Tottenham v Aston Villa - player ratings

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Who stood out? Scroll through our player ratings from White Hart Lane

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Tom Farmery

11 April 2015

Standard Sport assesses the individual performances from Tottenham’s clash with Aston Villa at White Hart Lane.

Any chance Spurs may have had of qualifying for next season’s Champions League seems to have gone after they were beaten 1-0 by Aston Villa.

Christian Benteke’s first half header was enough to seal all three points and means Spurs are now seven points off fourth place.

Mauricio Pochettino’s side managed only two shots on goal in the first 20 minutes and that statistic would set the tone for the remaining 25 minutes of the first half as Spurs squandered chances.

First, Federico Fazio headed Andros Townsend’s cross over before Danny Rose couldn’t place his left-footed shot beyond Brad Guzan following Christian Eriksen’s pass.

Spurs were punished on 33 minutes. Leandro Bacuna controlled the ball just outside the Spurs penalty area. After taking the ball into space, he played in a dangerous cross and Benteke was able to outmuscle Fazio to head in off the post.

Their lead was nearly doubled shortly before half-time when Gabriel Agbonlahor hit the post after a brilliant run.

Spurs restarted the second half with more attacking intent and captain Harry Kane nearly equalised but he could only watch on as his left-footed curler went over Guzan's goal.

Pochettino attempted to give his side a better balance by replacing Nacer Chadli with Roberto Soldado. It worked for a short period but rarely did the partnership ever look like breaking down the impressive defensive duo of Ron Vlaar and Nathan Baker, who had come on to replace the injured Ciaran Clark.

Villa, who are now six points clear of the relegation zone, were nearly sent back to the Midlands with a 2-0 victory but Fabian Delph couldn't keep his composure to place beyond Vorm.

Sherwood's side weren't to leave White Hart Lane unscathed. Carlos Sanchez was sent off when he received a second booking for a foul on Rose.