Manzambi’s first goal helps Aston Villa beat Tottenham as Suzuki stars

Aston Villa recorded their first league victory of the season at Tottenham, with Johan Manzambi, Nicolas Jackson and Emi Buendia on the scoresheet. Tottenham replied late through Conor Gallagher and Jan Paul van Hecke, but Villa held on for the win.

WHAT HAPPENED
Villa opened the scoring when Johan Manzambi struck, his first goal for the club. Nicolas Jackson and Emi Buendia also found the net to give Villa a lead Tottenham could not fully recover from despite two late goals.

KEY PERFORMERS
- Zion Suzuki was the highest-rated player, an 8, praised for saves that kept Villa level early on although his distribution was criticised.
- Victor Lindelof and Joao Gomes both received 7s for composed performances as Villa protected their lead.
- Manzambi was highlighted for catching the eye with his goal; Matteo Ruggeri made a full Premier League debut and was given a 6.

SPURS NOTES
- Pedro Porro returned from previous absences but was forced off injured after 18 minutes.
- Several Tottenham attackers were judged to have underwhelmed: Dominic Solanke remains without a Premier League goal since March, and substitutes Mohammed Kudus and James Maddison were unable to change the outcome.
- Conor Gallagher and Jan Paul van Hecke scored late consolations for Tottenham.

The match produced a mixture of individual positives for Villa and familiar frustrations for Tottenham, with injuries and missed chances noted in the Spurs ratings.