0 shots, 0 dribbles, 0 crosses, 5/14 duels won: Spurs flop must now be on borrowed time
Tottenham Hotspur were unable to maintain their pre-international break momentum as they slumped to a 2-1 defeat against Aston Villa on Sunday afternoon. It was a frustrating afternoon for Thomas Frank’s side, who once again failed to capitalise on a strong start and allowed their opponents to wrestle control of the match.
Before the break, Spurs had picked up a much-needed 2-1 victory over Leeds United, with Mathys Tel and Mohammed Kudus getting on the scoresheet to secure all three points. That win was expected to serve as a springboard for the north London side heading into a busy run of fixtures. Against Aston Villa, Tottenham made another bright start, taking the lead early on through Rodrigo Bentancur, who finished clinically after a well-worked move. However, the early optimism quickly faded as Villa hit back with goals from Morgan Rogers and Emiliano Buendia to claim a deserved victory at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
The result exposed familiar flaws in Spurs’ performance — defensive lapses, missed opportunities in attack, and a lack of composure once the opposition grew into the game. Despite the disappointment, not every player deserves to face criticism, with goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, in particular, dividing opinions after the loss.
Why Guglielmo Vicario Should Keep His Place
Some sections of the fanbase were quick to question Vicario’s performance after he conceded both of Aston Villa’s goals, particularly the first from Morgan Rogers, which appeared saveable. From certain camera angles, the Italian goalkeeper seemed poorly positioned, leaving him unable to fully stretch and parry away a shot that wasn’t precisely placed into the corner.
However, while Vicario may share some responsibility for that goal, his overall performances this season suggest he should remain firmly in Thomas Frank’s plans. The 27-year-old has been one of Tottenham’s most consistent performers since joining from Empoli and has often been the difference between a draw and a defeat.
According to data from Sofascore, Vicario has prevented 1.72 more goals than expected in the Premier League so far this season — a testament to his shot-stopping ability and reflexes. Every goalkeeper is entitled to the occasional off day, and judging him harshly after one disappointing outing would be shortsighted. In fact, it’s fair to say that Vicario has earned the trust of his manager and teammates through his commanding presence and reliability in goal.
Where Thomas Frank might need to make adjustments, though, is in his attacking midfield, where new signing Xavi Simons has struggled to find his rhythm.
Why Xavi Simons Is Running Out of Chances
Xavi Simons arrived from RB Leipzig in the summer for a hefty £52 million, carrying high expectations as one of Europe’s most exciting young talents. The Dutch playmaker has started four of his first five league appearances for Spurs, but his displays so far have not lived up to the price tag or the hype surrounding his arrival.
Although there have been occasional flashes of brilliance — notably in the win against Leeds United — Simons has yet to make a real mark in the Premier League. A player of his calibre is expected to consistently create chances and pose a threat around the box, but that has not been the case in recent weeks.
The statistics paint a concerning picture. In his five league outings, Simons has only managed one direct goal contribution, an assist from a corner kick. Against Aston Villa, his performance was especially underwhelming. He created just one chance (a short pass to Joao Palhinha), failed to complete a single accurate cross, and didn’t register a single shot on goal. His duels were largely unsuccessful too — winning only five out of 14, while failing every attempted dribble, according to Sofascore.
These numbers highlight a worrying lack of impact for a player tasked with being Spurs’ creative spark. What’s even more frustrating is that Simons did have opportunities to influence the game. On multiple occasions, he found himself in space on the edge of the box but hesitated to shoot, instead opting for safe sideways passes that allowed Villa to reorganize defensively.
It’s worth remembering that during his time at RB Leipzig, Simons produced an impressive 21 goals and 21 assists across two seasons — evidence that he possesses the technical ability and attacking instinct needed to thrive. But in the Premier League, he has looked hesitant and overly cautious, still adjusting to the intensity and physicality of English football.
Time to Step Up
Thomas Frank is known for backing his players and giving them time to adapt, but patience has its limits. If Simons continues to deliver below-par performances, the manager may be forced to take him out of the starting XI to allow him to reset and rediscover confidence.
Simons undoubtedly has the potential to be a game-changer for Tottenham — his creativity, vision, and versatility can add another dimension to the attack. But right now, he needs to show more conviction and aggression in the final third. The Premier League is an unforgiving environment, and unless he adapts quickly, he risks losing his place to other attacking options in the squad.
In summary, Tottenham’s defeat to Aston Villa was another reminder that consistency remains their biggest challenge under Thomas Frank. While players like Vicario deserve continued trust, others — notably Xavi Simons — must start delivering on their potential if Spurs are to keep pace with the Premier League’s top clubs in the months ahead.