Tottenham vs Aston Villa - Premier League RECAP: Unai Emery has a birthday to forget with Dominic Solanke hitting double before James Maddison gets in on the act with stunning free kick

Well, I was not expecting that.

While I thought Tottenham had a good chance of winning that game, I did not expect them to do it in that manner.

Especially when half-time came and they were one goal down after Morgan Rogers' opener. There were also boos from the crowd as Spurs players went into the dressing room.

It didn't take long for the noise to turn positive, though, and after Brennan Johnson's early equaliser after the interval, Tottenham had a field day.

Dominic Solanke proved he has been well worth his big transfer fee with two striker's goals, while James Maddison polished off the victory.

For Aston Villa, that is one of the most damaging defeats they have suffered in the Unai Emery era.

Anyway, I need to shoot now - Old Trafford awaits.

Thank you for hanging with me in what was a very eventful start to 'Super Sunday'.

John McGinn, Aston Villa captain:

We've got to keep our heads a wee bit in there and have some perspective. Many teams will come here and suffer that defeat. It got loud. Probably as loud as I've heard it as an away player.

It's about staying positive. Spurs beat us 4-1 last season and we finished above them. They punished our mistakes. We had a chance at 2-1 to equalise.The third one was a mistake and then a great free-kick from the fourth.

Tottenham just love a comeback, don't they?

Since the start of last season, Spurs have won 10 Premier League matches in which they conceded the first goal.

That's the joint-most of any team, along with Manchester City. They've won three of their last four after going 0-1 down.

This is very similar to what Liverpool used to do under Jurgen Klopp and that worked out for them very well.

It's not great for the health of the fans, though...

I bet Unai Emery is not a fan of Dominic Solanke.

He always does damage to his Aston Villa side and he did it again today with two crucial goals against them.

Solanke has now netted four goals against the Villans since Emery arrived at the club in 2022.

No other player has scored as many against them in that time.

Dominic Solanke, Tottenham goalscorer, speaking to Sky Sports:

We stuck with it. Against Palace, we went down and did not react in the right way, but today we just did that. It all came together in the second half. We adapted a bit to the way they were playing. In the second half, we were able to regroup.

When we are playing well we can score many goals, to day showed that. With the way that we play, it's a joy. We have had some great games but we haven't managed to do it the whole season. That is something that we have to put right in the future.

What a week it has been for Tottenham, eh?

First a win over Manchester City in the cup and then this hammering of their top four rivals Aston Villa.

Yes, they had to come from behind again, but that second-half display is one for them to savour.

When they turn up like they did today, not many teams can handle them.

Now they just need consistency.

This is what you call the cherry on top.

I thought Dominic Solanke would get the chance to take this free-kick for his hat-trick.

Well, James Maddison proved why he is the set-piece specialist at Spurs.

It's one hell of an effort from such close range - a really magical goal to put the shine on a top display.

A mammoth win for Tottenham, a damaging loss for Aston Villa.

Spurs produced an incredible comeback in that second half to ship four past their top-four rivals.

Goals from Brennan Johnson, a Dominic Solanke double, and James Maddison made it the perfect day for them.

What a week for the north London side.

The Tottenham fans are now serenading Ange Postecoglou so I am guessing he is back in their good books.

In the away end, though, it looks like some of the Aston Villa supporters have seen enough.

Breathtaking Tottenham second half display here. Postecoglou has made some big decisions - namely taking Son off.

But fair play, his side has been excellent. Emery will go home shellshocked. This game was under their control, yet they go home battered and bruised as Spurs brilliant onslaught.

That's why!

That is a peach of a free-kick from James Maddison to turn this comeback win into a thumping one.

Maddison manages to get the free-kick up and over the wall but also dips it in time to land in the back of the net.

It doesn't get much better than that.

A chance for a hat-trick?

Dominic Solanke is hacked down by Diego Carlos and Tottenham have a free-kick just outside the box.

Surely Solanke is the one to take this?

Maybe not, James Maddison looks like he is going to pull rank on this one.

Dominic Solanke, that is so brilliant.

