VILLA HIT BY THE ALLI SHUFFLE

TOTTENHAM’S nine changes were not the problem for Steve Bruce. It was the sight of Dele Alli climbing from the bench which delivered a piercing reminder that these two famous clubs are circling in different orbits. They have won the FA Cup 15 times between them, but Spurs, who have claimed the trophy eight times, have confidence and are upwardly mobile, while Aston Villa recover from years of neglect. For Mauricio Pochettino, this was a sixth win on the bounce and an eighth in nine games. His squad has such depth that, even when the team is flat, as they were in the first half, they still have options. Bruce had a quiet word with Alli as the England star was preparing to come on with an hour gone. ‘I asked him to come and play for us,’ said the Villa boss. ‘He said: ‘‘Some day, Steve, I’d love to join you’’. But £80million might be a bit too much for us. ‘He changed the game for them. He has that wonderful quality top players have. He finds a bit of space and opens us up. I wish he’d stayed sitting on his a***, but we have to accept it.’ Alli made a positive impact and so did Georges-Kevin Nkoudou, who created the opening goal within seconds of coming on. Left-back Ben Davies was in the penalty area and twisted to reach the cross from Nkoudou with a glancing header, which flashed inside the far post. It was his first Tottenham goal two-and-a-half years after signing from Swansea. Son Heung-min added the second, sweeping in from close range after a run and cross by Moussa Sissoko. Pochettino had planned to have Harry Kane on the bench in reserve, but Kane’s girlfriend Kate Goodland went into labour with their first child on the eve of the game. Their daughter Ivy Jane was born at 7.30am yesterday. ‘We send a big hug to Kate,’ said Pochettino. ‘It is fantastic for all our family. It was a difficult night for her, now it’s okay and they have a beautiful girl. I think Harry was more tired than her, his face was terrible, so we told him to sleep.’ Kane will return with Tottenham safely into the fourth round.