Football can be a very cruel game. When it looked like Villa could very reasonably expect to take something from their visit to White Hart Lane, it all came undone when Jermaine Defoe scored via Caulker, who actually got credit for being in the way of a shot he knew nothing about that was going wide and instead ended up going in.
And some will wonder whether Paul Lambert got it right starting with Gabriel Agbonlahor and Christian Benteke up front, with Bent again on the bench, especially given the sitter Benteke missed at 51 minutes, heading wide with the goal at his mercy following a lovely ball in from Marc Albrighton.
Paul Lambert did seem to get the setup right, going wide in more of a 4-3-3 with Holman and Albrighton to counter Spurs’ width. While the home side had the better of the possession in the first half, 55%-45%, both sides had just two shots on target.
Spurs occasionally looked threatening with their speed and cohesiveness, but it hadn’t come to much through 45 minutes despite a bright start, and Villa could be pleased with their first 45.
And Villa started the second 45 well, with Vlaar missing just before Benteke’s chance went begging.
But, as in some other matches, we’ve seen Villa start the second half well, and then lose a bit of focus around the 60-minute mark. Whereas Andre Villas-Boas looked nervous in the first half, by the time Lennon scored Tottenham’s second at 67 minutes, he was much more relaxed following a 10-minute spell that saw the deadlock turn decisively in Spurs’ favor.
I won’t necessarily go into all the individual players’ performances, because it was one of those matches where everyone looked competent for the most part, and there weren’t necessarily any standout moments. Guzan played well again, and helped Villa save a little face with an outstanding save on a late Gareth Bale attempt, pushing it onto the far post and out to safety. Gabby worked hard, and had a great moment stealing the ball, and crossing it into Benteke’s feet, only to have the forward put it straight at Lloris. Vlaar showed the pace to run with Gareth Bale, and had a number of significant interventions.
But the worst of it was the bright Joe Bennett being carted off on a stretcher after tumbling with Lennon across the back line, getting his legs caught under him, and falling awkwardly. Barry Bannan, who had come on not long before, went to left back, Villa having used all their substitutes.
And Bennett had been unlucky on Lennon’s goal, showing him the outside, only to have Lennon shoot with both on the run and have the ball go through Bennett’s legs and into the far corner.
Spurs had their tails up, and Villa were understandably a bit crestfallen. Bent failed to make any impression when he came on for Albrighton at 67 minutes. Charles N’Zogbia had come on at the same time for Fabian Delph, and had one bright moment, showing a bit of trickery and then laying the ball off nicely for Holman, who Kyle Walker was forced to bring down for a yellow.
Accordingly, Spurs finished with 60% of the possession, and the shots ballooned to 11 on target, versus five for Villa, and 12 off versus three for Villa.
No reason to panic yet, though, I don’t think. Spurs are quick and know what they’re trying to do, and Villa played well enough for large stretches and indeed were unlucky not to find themselves one up.
But that’s football, and instead we’re left feeling a bit disappointed and perhaps a tad frustrated. As we’ve all noted, it’s about consistency and focus, and I think both will come. And while I do think Benteke is going to figure more and more, it will be an open debate amongst supporters whether Darren Bent should start the next game.
Me, I do believe Lambert’s making a point about physicality and work rate, and Benteke found himself in good positions and did work hard. But some will wonder if Bent would’ve tucked one or both of those chances away, and it’s a fair enough point.
Over to you.
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