There are huge cheers as Dominic Solanke chases back to win back the ball and get Tottenham back on the attack.

Brennan Johson is then fouled by Jaden Philogene and the hosts can count down the clock.

Tottenham really want to protect this lead.

They have abandoned their high line and are now just sitting deep in their own box.

I mean, it's not what we are used to but it's certainly working.

Wow...

There are 10 minutes of stoppage time for Aston Villa to hunt down these two goals.

The Tottenham fans groan as the board goes up... their past experiences mean they are nervous.

Fairly understandable.

The Tottenham fans are loving life right now.

There are ironic cheers as Aston Villa put the ball out of play by mistake.

The visitors are giving it a crack but just don't look like doing any damage going forward.

This really has been one hell of a turnaround from Tottenham.

I really doubted them when the second half got underway but they have battered Aston Villa from pillar to post.

The visitors have barely made a dent in the other direction, even now they are struggling despite the changes.

Oh no...

That goal will be Richarlison's last action as he pulls his hamstring while making the assist.

He hobbles off to be replaced by James Maddison. A short but brilliant cameo.

Destiny Udogie also comes off with Archie Gray replacing him.

Meanwhile, Unai Emery responds with a triple substation with Boubacar Kamara, Leon Bailey, and Jaden Philogene all coming on.

Youri Tielemenas, John McGinn, and Jacob Ramsey are the ones hooked.

Dominic Solanke does it again!

I owe Richarlison a huge apology, he has proved my post from a few minutes ago to be very wrong.

The Brazilian does brilliantly down the left and pulls the ball across the area for Solanke to tap home.

That should be the job done now.

The goal will stand!

Dominic Solanke times his run to perfection and Dejan Kulusevski's pass was truly brilliant.

Spurs have come from behind at home in the Premier League for the eighth time this year. Incredible.

What do I know!

Tottenham have completed the turnaround and it's a delightful chip from Dominic Solanke.

It's a well-worked move that is shifted into his path in the box, but is he offside?

VAR will most certainly check this.

The life really has been sucked out of this stadium since all the injuries and substitutions.

The Richarlison switch really hasn't worked for Tottenham, so far. I'm really not sure why he took Son Heung-Min off.

Oh dear...

Morgan Rogers can't continue after picking up that knock and he hobbles off to the despair of Aston Villas fans.

But there is no need to worry as his replacement is super sub John Duran.

Pape Sarr really does fancy his chances from distance, doesn't he?

The Spurs midfielder has another pop from just outside the box and it's a decent effort.

But he bends it just wide of the far post.

There are then boos as Morgan Rogers goes to ground again after being taken out by Sarr accidentally on the follow-through.

Aston Villa have regrouped after that break in play and are now playing much better stuff.

Lucas Digne fancies his chances and has a go from outside the box, but Diego Carlos sticks a foot out and tries to divert the ball into the far corner.

He just ends up blocking the strike, though...

Another injury...

The Totttenham fans are booing again as it takes just 10 seconds after the restart for an Aston Villa player to go down.

Amadou Onana has a clash of heads with Pape Sarr but then continues his run before going down.

The momentum of this game has well and truly gone.

Matty Cash seems to have a problem too and his match is run, he is replaced by Diego Carlos.

Moments later Cristian Romero limps off behind him and Ben Davies comes on in his place.

That's a major blow for the hosts.

Another card for a Tottenham defender.

Cristian Romero gets his customary booking for taking out Morgan Rogers on the counter.

He looks like he has hurt himself in the process, though.

Son Heung-Min is being taken off...

I'm absolutely stunned, he has been imperative in Spurs' play this half and even got the assist too.

It seems he is just as bewildered as me as the board goes up showing his number.

But off he goes to be replaced by Richarlison and Rodrigo Bentancur also comes off for Yves Bissouma.

Ooooooft, that's some hit from John McGinn.

The ball comes his way and he has time to line up a big hit, and my word does he hit it.

The Aston Villa captain rifles the ball toward the top corner but it fizzes just wide of the mark.

We finally have our first yellow card in this match.

