals from Dominic Solanke and a superb free-kick from James Maddison helped Tottenham Hotspur come from behind to beat Aston Villa 4-1 on Sunday. This ended the guests' seven-game unbeaten run in the Premier League.

Spurs climbed to seventh in the table with 16 points, two points behind Villa who remained in fifth place. Should Chelsea win or draw at Manchester United later on Sunday, Villa would drop to sixth place.

Unai Emery's Villa led at half-time through Morgan Rogers, but Spurs equalized shortly after the break when Brennan Johnson finished at the far post.

Solanke's two goals in four minutes, including a flowing team move that ended with a superb shot over Emiliano Martínez, secured victory before Maddison converted a free-kick in added time.

Emery, whose side looked comfortable in the first half, said he was disappointed with the result but not too worried about the manner of the defeat.

“We are disappointed and frustrated but we accept it,” Emery told Sky Sports. “We know our path, it’s 38 games, the league is very tight.”

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Villa's goal capped a dismal first half at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, as Rogers shot home from a yard out after Lucas Digne's corner was fired into the six-yard box.

Spurs captain Son Heung-min provided an assist on his return from injury, firing a superb ball over goal just after half-time which Johnson buried at the back post.

Ange Postecoglou's Spurs struggled to beat Villa in the first half, largely relying on long-range shots, but they increased their intensity in the second third and two quick goals from Solanke sealed victory.

His first was a fluid one-touch team move in which Solanke took advantage of Dejan Kulusevski's great pass and fired the ball over the onrushing Martínez.

Minutes later, a mistake from Villa defender Pau Torres saw Spurs storm forward again, and second-half substitute Richarlison set up Solanke, who scored his second goal.

Postecoglou was full of praise for Solanke, a £65million signing from Bournemouth this summer, describing his effort as “incredible”.

“I just can’t say enough about what he’s contributing to our team right now,” Postecoglou told reporters.

Maddison added a late spark, caressing the ball around the Villa wall and into the top corner from 20 yards out, past a helpless Martínez.

Spurs have bounced back well from last weekend's disappointing defeat at Crystal Palace, knocking Manchester City out of the League Cup in midweek, but Postecoglou was keen to stay grounded.

“You don’t fall off cliffs and climb mountains in a week,” Postecoglou said. “I’m fully concentrating on the long game here.”