Ben Davies and Heung-Min Son send Spurs through
Tottenham kept up the momentum from their win over Chelsea with a 2-0 victory against Aston Villa in the FA Cup third round.
Spurs took their time to swat off a dogged Villa side, but late goals from Ben Davies and Heung-Min Son broke the visitor’s resistance. The result means Spurs have now won their last six matches in all competitions following a fruitful festive period. Aston Villa made four changes to their defeat at Cardiff, handing a debut to on-loan Manchester United goalkeeper Sam Johnstone. With Jonathan Kodjia away on African Cup of Nations duty, Gabriel Agbonlahor was handed a rare start and was tasked with leading the line on his own against the watertight Spurs back four. Gabriel Agbonlahor (left) and Toby Alderweireld battle for the ball
Vincent Jannsen was given a chance to impress from the start for Spurs but he looked a man shorn of confidence in the opening 45 minutes. The Dutchman has yet to score from open play since joining for £17m and James Chester dealt with his threat without breaking sweat.
Spurs dominated the ball but failed to test Johnstone, who was making his first senior start for over a year, with a single shot on target. Villa defended deep were relatively comfortable in keeping the two Spurs full-backs - Davies and Kieran Trippier - quiet. Jannsen’s afternoon was cut short on 59 minutes when he replaced by Alli with Son moving through the middle. The switch sparked Spurs into life as Son sprinted in behind Baker on 61 minutes but his 20-yard effort was tipped over the crossbar by Johnstone.
Villa’s best hope for a goal came from set-pieces and Chester nearly scrambled home from close range on 66 minutes but Cameron Carter-Vickers and then Alderweireld made last-ditch blocks.
It proved to be a big moment in the match as four minutes later Spurs were ahead. Substitute Georges-KÈvin NKoudou took just 90 seconds to have an impact as he curled a tasty cross in from the left flank, which found Davies, unusually, in the central striking role. Despite having never scored for the club, he skilfully flicked a header into the far corner.
The opening goal ended the game as a contest as Spurs found their attacking stride. Moussa Sissoko sprinted away down the left flank on 80 minutes and put the ball on a plate for Son, who swept the ball home from 12 yards to seal progression for Spurs.