Tottenham player ratings v Aston Villa: Ndombele makes dream debut for Spurs

Tottenham Hotspur's French midfielder Tanguy Ndombele celebrates scoring the team's first goal during the English Premier League football match between Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, on August 10, 2019. (Photo by Daniel LEAL-OLIVAS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo credit should read DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP/Getty Images)
Tottenham Hotspur's French midfielder Tanguy Ndombele celebrates scoring the team's first goal during the English Premier League football match between Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, on August 10, 2019. (Photo by Daniel LEAL-OLIVAS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo credit should read DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP/Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 10: Harry Kane of Tottenham during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on August 10, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Mark Leech/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 10: Harry Kane of Tottenham during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on August 10, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Mark Leech/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)

Harry Kane-8

Kane started the match a bit slowly, but he flashed his illustrious finishing boots in the second half. He was in the right spot to give Spurs the lead with a relatively easy finish. However, his second goal was a world-class shot that flummoxed Heaton and nestled into the bottom corner.

He’ll have matches where he contributes more overall, but his threat in front of goal was immense for Spurs in this one.

Lucas Moura-5

The Brazilian celebrated his new contract with Spurs by putting in a very average performance. His effort shouldn’t be faulted, but he couldn’t make anything happen for his team. Without Tottenham’s second half surge a lot of fans would be talking about Lucas’ misguided header in the opening stanza.

Erik Lamela-6

Curiously, it’s possible that Lamela made it through the entire match without committing a foul. That might actually be a negative for Spurs. At times, he looked to be a step off the pace.

On the other hand, he did win possession on the sequence of play that ultimately gave Spurs their match-winning goal. The Argentine didn’t play a great match by any means, but he made a key play for Tottenham when they needed him most.

Christian Eriksen-8

The match was crying out for Eriksen when he came on for Winks in the 64th minute. He didn’t put his name on the score sheet, but he turned the match on its head. His introduction signaled the point in the match where Tottenham truly took control.

Eriksen didn’t notch either a goal or assist in this match, but he changed the entire tenor of the fixture for his club. Losing him to a European transfer would be a bitter pill for Spurs to swallow.

Georges-Kevin N’Koudou-5

N’Koudou has somehow managed to maintain his place in Pochettino’s squad despite the club’s obvious attempts to sell him. He didn’t do much in his brief appearance in this match, but he did chase the ball with reckless abandon. At least he followed the gaffer’s instructions.