Sun 08 January 2017, 20:10
Tottenham HotspurTeam is always key for Mauricio Pochettino and he was delighted to see a much-changed team finally get the better of Aston Villa on Sunday to book a place in the fourth round of the FA Cup.
Toby Alderweireld and Eric Dier were the only survivors from the 11 that started against Chelsea for this third round tie.
Mauricio stuck with a back three, Eric took over the captaincy and returned to midfield alongside the ever-impressive Harry Winks, who played his first FA Cup tie alongside fellow Academy graduate Cameron Carter-Vickers.
We dominated possession but creating chances was another matter as Villa stuck to their defensive guns. Villa showed why they’d only conceded two goals in one of Steve Bruce’s 14 matches ahead of this game and it was goalless after an uneventful first half.
Below: Mauricio speaks to Spurs TV
That changed in the second half as space finally started to open up. Heung-Min Son tested Sam Johnstone a couple of times and we finally capitalised on 71 minutes when Ben Davies headed home the opener from GK Nkoudou’s cross for his first Spurs goal. Sonny soon followed up with the second and that was enough.
“Villa had good organisation and made it difficult for us but I’m very pleased because we showed a solid performance,” said Mauricio.
“It’s true it wasn’t our best game but it’s always difficult for the players who are not involved regularly, they had the chance to play today, many played 90 minutes and fantastic, I’m pleased with them all.
“I’m happy because it was a great opportunity for those players to show their quality and push the level in the team.
A special message from Mauricio to @HKane after he became a father for the first time this morning! #COYSpic.twitter.com/dGgaOvZmge
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) January 8, 2017
“The players from the bench had a real impact and it’s fantastic to see how they all performed because we’re a team and that’s the most important thing.”
Meanwhile, Mauricio revealed that Harry Kane was rested after becoming a father on Sunday morning.
The draw for the fourth round of the FA Cup will take place on BBC and BT Sport 2 at 7.10pm on Monday night. We are number 26.