Pedro Porro is the unlucky recipient but I mean, it's fully deserved as he cleans out Ollie Watkins.

No complaints from the Spurs man.

Tottenham are feeding off the energy the crowd are giving them now.

That refereeing decision to stop a Tottenham attack woke up this stadium, and now Spurs are reaping the benefits.

This place is rocking and so is Aston Villa's defence.

Tottenham have come out all guns blazing this half, my word.

They are not stopping at one and straight after scoring Spurs are chasing a second.

Destiny Udogie pulls the ball back for Dominic Solanke in the area and the striker hits it on the turn.

It's a brilliant strike but Emi Martinez does well to get low and hold onto the ball.

It must have been one hell of a team talk at half-time by Ange Postecoglou.

What an equaliser that is!

Son Heung-Min whips in a delicious ball for Brennan Johnson to pounce on and the Welshman obliges.

It's such a stunning cross and right at the start of this half Tottenham are back on terms.

We have a game now folks.

Oooft, that's gotta hurt.

Morgan Rogers is struck down by Rodrigo Bentancur but a foul isn't given initially.

However, as Spurs mount an attack Craig Pawson changes his mind and pulls back play.

The Spurs fans don't like that and this stadium has come to life.

This game has just been full of foulds, my word.

It takes 65 seconds for the first one of this half to be made and it's Ollie Watkins on Cristian Romero.

Once again, though, Craig Pawson does not reach for his cards.

Right, we are ready to get going again.

James Maddison did an intense warm-up during the break but to appears that Ange Postecoglou has not made any changes.

I wonder how long he will give his side before turning to the bench.

Hodd, Ireland: How is Solanke supposed to score when the players are rarely looking for him unlike when Kane played?

Dominic Solanke was pretty much non-existent in the first half.

The Tottenham striker only managed nine touches of the ball and had one effort that went miles over.

He needs to get involved if the home side are going to get back into this one.

Roy Keane, former Man United captain, speaking about the goal on Sky Sports:

Can the goalkeeper do better? The pressure had been building. It's not been great but it's a big moment, but you want the goalkeeper to command his six-yard box there.

Tottenham fans won't want to watch this video back.

Nor will their team's defence as it was a calamitous goal to concede, how did they not deal with it?

Morgan Rogers was in the right place at the right time to pounce on Spurs' mistakes.

Watch and enjoy, Villa fans.

Morgan Rogers is at it again.

The Aston Villa star scored his third Premier League goal of the season in that first half.

That's already as many as he managed in his first campaign at Villa last season.

A start in the making.

Boos ring around the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium...

The Spurs fans are not happy because as it stands they are set to lose their fifth Premier League game of the season.

The home side started brightly but Morgan Rogers' goal just after the half-hour mark as them trailing yet again.

I bet Ange Postecoglou will have a feisty team talk.

There will be just one minute of first-half stoppage time.

Usually, with that little amount nothing really happens, let's see if that's the case here.

Ohhhh, it really should be 2-0.

Ollie Watkins has had little to no service all half but finally, he finds himself with the ball in the area.

Watkins tries to drive the ball into the far corner but Vicario just watches it roll comfortably past the post.

He should do much better there.

How has Rodrigo Bentancur avoided a booking there?

He comes across and cleans out Amadou Onana with a late sliding tackle.

It's almost always a yellow card but Craig Pawson decides to keep it in his pocket.

Utter madness.

A statistic has just been shared that Tottenham have conceded first in 12 of their 14 Premier League home matches in 2024.

That's just crazy...

They have won six of those games, but can they mount a comeback today?

So far, they have not responded to the goal that well.

This half has just encapsulated Tottenham's problems this season.

They had been on top for the first 30 minutes but had not taken their chances.

Aston Villa then go up the other end for just two minutes and find the back of the net.

Football's a funny old game.

Aston Villa lead against the run of play!

It's a messy goal from Tottenham's perspective but Aston Villa will not give a single hoot.

A corner is whipped in low toward Vicario and Pedro Porro doesn't deal with it. It then goes through to Morgan Rogers to tap home from two yards out.

