Son reaction to sub, Richarlison injury agony - 5 things spotted in Tottenham vs Aston Villa

Tottenham ensured it was a week to remember after recording a resounding 4-1 victory over Aston Villa in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon. in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday evening, made three changes to his Tottenham XI to take on Unai Emery's team.

Clear-cut chances were at a premium in the opening stages of the contest, . Despite the hosts creating the better openings, Villa opened the scoring on 32 minutes courtesy of Morgan Rogers' finish from point-blank range.

Tottenham restored parity on 49 minutes with a trademark Brennan Johnson finish at the back post following such an inviting cross from the returning Son Heung-min. The hosts were very close to going ahead a couple of minutes later as forced Martinez into a low save with the ball destined to go in.

Solanke was to get his goal 15 minutes from time with a cute dinked finish over Martinez after an incredible reverse ball from Dejan Kulusevski to play him in. It was to then get even better for the summer addition as he put the game out of sight in the 79th minute after tapping home cross from close range.

There was still time for Tottenham to net a fourth goal of the contest as James Maddison came off the bench to score direct from a free-kick in stoppage time. Here are five things we spotted in the game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium:

Team selection

Postecoglou always had a big call to make over his midfield three to take on Aston Villa following the team's struggles at Crystal Palace seven days ago. In the 1-0 defeat at Selhurst Park, the Eagles made life very difficult for Spurs in the middle of the park and starters and were both hooked just past the hour mark.

Question marks surrounded Maddison's place in the team going into the game in south east London after Pape Matar Sarr's bright cameo in his place the previous weekend against West Ham. Opting for Maddison over Sarr against Palace last Sunday, this time Postecoglou selected the Senegal international to join Kulusevski and in midfield to take on Aston Villa.

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It meant Maddison was named on the bench for the second game in succession after his role as an unused substitute in Wednesday's win over Manchester City in the Carabao Cup. Speaking to Sky Sports ahead of the game, Postecoglou explained his decision behind Maddison's omission from the starting XI.

"They are all the same calls, irrespective," he said. "We have got to put 11 out there, we have got a good squad. Just what we need today, there is no doubt Madders will be coming on today and I am sure there will be an impact when he does."

Previously an undroppable in Postecoglou's team, . The former Leicester City man was introduced in the final stages of the contest and capped off his cameo in the best way possible with a fantastic free-kick that gave Martinez no chance in the Villa goal.

After having to settle for a place on the bench once again, Maddison sent a timely reminder to everyone of just what he can do.

Cash reaction

Matty Cash was named in the Aston Villa team to take on Tottenham on Sunday afternoon. The right-back has been in the headlines in recent meetings between the teams after leaving both Matt Doherty and facing extended spells on the sidelines.

Firstly committing a nasty challenge on Doherty in April 2022 that ended the Irishman's season, . Given Cash's place in Emery's Villa team, it came as no surprise to hear a number of boos from Tottenham fans every time he was in possession of the ball.

Spurs fans have clearly not forgotten nor forgiven the Poland international for the two challenges that sidelined the Tottenham duo.

Concerning trend

It probably came as no surprise to home fans that it was Aston Villa who opened the scoring in the 2pm kick-off. After all, Tottenham have this habit of conceding first at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in league fixtures.

In 14 Premier League fixtures at home in 2024, Spurs have shipped the opening goal on 12 occasions. Aston Villa, West Ham, Brentford and Arsenal have all scored first in N17 this term, with Everton the only team not to do likewise in the league.

, their tendency to go behind is giving them an uphill challenge in matches and it is something they really need to put an end to.

Shocked Son

Missing the last three games through injury, made his return to the Tottenham team to face Aston Villa. He was to have an impact on proceedings four minutes after the break with a sublime cross in from the left that allowed Johnson to convert.

The whipped delivery from the Spurs captain was so precise that all Johnson had to do was get into the right area and make contact with the ball. That proved to be one of Son's last involvements as he was substituted on 55 minutes, .

Son was extremely surprised to be the player to exit so early into the second half and he was picked up on camera pointing to his chest to question that it was indeed himself who was coming off. Once in the dugout, the 32-year-old could be seen chuntering to himself and then biting on the collar of his Spurs shirt.

Maybe a surprise call at the time, it proved to be the right one as Spurs ran out convincing winners and they didn't push their captain too much and risk another injury.

Fresh injury concerns

It was this time last year when the injuries started to pile up for Postecoglou's Tottenham team. Losing both and Maddison in the 4-1 defeat at home to Chelsea, the Dutchman had to watch on from the sidelines 12 months on for the visit of Aston Villa.

Losing Van de Ven in the opening stages of the Manchester City game during the week, Spurs also saw come off in the second half of the Carabao Cup tie. The World Cup winner was again to make way against Aston Villa, .

There was to be further bad news for Postecoglou and Spurs in the last ten minutes as Richarlison, who had only just returned from injury recently, was forced off with what appeared to be a hamstring issue. The Brazilian pulled up immediately after teeing Solanke up for his second of the afternoon and something seemed off as he leaned over the advertising boards before his teammates came over to join him.

It was his last action in the fixture as Maddison came on to replace him and help see the game out. Going on all the injuries Spurs occurred this time 12 months ago, Postecoglou will be praying for some positive news on the injury front this time around.

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