Tottenham Hotspur’s return from the international break was far from ideal as they suffered a 2-1 home defeat to Aston Villa on Sunday.
It was a match that started with promise but ended in frustration, leaving Spurs fans questioning the team’s attacking quality and decision-making.
Rodrigo Bentancur gave Tottenham a dream start with an early goal in the fifth minute, yet defensive lapses and lack of sharpness in front of goal saw Villa claim all three points with two well-taken strikes from Morgan Rogers and Emiliano Buendia.
Thomas Frank’s side showed moments of control in possession but failed to sustain any meaningful threat in attack.
While several players struggled to impose themselves, it was clear that the team’s attacking unit lacked fluency and confidence. Wilson Odobert, who started on the left wing, once again showcased glimpses of potential without delivering a decisive performance.
The young Frenchman, earning around £40,000 per week, possesses impressive raw attributes speed, agility, and skill in one-on-one situations but his end product continues to let him down.
Against Villa, Odobert managed to complete three of his four dribbles, which was encouraging, yet he created only a single chance and failed to make his moments count in front of goal.
His stats tell the story of a player still learning how to turn flair into effectiveness.
| Vs Aston Villa | Wilson Odobert |
|---|---|
| Minutes Played | 79 |
| Chances Created | 1 |
| Big Chances Created | 1 |
| Shots | 2 |
| Big Chances Missed | 1 |
| Dribbles Completed | 3/4 |
| Duels Won | 3/8 |
Despite completing several successful dribbles, Odobert missed the only big chance that came his way and struggled to link play effectively.
To truly kickstart his Spurs career, he must improve his consistency in making the right choice whether to shoot, cross, or pass once he reaches dangerous positions.
Tottenham’s lack of natural depth on the left wing might buy him more time in the lineup, but patience will eventually wear thin if the end product doesn’t improve.
However, while Odobert’s performance was underwhelming, one of his attacking teammates was even worse.
Mathys Tel, starting ahead of Richarlison, endured a frustrating evening where nothing seemed to go right. The 20-year-old French striker had shown flashes of promise before the international break, including a goal against Leeds and strong outings for France’s U21s, but against Villa, he offered neither creativity nor composure.
| Vs Aston Villa | Mathys Tel |
|---|---|
| Minutes Played | 60 |
| Shots on Target | 0 |
| Big Chances Missed | 1 |
| Touches | 15 |
| Possession Lost | 9x |
| Duels Lost | 7/8 (88%) |
| Chances Created | 0 |
Tel’s numbers highlight his complete lack of influence. He failed to record a single shot on target or create a chance for teammates and lost seven of eight duels. For long spells, he looked isolated, outmuscled, and unsure of his positioning.
When presented with a chance to drive at Villa’s defence, he hesitated and ignored better passing options, ultimately losing the ball to Ezri Konsa. His decision-making lacked confidence, and his performance did little to justify keeping him in the lineup.
Given that Richarlison remains Tottenham’s top scorer in the league with three goals, it now seems the right time for Frank to rotate the attack. Tel has shown flashes of ability, but consistency at the Premier League level is still far away.
The manager’s job is to extract steady performances from talented youngsters, but that can only happen with the right balance of competition and accountability.
With Randal Kolo Muani also pushing for a starting role, Frank has several attacking options to consider. Tel’s poor showing, combined with Odobert’s ongoing inconsistency, means changes could be coming soon.
Unlike Odobert, who benefits from the lack of a proven left-wing alternative, Tel faces direct competition from two seasoned forwards. If he continues to struggle, his time in the starting eleven may soon come to an end.
Tottenham’s defeat to Aston Villa exposed more than just defensive weaknesses it highlighted the fragility of their attacking rhythm.
While Frank has spoken about patience and long-term growth, results demand immediate improvement. Both Odobert and Tel have promise, but potential alone is not enough in a demanding league.
Spurs need end product, leadership, and consistency, and unless their young attackers start delivering, the manager will have no choice but to make bold decisions in the weeks ahead.