He will never score an easier goal than that.

Oh, my word, so close to an opener from Amadou Onana.

The resulting corner is cleared but the ball is whipped back in and Onana leaps like a salmon to meet it.

He gets one hell of a header on it but it crashes against the post.

Onana can't believe it's not gone in.

That's much better from the visitors.

Jacob Ramsey does brilliantly on the left and decides to cut inside before unleashing an effort from range.

This one is actually heading in target before it takes a big deflection and goes over the bar.

I've found myself saying 'don't shoot' whenever a Tottenham player has the ball outside the area.

It's all they have been doing and every single one has gone way over the bar. Well, except one actually.

They decide to work the ball about instead this time but eventually, Brennan Johnson is flagged offside.

Maybe they should have just shot.

Aston Villa can't get out of their half, or even their own box, at the moment.

Tottenham are all over them like a rash, but Villa are just sitting in and staying strong.

I'm sure the counter will come into play soon.

Yet again, we have another long shot.

This one is a bit better from Rodrigo Bentancur as he actually gets it close to the goal.

Not close enough, though, as it skims the roof of the net and brings an 'ooo' from the crowd.

Tottenham are starting to ramp up the pressure now.

Pape Sarr wants to replicate his midweek heroics, but this time from a long way out.

He drives the ball toward goal but Brennan Johnson sticks a foot out to put Emi Martinez off balance.

But luckily for the Argentine, Johnson's touch takes all the pace out of the strike and he manages to recover and collect.

The Welshman was offside anyway.

My word, these shots are getting even worse.

Rodrigo Bentancur is the next player to blaze the ball miles over the bar and it brings ironic cheers from the away end.

Pretty much every single shot has been a sighter, so far.

Blimey, Brennan Johnson is a speedy boy.

Dejan Kulusevski tries to slide in Johnson on the right as Tottenham break away quickly.

But he overcooks his pass and the chance looks like it's gone.

Somehow, though, Johnson manages to get to the ball after busting a gut and wins a corner.

The Spurs fans loved that!

Thanks, referee, that will certainly do it.

The Tottenham fans get involved as Rodrigo Bentencur gives away a clear foul on John McGinn.

The Spurs fans aren't happy though and make that heard. Referees always know how to get a flat atmosphere going again.

This crowd is practically silent.

Dominic Solanke has a half-chance from a free-kick but heads way over the bar.

It brings a quick and quiet chant from the Spurs faithful but then back to silence.

They just need something to liven it up.

Bright opening 10 minutes here, both sides having spells of pressure. Villa probably shading it right now.

As a footnote, Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou says James Maddison will definitely come off the bench today. That’s some promise to make before a bad has even been kicked.

I must say, this game feels a little bit flat after a fast-paced start.

I'm not sure whether it's just the Sunday feel to the atmosphere inside here or the football just hasn't been great.

Either way, I hope it improves because not too much is happening at the moment.

I think I have just heard the ball hit the roof...

Pedro Porro's eyes light up as the ball bounces his way on the right-hand side of the area.

It sits up invitingly but Porro gets his shot all wrong and ends up shooting for the stars.

Not his finest effort.

Aston Villa have started well here.

Once again they set their sights on the Tottenham goal as a tantalising ball is whipped into the box.

Ollie Watkins rushes to get on the end of it but he just doesn't react quickly enough.

If he got a toe to that it would have been 1-0.

It takes just two minutes for the Spurs fans to switch their chants to groans - that must be a new record?

Spurs give the ball away at the back but luckily for them, Morgan Rogers blasts the ball miles over the bar.

It goes closer to the roof of the stadium than the net.

The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is in fine voice.

The fans chant 'Oh, when the Spurs go marching in' at the top of their lungs just before things get underway.

Then as Morgan Rogers gets the ball rolling there is a huge roar from the stands.

This is going to be tasty.

Oh, I am pumped for this.

The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium has 'Seven Nation Army' blaring out of the speakers as the two teams come out of the tunnel.

I absolutely love that song, I always used to use it when I was to exercise to motivate me.

