Heung-min Son scored a brilliant hat-trick as Tottenham put themselves firmly in the driving seat to finish fourth with a 4-0 win over Aston Villa in a game of two halves.
Son’s third-minute strike put the visitors ahead but Villa dominated the rest of the first-half, pegging Spurs into their third and peppering Hugo Lloris’ goal with efforts.
Villa were made to pay for their profligacy, however, as Spurs stepped up a gear in the second half, Dejan Kulusevski scoring five minutes after the interval before Son completely his treble with two cool finishes to move Spurs three points clear in fourth place.
Dan Kilpatrick was at Villa Park to rate the Spurs players...
Hugo Lloris 9
Magnificent display to keep out Villa in the first half, making seven saves in total, including spectacular one-handed effors to deny Jacob Ramsey and John McGinn. Nearly punished for a sloppy late pass out but had done his job.
Cristian Romero 8
Relished the physical battle, particularly his duels with Brazilian Philippe Coutinho. Much improved at defending set pieces in last few matches and made the third goal with an angle pass for Kane.
Eric Dier 8
Under the cosh in the first half but helped Spurs come through unscathed with some brave blocks and challenges.
Ben Davies 8
Played his part in a committed rearguard, and appeared particularly vocal when Spurs when were under pressure.
Emerson Royal 6
Had a tough job against Lucas Digne, Ollie Watkins and Coutinho, who drifted to the left in the first half. Committed but unpolished, particularly on the ball.
Rodrigo Bentancur 7
Uncharacteristically flustered in the first half in the face of Villa’s onslaught but more composed after the break, as Spurs turned the screw.
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg 8
Rarely can he have taken such a kicking! Coped well with Villa’s physical approach in another impressive display, particularly as he picked up an early booking and had to walk a tightrope to avoid a second.
Matt Doherty 5
Tried to play on after a crunching early challenge by Matty Cash but eventually forced off. A shame for him given his recent resurgence.
Dejan Kulusevski 9
Another goal -- a brilliant low finish for the sucker punch -- and assisted Son. Decisive. Hard to think of many better January signings in Premier League history.
Heung-min Son 10
Scored a clinical hat-trick of sublime finishes, each one in the corner and unsavable. On this form, he is one of the League’s most dangerous and instinctive finishers.
Harry Kane 9
Just as against Newcastle last weekend, he didn’t score but was the creative hub for Spurs, finishing with two great headed asssists. The first was a great win in the air against Ezri Konsa, the second a sublime into the channel for Son. He was also involved in the first goal with his blocked shot falling for Son.
Subs
Sergio Reguilon (Doherty 21’) 7
Got stuck in and defended well but did not have many chances to get forward. When he did, at the end of the first half, nearly forced Tyrone Mings into an own goal.
Lucas Moura (Son 78’) 6
Gave Son a breather -- and a standing ovation -- and helped Spurs to see out the game.
Steven Bergwijn (Kulusevski 84’) 6
Had a couple of glimpses in the box but could not score from the bench again.
