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Here are our Tottenham player ratings after their FA Cup exit at the hands of Aston Villa on Saturday evening
Tottenham fell to a 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa in the FA Cup third round on Saturday and here are our Spurs player ratings.
Thomas Frank stuck to his word and named a strong Spurs team. Without the suspended Cristian Romero, Kevin Danso came in alongside Micky van de Ven with Pedro Porro and Ben Davies the full-backs. Destiny Udogie was back on the bench following his recovery from a hamstring problem and so was Dominic Solanke after four-and-a-half months out with his ankle issue.
The hosts started brightly but were punished for slack defending 22 minutes in as it was all too easy through the middle for Donyell Malen as he turned, ran and passed to the free Emiliano Buendia, who sprinted on and crashed a shot home.
Spurs then lost Richarlison to what looked like a hamstring issue in the first half, with Randal Kolo Muani replacing the Brazilian.
Every time Spurs looked to be building something they opened up at the back and in first half added time Villa scored again. Mathys Tel gave the ball away on the edge of the Tottenham box and after a swift array of passes, a clever backheel from Buendia presented the ball to Morgan Rogers to fire home.
The hosts found a goal back nine minutes into the second half. Kolo Muani won the ball back in the Villa half, sprinted on and played in Wilson Odobert to strike a low shot into the bottom left corner of the net.
Spurs huffed and puffed but could not find another goal to keep themselves in the competition they first won as a non-league side in 1901.
Here are our Tottenham player ratings:
Guglielmo Vicario
Couldn't get near Buendia's powerful effort or Rogers' low shot. Everything else he had to do was pretty much routine. 5
Pedro Porro
Seemed to get caught on the wrong side of Malen for the opening goal. Made a great goal line clearance to deny Buendia in the second half and another sliding challenge in the box soon after. 6
Kevin Danso
Sent a header over and a shot wide at the other end of the pitch. Battled away without keeping Villa out. 6
Micky van de Ven
Captain for the night and he didn't do too much wrong and chased back to make some good challenges. 7
Ben Davies
Made a hat-trick of good early tackles, including one which sent Odobert away for a shot and another which culminated in a wayward Tel volley. Kept pushing and tried to help build the attacks in the second half even though he must have tired. 7
Joao Palhinha
Made some good interceptions and challenges in each half. Was particularly dominant in the second period. Spurs' best player by a distance. 8
Archie Gray
Left chasing shadows at times in the first half but played more of a part in the second period. 5
Wilson Odobert
Sent an early shot at the keeper from outside the box. Otherwise was ineffective until he burst to life nine minutes into the second half with a low strike past Bizot. His confidence was up after that and he had another effort saved.. Faded a little after that little burst. 7
Xavi Simons
Had flashes of inspiration in the first half including a run which ended with a Kolo Muani effort ruled out for offside. Upped his game in the second half and had two curling shots pushed away by the keeper. Was Spurs' chief creative outlet and had a goal ruled out for offside, which is was. 7
Mathys Tel
Some bright play down the left in the first half but it was his loose pass that gave Villa the ball for their second goal. Worked hard in the second half before coming off. 6
Richarlison
Barely touched the ball before pulling up with what looked like a hamstring problem. 4
Subs
Randal Kolo Muani
Sent an effort into the net from Xavi's pass but was well offside. Then won the ball back and played in Odobert to score. Set up Xavi for an effort that was flagged offside. Very hot and cold with his play but he grabbed an assist and had some key touches. 7
Dane Scarlett
Got involved without really making an impact. 5
Djed Spence
Wasteful in possession when he came on for the final minutes. N/A
Dominic Solanke
Returned to action after so long out and the ball just wouldn't fall at his feet in some good areas. N/A
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