Express & Star

Tottenham 1 Aston Villa 2: player ratings - Emi Martinez shows worth as John McGinn impresses

Matt Maher rates the Aston Villa players after their climbed into the Premier League top four with a win at Spurs.

Published
Aston Villa's Pau Torres

Emi Martinez

Unlucky to miss out on the official man of the match prize to McGinn. On a day when Villa needed him to be excellent, he was.

Superb 8

Ezri Konsa

Overrun in the opening stages as Tottenham committed men forward. Looked far more comfortable after Emery’s half-time tweak.

Committed 6

Diego Carlos

A brilliant first-half interception to deny Son a tap-in summed up a performance when he always seemed to be in the right place at the right time.

Assured 7

Pau Torres

Missed a sitter in the opening five minutes but made no mistake with a much harder chance on the stroke of half-time.

Encouraging 7

Lucas Digne

Unlucky not to finish the match with an assist after Torres and Watkins both missed good chances. Got stronger as the game went on.

Solid 7

Matty Cash

A disappointing performance. Played in right midfield but seemed uncertain as to his exact position. Booked.

Off-Key 5

Boubacar Kamara

Booked in the first half but got better and better as the game went on. No shortage of energy and played his part in the winner.

Resilient 7

Douglas Luiz

Delivered an excellent ball for Torres’ equaliser. Much more of a factor in the second half after an opening period when he was too often overrun.

Determined 7

John McGinn

Nearly set up a goal for Cash in the opening 40 seconds. Faded a bit after that but returned with force in the second period.

Relentless 8

Moussa Diaby

His lack of sharpness summed up Villa’s first half showing. Missed a glorious chance to equalise on the stroke of half-time, before Torres scored.

Misfire 5

Ollie Watkins

Excellent finish for his goal. Unlucky to see a first-half header ruled out for the most marginal of offside calls.

Target 7

Substitutes

Youri Tielemans (for Diaby, HT) 7, Leon Bailey (for Cash, HT) 7, Jacob Ramsey (for McGinn, 90+1), Jhon Duran (for Watkins, 90+1) Subs not used: Lenglet, Moreno, Dendoncker, Iroegbunam, Olsen (gk).