Tottenham

3.13

• 
  4

  0

  3.00

  Hugo Lloris

  Generally assured on his Premier League debut, and was quick off his line to deny Agbonlahor a chance in the first half. A poor throw, however, gifted Albrighton a chance to cross for Benteke, who just missed.

• 
  5

  0

  3.50

  Jan Vertonghen

  Solid defensively, composed on the ball and offered support to Bale down the left flank. Not his natural position but he is more than adequate cover.

• 
  4

  1

  3.00

  William Gallas

  Composed and comfortable with the ball at his feet, but Benteke did find space to meet one or two crosses over the course of the match.

• 
  5

  0

  3.00

  Kyle Walker

  Had a couple of issues in dealing with Agbonlahor but nothing that proved costly. Provided a great cross that Dempsey headed wide.

• 
  3

  0

  3.00

  Steven Caulker

  Scored his first Tottenham goal, although he knew very little about it as the ball deflected off of his leg. Defended solidly and made an effort to bring the ball out of defence.

• 
  5

  1

  2.50

  Clint Dempsey

  Muted in the first half but improved in the second and laid on the pass from which Lennon scored. Not a great creative spark through the middle, however, and missed a great chance when he headed Walker's cross wide.

• 
  4

  0

  3.50

  Aaron Lennon Top of the Match

  As Bale faded, Lennon began to cause problems for left-back Bennett. It seemed that the youngster had improved in his dealing with the winger but one burst of pace then allowed him to shoot through his marker's legs and beyond Guzan to all but seal the three points.

• 
  3

  0

  3.00

  Gareth Bale

  Lively in the early stages, frequently causing Lowton problems, but the defender got to grips with the Welshman as the match wore on. Did provide the corner from which Tottenham took the lead, however.

• 
  5

  0

  3.50

  Moussa Dembele

  Never attacked too aggressively, preferring to sit back and allow Sandro to stretch his legs, but he did contribute some nice passes and flicks to spring attacks. Heavily closed down but the most influential central midfielder on the pitch.

• 
  4

  0

  3.00

  Sandro

  More free roaming than Dembele. Effective at restricting Villa's bursts forward and contributed once or twice with some decent passes and crosses in an attacking sense.

• 
  3

  1

  3.50

  Jermain Defoe

  Looked sharp, both when attacking the penalty area and coming deep to get the ball. Improved in the second half, too, and shot just wide from the edge of the box before his effort, after he had controlled Bale's corner carefully, deflected in off of Caulker's legs.

Substitutions

• 
  3

  0

  Gylfi Sigurdsson

  Had a couple of chances to break into the box after replacing Dempsey for the last few minutes but could not add to Tottenham's lead.

• 
  4

  0

  Andros Townsend

  A late replacement for Lennon on the wing.

• 
  5

  0

  3.00

  Emmanuel Adebayor

  Replaced Defoe in attack in the second half. He looked sharp and Tottenham looked more rounded up front after his introduction.

Aston Villa

2.71

• 
  1

  0

  3.00

  Bradley Guzan

  Had little chance with either goal, with Defoe's shot deflected in by Caulker from point blank range and Lennon's second sweetly struck from 20 yards.

• 
  2

  0

  3.00

  Ron Vlaar

  Did a good job in keeping Dempsey and Defoe in front of the defence and at bay, but goals from a set-piece and from down one flank cost his team. Had a tougher time as the game became more stretched after Tottenham had taken the lead.

• 
  1

  0

  3.00

  Ciaran Clark

  A generally solid display, with Defoe mainly restricted to shots from in front of the Villa centre-backs, but his efforts were wasted when Lambert's team conceded from a corner.

• 
  1

  0

  2.50

  Joseph Bennett

  Had a mixed time against Lennon. Struggled initially, but seemed to be getting to grips with the winger before he then scored the second goal with a lightning fast run and shot. Injured and had to be stretchered off in the second half.

• 
  1

  0

  2.50

  Matthew Lowton

  Had a tough time with Bale early on but to his credit, the winger's influence waned as the first half wore on and did not increase too much after the break.

• 
  1

  0

  2.50

  Karim El Ahmadi

  Kept the ball well but often just looked overrun in central midfield, which may not have been entirely his own fault.

• 
  1

  0

  3.00

  Marc Albrighton

  Ran willingly and supplied a superb cross from which Benteke could, and really should, have given Villa the lead early in the second half.

• 
  0

  1

  2.00

  Brett Holman Flop of the Match

  Less of a presence than Albrighton and Agbonlahor in the positions supporting the striker. Struggled to get involved.

• 
  1

  0

  2.50

  Fabian Delph

  Tried to combine with the Villa attacking midfielders but had little luck and was often crowded out in the centre of the park. Substituted shortly after the hour mark for N'Zogbia.

• 
  2

  0

  3.50

  Gabriel Agbonlahor

  A threat in an attacking midfield position. Was allowed to roam and Tottenham struggled to pick him up. Supplied the cross for Benteke's first good chance of the second half.

• 
  0

  1

  2.50

  C. Benteke

  Gets in all the right positions but could not find a finish. Had two good chances to give Villa the lead early in the second half, which weren't taken.

Substitutions

• 
  2

  0

  3.00

  Charles N'Zogbia

  Made a couple of dangerous-looking runs but could not produce anything that seriously troubled the Spurs defence.

• 
  1

  0

  2.50

  Barry Bannan

  Came on as Villa changed shape but could not stem the flow of Tottenham attacks or produce much in an attacking sense. Moved to left-back after Bennett was injured.

• 
  1

  1

  2.50

  Darren Bent

  Barely touched the ball after joining Benteke in attack for the final 25 minutes.