Sadly it's ruined by the Premier League anthem...

Unai Emery, Aston Villa boss, speaking to Sky Sports:

My first message I am sending everyone is 'I want to break our levels always higher'. I am dreaming and I want to work to try and get my dreams. My dream is to get the best possible at the club I am at and the targets that we have.

To play in Europe, to play in the Champions League - my dream is to be a winner as a coach in the Champions League. Hopefully with Aston Villa.

The Premier League is very difficult to win because at the moment there are three teams who are being consistent - Manchester City, Liverpool, and Arsenal.

But, here Leicester won and when Leicester won the Premier League it was very difficult and maybe impossible. This is the reason in football it is not impossible. You can dream and you can work hard to try and get it.

How excited are we all?

I for one am absolutely buzzing that kick-off is now just over 10 minutes away.

The teams have done their warm-ups and are now being given their final team talks before kick-off.

I wonder what is being said by the managers...

This is a very nice touch from Aston Villa.

The players are paying their respects to Valencia which have suffered from unprecedented floods in the past week, which have seen over 200 people die.

The Villa players are warming up in shirts that have 'Fuerza Valencia' written on the front.

I think we have to talk about this man - Emiliano Martinez.

The Aston Villa shot-stopper is back between the sticks today for the first time since taking home Yashin Trophy at the Ballon d'Or awards.

He made history by winning the trophy in back-to-back years after his exploits for both Argentina and Villa.

Surely that means he is the best goalkeeper in the world, right?

Well, not everybody sees it that way and there has been much debate about whether he is truly the world's number one.

But I don't think he has anything left to prove, personally.

Chris Sutton, It's All Kicking Off! co-host, on BBC Sport:

Spurs have won eight of their past 10 games in all competitions, which is pretty good I think, but there is always this underlying 'Spursy' or 'typical Spurs' label they get given whenever they slip up.

They will dominate the ball this time but I have no doubt that Villa will score, because they carry such a threat and their front players will definitely have their moments in this game.

Excitement is starting to build in north London.

Fans are starting to flock to other Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and they all look relatively happy to be there.

I mean, who wouldn't feel like that. The build-up is the best part half the time due to the anticipation of what's to come.

Not everybody can be happy come the end of the match, though...

Guys, I think we should expect some goals today - a lot of them.

Whenever Tottenham are involved there seem to be a few, they just like to entertain us.

Sometimes it's to their own detriment, though.

Spurs have only got one clean sheet in their last 19 Premier League games at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Yep, you read that right.

The defensive stats get worse, though. Tottenham have conceded first in 11 of their 13 home Premier League matches this calendar year.

However, it's not all bad - they came back to win seven of those games.

It's also going to be a special day for Lucas Digne.

The Aston Villa full-back will make his 200th Premier League appearance when he comes out of the tunnel at 13:56 GMT.

Specific, I know...

58 of his 199 appearances so far have come since joining Villa in January 2022.

A landmark day for the 31-year-old.

You've got to look smart on your birthday, haven't you?

Unai Emery has certainly dressed up for the occasion but is also looking laser-focused on the afternoon ahead.

I bet he hasn't even been thinking about his special day...

The return of captain Heung-min Son arrives as a big boost to Tottenham following injury. The Korean, the team’s talisman, has suffered with issues of late but Spurs are always a threat with Son in the team.

James Maddison’s omission is interesting. Ange Postecoglou obviously fears the balance in his midfield with Maddison in it, particularly against a team of Villa’s quality, isn’t quite right.

Let's all sing for Unai Emery -Happy Birthday to you... yeah, you get the gist.

I have just been informed that it's Unai Emery's birthday and he turns 53 years old today.

I'm sure the perfect present for him would be to walk away from London with three delicious points.

A loss, however, would certainly ruin his special day.

Either way, I hope he is given some birthday cake on the bus ride home tonight.

London is truly Aston Villa's home away from home.

The Villans absolutely love a trip to the capital, they usually come away with their fair share of points.

In fact, Villa have only lost one of their 13 Premier League games in the capital under Unai Emery.

