Dean Smith has admitted that Heung-Min Son was ‘the difference’ between Tottenham and Aston Villa on Sunday, as he told BBC Sport.
The Aston Villa boss shared that Son, who provided two assists during Tottenham’s 2-1 win yesterday, was ‘outstanding’ on the day after his moments of ‘brilliance’.
The home team went into the game hoping to end a run of three defeats on the bounce – and they did just that.
Whilst those in Claret and Blue colours were hoping to win their third game in a row, after beating Manchester United at Old Trafford last time out.
But Villa came up against Son at his very best and Smith admitted, he was the one who changed everything.
“It feels like it got away from us,” said Smith. “It is a disappointment. I didn’t think there was too much between the teams.
“The difference was that they had the outstanding player on the pitch, which was Son [Heung-min]. He was outstanding.
“We were brave going one v one against Son and felt we could handle that. But he twisted Kortney [Hause] and put a ball in the box and they got on the end of it.
He also told Sky Sports: “Sometimes, some games turn on the brilliance of one player and they had the outstanding player on the pitch in Son. He set up the winner.”
When Son is at his electrifying best, there aren’t many players in world football, who can stop the £22 million Mauricio Pochettino signing (Mirror).
He will no doubt go down as one of the best captures in modern times for Spurs because, alongside Harry Kane, he has been incredible for a number of years now.
Whilst Kane endured another quiet day in the Premier League office, Son’s direct style, ability to change direction at speed and carry the ball forward was just too much to handle for Villa.
These three points eases the pressure on the man in Tottenham’s dugout and Nuno Espirito Santo will be hoping that Son has plenty more afternoons like the one he had yesterday.
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