Tottenham player ratings vs Aston Villa: Dominic Solanke shows predatory instincts in big Spurs win

Tottenham produced an outstanding and characteristic second-half comeback to beat Aston Villa 4-1 and underline their top-four credentials.

Trailing to Morgan Rogers’ goal from a corner, Spurs flew out of the blocks after the interval and equalised when Brennan Johnson met Heung-min Son’s brilliant cross at the back post.

Dominic Solanke finished a slick move with a dink over Emiliano Martinez to make it 2-1 and the England striker converted Richarlison’s cross to give Spurs a cushion.

Substitute James Maddison added gloss to the scoreline by curling a brilliant free-kick in off the post in stoppage-time.

Here’s how we rated the Spurs players…

Guglielmo Vicario 7

May face fresh questions after Spurs conceded from a corner but it was a collective failing from Lucas Digne’s whipped dead-ball. Did not have a serious save to make.

Pedro Porro 7

Inadvertently headed on Digne’s corner for Villa’s goal. Committed defensively but booked for a lunge on Ollie Watkins.

Cristian Romero 7

Appeared to injure himself flying into a rash challenge on Rogers. His passing was eye-catching.

Radu Dragusin 8

Excellent defensively, ensuring Spurs did not feel the absence of the injured Micky van de Ven.

Destiny Udogie 8

Made some important covering challenges and got forward purposefully, creating a chance for Solanke shortly after the equaliser.

Rodrigo Bentancur 8

Looked fired up after being injured by Matty Cash in this fixture last season. Lucky to avoid a booking but made some important challenges.

Dejan Kulusevski 8

Made the second goal with a cute through ball for Solanke in another all-action display at No8.

Pape Matar Sarr 9

Pressed well in an outstanding performance and was involved in the excellent build-up to both Solanke’s goals. Increasingly feels like one of Spurs’ most important players.

Brennan Johnson 8

Scored with another trademark finish at the back post to level the game and helped to create the second goal.

Heung-min Son 7

His brilliant cross made the equaliser for Johnson. Looked stunned to be withdrawn, suggesting it was not a planned change.

Dominic Solanke 9

Showed a predatory instinct in the penalty box to twice score in the second half, dinking a smart finish over Emiliano Martinez and tapping in from close range. Won the free–kick for Maddison’s lovely goal.

Subs

Yves Bissouma (Bentancur 56’) 8

Impressed again off the bench, snapping into tackles and helping Spurs to win the midfield battle in the second half.

Richarlison (Son 56’) 7

Made Solanke’s second goal with a cut-back but injured himself in the process.

Ben Davies (Romero 61’) 8

Made a really important challenge on Ollie Watkins ahead of the crucial second goal.

James Maddison (Richarlison 82’) 8

Offered a timely reminder of his quality with a brilliant curling free-kick.

Archie Gray (Udogie 82’) 7

Filled in at left back to give Udogie a welcome breather.

Not used: Forster, Bergvall, Werner, Davies, Moore.