It was a damaging 5-0 loss at Crystal Palace on the final day last season, but they had already qualified for the Champions League.

Can they get the job done in London once again?

Alan Shearer, former Newcastle striker, speaking to Betfair:

Spurs are back at home after a great win in the League Cup at Man City, but they’ve struggled recently at home when Villa come to town.

Villa did have a poor result in midweek, and it wasn't a great result last weekend against Bournemouth with them conceding so late, but I think Unai Emery will go to Spurs and get the three points.

Smile and wave boys, smile and wave...

I hope you all got that Madagascar reference, I really do. It's such a great film.

Anyway, it looks like Son Heung-Min is happy to be back in the starting line-up.

Meanwhile, Fraser Forster is too busy tucking into his own fingernails.

Ange Postecoglou makes just three changes from the side that beat Manchester City in midweek.

One of those is enforced as Mickey van de Ven misses out through injury, with Destiny Udogie replacing him at right-back.

It means Radu Dragusin keeps his place in the back four after an impressive display in midweek.

Pedro Porro and Son Heung-Min also come in.

Unai Emery rings the changes.

Well, it was to be expected after the line-up he fielded against Crystal Palace in midweek.

John McGinn is the only survivor from the team that started that game with Emery making 10 changes

Jhon Duran drops back to the bench.

Unai Emery, Aston Villa boss, speaking on Friday:

With my experiences, when I am thinking for the next match, I am wrong. My focus is on the next match and I am thinking only about this. Sometimes I am planning for the weeks coming or months, but I want to learn with experience.

I tell my players to try to be focused on the next match. It is about which players are the best to play the match against Tottenham. For me, the focus is on the match against Tottenham.

Every match we are playing, we are trying to identify our corrections, our mistakes, our process and we are analysing how we are now and how are they, with the players they have.

Today is a huge opportunity for Unai Emery's Aston Villa.

With Arsenal losing to Newcastle yesterday, the Villans can leapfrog the Gunners and go into third with a win today.

At the start of the season, people questioned whether Villa playing in the Champions League would affect their chances of getting into the top four.

Well, Emery's side have been answering it emphatically so far.

Villa have only lost once in the league this season and that was against Arsenal at Villa Park back in August.

They did however lose in the cup to Crystal Palace on Wednesday, so it will be interesting to see how they react to that.

If we know Emery's team by now, they usually respond pretty well.

Ange Postecoglou, Tottenham boss, speaking on Friday:

What we have to do before the game and after the game is stay really focused on continuing to evolve into the team we want to be.

At the moment in the league we have had some disappointing results, but only really one disappointing performance with the Palace game. It wasn't a great performance and we got what we deserved.

What we have to focus on is we continue to learn from that. When we have had disappointments we have bounced back straight away which I think is really important and part of the evolution.

It's not going to be a smooth ride but we knew that. We don't want to have too many times when we're not playing the football we want to.

It's been such a bizarre season for Tottenham so far.

I mean, they have thumped Manchester United away from home and beaten Manchester City in the Carabao Cup.

Based off of those results you'd think everything was going swimmingly - but it most certainly isn't.

Going into this weekend, Spurs sat 8th in the Premier League table on just 13 points, 10 behind then-leaders Manchester City.

After hammering their rivals West Ham a couple of weeks ago, they looked like they had turned a corner.

But then they went and lost to Crystal Palace away from home.

You just never know which version of this Tottenham side will turn up; they need more consistency.

Which will turn up today - Jekyll or Hyde?

Has everyone recovered from yesterday yet?

The Premier League just never ceases to entertain us and we have another belting day ahead of us.

Tottenham and Aston Villa love delivering a thriller, every match between these two is always a top watch.

Today is no different, that's for sure.

Tottenham will still be buzzing after their midweek cup win over Manchester City, but are also in desperate need of some consistency.

Meanwhile, Aston Villa are looking to bounce back from a rare defeat after being put to the sword by Crystal Palace.

My advice is that you strap yourselves in, it's going to be one hell of a ride.

Let's get this show on the road.