Tottenham Hotspur Vs Aston Villa Player Ratings: Villa Secure Victory in a Thrilling 2-1 Encounter

What a pulsating FA Cup tie we were treated to. From our perspective, this match had everything. Aston Villa emerged as 2-1 victors over Tottenham Hotspur, but that scoreline barely tells the story of the drama that unfolded.

It was a classic game of two halves. Villa were simply breathtaking in the first period, slicing through Spurs at will. They established a commanding two-goal lead through Emiliano Buendía and Morgan Rogers. We thought it was game over at the break.

But Spurs, to their credit, came out fighting in the second half. They pulled a goal back through Wilson Odobert and threw everything at the visitors. The closing stages were frantic, but Villa's defence held firm to book their place in the next round. This match will be remembered for Villa's clinical finishing and Spurs' spirited but ultimately failed comeback. Let's take a look at the Tottenham Hotspur Vs Aston Villa Player Ratings.

Tottenham Hotspur Player Ratings vs Aston Villa

Here's a look at the Tottenham Hotspur Player Ratings.

Goalkeeper

Guglielmo Vicario - 6.5: A mixed bag for the Spurs keeper. He made four saves, including a couple of decent stops inside the box. However, what stood out to us was his error that led to a shot. He never looked completely comfortable, and while not directly at fault for the goals, a more commanding presence might have helped settle the backline.

Defenders

Kevin Danso - 7.0: A busy evening for the defender. He was a rock in the air, winning three aerial duels, and made a game-high seven clearances. He read the game well with two interceptions. However, he'll be kicking himself for missing a big chance from a set-piece which could have changed the game.

Pedro Porro - 7.5: We thought Porro was one of Tottenham's best performers on a difficult night. He was immense defensively, winning all five of his attempted tackles and making a crucial clearance off the line. He also tried to get forward, creating one chance and completing a dribble. A real fighting performance.

Ben Davies - 6.5: An okay, if unremarkable, performance from the Welshman. He was tidy enough in possession, with 79% pass accuracy, and created one chance. Defensively, he was steady but didn't make a huge impact. It was an average display in a game where the Spurs needed more.

Micky van de Ven - 6.5: The captain led a defence that was ultimately breached twice in the first half. He was strong in his duels, winning five out of six, and his distribution was decent, especially his long balls. However, as the leader of the backline, he has to take some responsibility for the chaotic first-half defending.

Midfielders

João Palhinha - 7.5: An absolute monster in the midfield battle. From our perspective, he was everywhere. He contested 20 duels and impressively won 12 of them. Palhinha also made four interceptions and six tackles, constantly breaking up Villa's attacks. His presence was a huge reason Spurs were able to mount a second-half fightback.

Xavi Simons - 7.0: A very tidy and creative display. Simons was the hub of many of Spurs' attacks, creating three key passes and maintaining an exceptional 96% pass accuracy. He tested the keeper with two shots on target. He just seemed to run out of steam a little in the latter stages.

Mathys Tel - 5.5: This was a deeply frustrating performance to watch. While he created four chances, his final product was abysmal. What really caught our attention was losing possession a staggering 18 times and being dispossessed on six occasions. For all his effort, he was far too wasteful in crucial areas.

Archie Gray - 6.0: A difficult day for the young midfielder. He struggled to get into the game and was largely a passenger. He picked up a needless yellow card and won only one of his five duels. A learning experience for him against a tough opponent.

Wilson Odobert - 7.5: Tottenham's biggest threat and goalscorer. He took his goal with great composure, offering a lifeline in the second half. He was constantly looking to make something happen, firing off three shots on target. A very bright spark in a losing effort.

Forwards

Richarlison - N/A: It was a real shame to see him go off. His night was cut short by injury after just 31 minutes. He barely had a touch of the ball, so we can't fairly rate his performance.

Manager

T. Frank - 6.5: His team deserves credit for the second-half response, which showed character. However, his initial setup was completely wrong. Spurs were torn apart in the first 45 minutes, and that ultimately cost them the match. He made changes, but the damage was already done.

Aston Villa Player Ratings vs Tottenham Hotspur

Here's more details on Aston Villa Player Ratings.

Goalkeeper

Marco Bizot - 7.5: A confident and commanding performance from the Villa shot-stopper. He made four crucial saves, including an important one from inside the box, to preserve his team's lead. His handling was secure, and his two punches showed decisiveness. A very reliable last line of defence.

Defenders

Matty Cash - 7.5: A fantastic all-round display from the full-back. He was a wall in defence, winning eight of his nine duels and making five tackles. He also supported the attack well, creating a big chance. It was a complete performance before he was forced off with a knock.

Ezri Konsa - 6.5: A solid, no-nonsense performance at the heart of the defence. He made four important clearances and was strong in his duels. He kept things simple and did his job effectively without grabbing the headlines.

Pau Torres - 7.0: The Spaniard was the picture of composure. His incredible 98% pass completion rate tells you everything about his quality on the ball. He was so calm under pressure, rarely putting a foot wrong. A classy and intelligent defensive performance.

Ian Maatsen - 6.0: It was a bit of a struggle for Maatsen. He was often targeted by Spurs in the second half and looked a bit vulnerable. He lost possession 12 times and his impact in the final third was minimal. A tough outing for him.

Midfielders

John McGinn - 7.0: The captain put in a real shift for his team before being substituted. He was industrious, tidy in possession, and drew a couple of clever fouls to relieve pressure. He led by example with his work rate and tenacity, setting the tone for Villa's aggressive start.

Emiliano Buendía - 9.0: The undisputed Man of the Match. This was a masterclass. He was unplayable in the first half, scoring a brilliant goal and providing a clever assist for the second. What stood out to us was his intelligence and movement. Everything good Villa did went through him. The highest-rated player on the pitch for a reason.

Lamare Bogarde - 5.5: A very difficult evening for the youngster. He seemed overwhelmed by the occasion. His error leading to a goal was a major black mark on his performance. While he worked hard, he looked off the pace and struggled to cope with the intensity of the game.

Morgan Rogers - 8.0: A superb performance. He scored the crucial second goal with a composed finish just before half-time. Beyond the goal, his work rate was phenomenal, winning eight duels and making four tackles from an advanced position. He was a constant thorn in Tottenham's side.

Forwards

Donyell Malen - 7.0: Very effective during his time on the pitch. He provided the assist for Buendía's opener with a smart pass. He was a willing runner and caused problems for the Spurs defence before being substituted. A good, impactful contribution.

Boubacar Kamara - N/A: His game was cruelly ended by an injury after just nine minutes. A real blow for Villa and the player himself, with not enough time on the pitch to provide a rating.

Manager

U. Emery Etxegoien - 8.0: The manager got his tactics spot on. His plan to attack Spurs aggressively from the start worked to perfection, resulting in a two-goal lead. In the second half, his team showed the resilience and organisation needed to see out the win. It was a tactical masterclass from the Spanish coach.

Man of the Match

Sportsdunia's Man of the Match: Emiliano Buendía

Worst Performer

Mathys Tel for Tottenham was the worst performer.