Tottenham Hotspur’s return from the international break did not go as planned, as they fell 2-1 to Aston Villa despite taking an early lead.
Rodrigo Bentancur opened the scoring for Spurs with a well-taken goal that promised a positive afternoon, but the mood quickly changed.
Aston Villa, led by Unai Emery, fought back strongly through goals from Morgan Rogers and Emiliano Buendía, leaving Thomas Frank’s men with another frustrating defeat.
What started as a bright performance turned into another disappointing display, exposing individual weaknesses that continue to cost Spurs valuable points in the Premier League.
Goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, who has generally been solid this season, came under fire after conceding both goals.
The Italian international could have done better, especially with Rogers’ strike, which beat him despite not being perfectly placed in the corner. His positioning looked uncertain, and though the shot wasn’t unstoppable, Vicario was caught off balance and failed to react quickly enough.
Yet, while criticism is fair, it would be harsh to single him out too strongly. Over the course of the season, Vicario has actually been one of Tottenham’s most reliable players between the posts.
According to Sofascore, he has prevented 1.72 more goals than expected in the league proof that, despite a poor afternoon, he remains one of the few consistent performers in the squad. Dropping him would be reactionary and could do more harm than good.
The same cannot be said, however, for Xavi Simons. The young Dutch midfielder, who joined Spurs from RB Leipzig for £52 million, is starting to test the patience of both fans and the coaching staff.
Simons was brought in to add creativity, flair, and goals to Tottenham’s attack, but so far, his performances have lacked conviction. In five Premier League appearances, he has managed just one assist a corner delivery that led to a goal.
Aside from that, his influence in open play has been minimal, and his decision-making in the final third has often slowed down Spurs’ attacking rhythm.
Here’s how Xavi Simons’ Premier League stats currently stand this season:
| Stat Category | Xavi Simons (2025/26) |
|---|---|
| Appearances | 5 |
| Expected Goals (xG) | 0.28 |
| Goals | 0 |
| Big Chances Created | 1 |
| Expected Assists (xA) | 0.57 |
| Assists | 1 |
| Dribble Success Rate | 42% |
Despite his technical ability, Simons has not translated promise into productivity. In the recent loss to Aston Villa, his display was particularly underwhelming.
He failed to complete a single dribble, missed all his attempts to beat opponents, and lost nine of his fourteen duels. For a player expected to be the creative heartbeat of the team, those numbers are worrying.
His unwillingness to take risks preferring sideways passes over forward movement has stifled Tottenham’s attacking flow.
Even when given space to shoot from the edge of the box, Simons chose to recycle possession rather than test Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez.
Such hesitation is a stark contrast to the fearless player who shone at RB Leipzig, where he scored 21 goals and provided 21 assists in two seasons. At Leipzig, Simons was direct, decisive, and confident in the final third.
That version of him has yet to appear in a Tottenham shirt. Whether it’s an issue of adapting to the physicality of English football or struggling to find his rhythm under Thomas Frank’s system, something needs to change soon.
It’s also becoming evident that his place in the starting XI is no longer guaranteed. Tottenham have attacking depth, and if Simons continues to drift through games, Frank may have no choice but to bench him.
The Premier League demands intensity, and Simons has looked too passive, often disappearing in matches where Spurs need him to take control.
Meanwhile, the rest of the team also needs to improve. Tottenham’s recent form has been inconsistent, with promising spells undone by defensive lapses and attacking inefficiency.
Players like Mathys Tel and Mohammed Kudus have shown flashes of brilliance but need more support from midfielders like Simons, who are supposed to bridge the gap between creativity and finishing.
While Guglielmo Vicario had a tough afternoon, he has earned enough credit this season to keep his place. His command of the box and ability to make key saves have often masked Spurs’ defensive frailties.
On the other hand, Simons’ struggles are harder to ignore. The expectations that came with his £52 million price tag are heavy, but that’s the reality of playing for a club with ambitions of challenging the Premier League elite.
If Xavi Simons doesn’t rediscover his spark soon, his starting role may be on borrowed time. He has the talent, no doubt but Tottenham need more than glimpses. They need a player who can dictate matches, not one still finding his feet. The clock is ticking, and patience is wearing thin.
