Aston Villa’s winless streak continued with a tough 4-1 loss to Tottenham Hotspur, leaving fans and coach Unai Emery concerned.
After draws and a loss in recent games, Villa hoped to break the pattern when Morgan Rogers’ first-half goal put them ahead at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. But Tottenham, under Ange Postecoglou, came alive in the second half, dominating the visitors with relentless attacks.
Tottenham’s comeback began swiftly with Brennan Johnson netting the equalizer from a Son Heung-min assist. Dominic Solanke then struck twice, followed by James Maddison’s precise free-kick, which sealed a disappointing outing for Villa. The defensive lapse in the second half exposed Villa’s vulnerability, but their attacking efforts, led by Ollie Watkins, were equally underwhelming.
Ollie Watkins’ Struggles
Watkins, usually a consistent scorer, has now gone three games without finding the net. Before this, he had scored five Premier League goals but was unable to break through Tottenham’s strong defense. Against Spurs, he had limited involvement, only managing 25 touches and missing two significant opportunities to change the game’s momentum. Additionally, he lost possession 12 times and made just seven accurate passes. Facing Club Brugge mid-week in the Champions League, Watkins will aim to regain his form and contribute to Villa’s offense.
Pau Torres: A Key Underperformer
Villa’s defensive shortcomings were highlighted by Pau Torres, who struggled to contain Spurs’ fast-paced attack. With Tottenham showcasing their offensive prowess, Torres appeared out of sync. He was partially responsible for not reacting quickly to Johnson’s equalizing goal, and his misplaced pass in the build-up to Solanke’s second goal gave Pape Sarr the chance to intercept and set up Richarlison, leading to Solanke’s crucial goal.
These errors were costly, leading Birmingham Live’s John Townley to rate Torres’ performance at 4/10, calling it a “difficult afternoon” for the former Villarreal defender. So far this season, Torres’ stats have shown room for improvement, with just one clean sheet in ten Premier League appearances. His average contributions include 0.4 interceptions, 0.8 tackles, and 2.8 clearances per game, numbers that suggest a need for stronger defensive efforts.
A Potential Change in Lineup
Emery faces a tough decision with back-to-back games, first against Club Brugge and then a challenging away match at Liverpool. Given Torres’ recent form, Emery might consider a defensive reshuffle, possibly resting the 27-year-old and bringing in fresh energy at center-back. Villa’s recent results show they’re struggling to maintain stability, so defensive adjustments could help strengthen their backline.
With Villa aiming to bounce back from this mini slump, Torres’ place in the lineup could be in jeopardy. Emery will likely weigh his options carefully, especially with the demands of Premier League and European fixtures. For Villa, finding consistency and regaining momentum are key as they continue their campaign.