Evening Standard
·10 January 2026
Tottenham player ratings vs Aston Villa: Xavi bright but issues remain as FA Cup dream ends for Spurs

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·10 January 2026

Some fighting moments, but nowhere near enough to prevent yet another home loss and FA Cup exit
Tottenham crashed out of the FA Cup at the first hurdle as Aston Villa secured a 2-1 win at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Villa took the lead after 30 minutes as Emi Buendia rifled home following good work from Donyell Malen.
The visitors doubled their advantage on the stroke of half-time through Morgan Rogers.
Wilson Odobert grabbed a goal back after the break, but Villa held on to progress to the fourth round.
Sam Tabuteau was at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to rate the Spurs players...
Made an unorthodox save from Matty Cash’s shot in the first half. Typically unsure of himself in possession. Could do little about either goal.
Was a step off the pace in the first half, and was shrugged off all too easily by Malen for Villa’s opener. Looked more assured after the break and made an excellent goal-line clearance.
Dominated in the air, but Villa had the run of him when they got the ball in behind. Struggled up against the physicality of Malen.
Effective when he stepped forward to win possession high up the pitch. Had to do more to stop the Villa onslaught in the first half.
Second start of the season and second in just under a week. The veteran defender was aggressive in the tackle and a willing runner in behind.
Plenty of bite and energy, but could not get anywhere near Villa’s midfield in the first half. Improved after the break. No one can doubt his effort - he made the most tackles of any Spurs player.

Tottenham midfielder Joao Palhinha tussles with Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins at full-time
AFP via Getty Images
Struggled up against the physicality and experience of Villa’s midfield in the first half. Booked early in the second half, but looked far more confident on the ball after the break as Spurs grew into the game.
Took his goal well, firing low past Marco Bizot in the Villa net. Picked up some good positions through the middle as he and Simons led the charge for Spurs early in the second half.
Tried to make things happen, dropping deep and driving with the ball. Was unlucky not to get an assist for Kolo Muani’s disallowed goal. Drew a good save from Bizot early in the second half before seeing a late goal disallowed himself.
Saw plenty of the ball, but struggled to do much with it. Gave the ball away for Villa’s second goal.
Tel has been one of Spurs’ better players recently, but this was a really poor outing from the Frenchman. Replaced in the 77th minute by Dane Scarlett.
Withdrawn after half an hour with a hamstring injury. Injuries are piling up at just the wrong time for Frank.

Richarlison goes off clutching his hamstring
Getty Images
Saw a goal disallowed towards the end of the first half. Used his body well to wrestle back possession and find Odobert, who fired home. Much better after a frustrating performance against Bournemouth.
Unable to make any impact so late in the game. Took just three touches. Shows where Spurs’ attacking options are at.
Unable to add anything off the bench. Took just four touches.
Back after nearly six months out, Frank said it would take some time to see the best of the English striker. His sole involvement was to foul Victor Lindelof and hand Villa a late lifeline.
Unused subs: Kinsky, Dragusin, Udogie, Byfield, Williams-Barnett









































