Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino sets sights on Arsenal scalp after Spurs beat Aston Villa to move fifth in Premier League
Tottenham Hotspur 3, Aston Villa 1
Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino last night immediately switched his focus to Sunday’s north London derby with Arsenal rather than dwell on a commanding victory over struggling Aston Villa which extended his side’s unbeaten Premier League run to 10 matches.
Spurs strolled into an assertive two-goal lead courtesy of strikes from Mousa Dembele and teenager Dele Alli before substitute Jordan Ayew set up a tense finale, which was doused by rejuvenated frontman Harry Kane.
Newly-appointed manager Remi Garde watched from the stands as bottom-of-the-table Villa were consigned to their seventh successive league defeat, while Tottenham moved fifth and just a point shy of Manchester United and a Champions League place.
“The next game is important and we need to keep our focus and win the next game,” said Pochettino. “In football things can change quickly. Our start is good but it’s not important, it means nothing.”
Pochettino also admitted that the club has a responsibility to ensure that 19-year-old midfielder Alli, who only came into the Spurs first-team set-up this season but has since represented England, remains grounded.
“We need to provide him with the tools to improve his game,” added Pochettino. “He is still young and I always say young players need to keep their feet on the ground. This is very important. When you have quality like he does you have to push him and try to improve his game. I’m very pleased with him.”
Villa’s defensive frailties were exposed in the third minute as Dembele fired through goalkeeper Brad Guzan from the corner of the six-yard box after out-muscling defender Ciaran Clark and bullying his way to goal.
A deflected effort from Harry Kane, who scored the first of his 21 Premier League goals last season against Villa on 2 November, was tipped over by Guzan, while full-back Danny Rose’s clipped shot from the resulting corner narrowly cleared the crossbar.
The hosts did not have to wait long for a second as former MK Dons midfielder Alli cooly controlled Joleon Lescott’s headed clearance on his thigh before dispatching a measured, low volley beyond a helpless Guzan in first-half stoppage time.
Villa were largely anonymous in attack until Ayew’s long-range attempt took a decisive deflection off Jan Vertonghen to leave Lloris stranded in the 79th minute.
Tottenham sealed maximum points deep into added on time as Christian Eriksen and Erik Lamela combined to find Kane, who rifled high past Guzan for his fourth goal in two games.