Spurs Fan likely to lose Faith in Frank if He Keeps Playing ‘Baffling’ Duo After Villa loss
Thomas Frank may need to take a long, hard look at the balance of Tottenham Hotspur’s midfield after their frustrating 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa on Sunday afternoon. The loss — Spurs’ second at home this season — highlighted several key issues in the middle of the park, with two players in particular now facing serious questions about their places in the starting XI.
Heading into the game, Tottenham knew they couldn’t afford to slip up. Sitting five points behind Premier League leaders Arsenal, three points against Villa were crucial if they were to maintain pressure on their north London rivals. A victory would have cut the gap to just two points and pushed them above Manchester City, but instead, Frank’s men fell short despite making the perfect start.
Spurs took the lead within the first five minutes through Rodrigo Bentancur, who finished calmly after being found in space. However, the early momentum quickly faded as Villa grew into the match. Morgan Rogers equalised with a stunning strike before halftime, and in the second half, Emiliano Buendía completed the comeback with a curling effort that left goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario rooted to the spot.
Frank Must Rethink Tottenham’s Midfield Setup
While Bentancur and João Palhinha were involved in Spurs’ opening goal, neither midfielder could impose themselves on the game afterward. Frank’s decision to persist with the duo as a double pivot has provided defensive security in recent matches, but it also appears to have come at the expense of creativity and attacking fluidity. With young midfielders like Pape Matar Sarr, Archie Gray, and Lucas Bergvall waiting for opportunities on the bench, the Danish coach now faces growing pressure to freshen up his midfield options.
Bentancur, despite scoring early, struggled to maintain his influence throughout the game. His passing lacked invention — registering only one key pass and a minuscule expected assist figure of 0.01 — while Palhinha, typically a ball-winning enforcer, contributed little in driving the team forward. The pair’s conservative style often left Tottenham’s attacking trio — Mohammed Kudus, Xavi Simons, and Wilson Odobert — isolated and starved of service.
Frank’s tactical conservatism has not gone unnoticed by fans. Many took to social media after the final whistle to express their frustration with what they see as overly cautious selections. One fan posted, “The insistence on Palhinha-Bentancur is utterly baffling. We’re driving with the handbrake on. It makes no sense.” Another supporter fumed, “Another week of Bentancur and Palhinha is a sackable offence.”
The anger didn’t stop there. Several supporters placed the blame for the defeat squarely on Frank’s shoulders. One wrote, “This result is 100% on Frank — tired of Bentancur and Palhinha together and waiting too long to make changes. Cowardly.” Another added, “We should never start Bentancur and Palhinha together at home. It’s doing my head in. These dropped points are on Frank.”
Time for Change
The message from the fanbase is clear: Tottenham’s midfield needs more drive, more energy, and more attacking intent. While Bentancur and Palhinha bring control and defensive discipline, their partnership lacks the spark to unlock stubborn defences — particularly in matches where Spurs are expected to dominate possession.
Sarr and Bergvall, both technically gifted and forward-thinking, could provide that missing ingredient. Sarr’s dynamism and ability to carry the ball between the lines would give Spurs an extra gear in transition, while Bergvall’s creativity could help link the midfield and attack more effectively.
If Frank wants Tottenham to reassert themselves as serious top-four contenders — and avoid further home slip-ups — he may have no choice but to shake up the midfield formula. Dropping one of Bentancur or Palhinha for a more adventurous option could restore the balance Spurs desperately need, allowing them to play with greater fluidity and attacking intent.
Ultimately, Sunday’s defeat was more than just a setback — it was a warning. Unless Frank adjusts his midfield strategy soon, Tottenham risk falling further behind in the race for Champions League football.