Son Heung-min and Harry Winks pile praise on Georges-Kevin N’Koudou impact

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The winger came off the bench to inspire Spurs to victory over Aston Villa.

Tottenham Hotspur stars Son Heung-min and Harry Winks have praised fringe man George-Kevin N’Koudou for the way he changed the game in the 2-0 FA Cup third-round win over Aston Villa on Sunday, speaking to the club’s official website.

Spurs were struggling to break down a stubborn Villa side at White Hart Lane until N’Koudou, making his 10th appearance of the season from the bench, came on with 20 minutes remaining.

Almost instantly, the winger produced a fine cross for Ben Davies to superbly head home the opener, and the hosts made the game safe through Son’s late second.

It has been a frustrating first season in England for N’Koudou so far; the 21-year-old’s only start has come in an EFL Cup tie.

However, speaking after the victory, Son and young starter Winks were quick to pile praise on N’Koudou’s impact on the game.

Son told the club’s website: “I thought GK did really well when he came on and Ben scored a great header from his cross, a great finish.”

Winks added: “GK, when he came on, did excellently by getting an unbelievable cross in and Josh [Onomah] came on and contributed in a positive way as well.”

In total, Mauiricio Pochettino made nine changes to his side for the cup clash, with the likes of Winks, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Davies, and Kieran Trippier being handed starts, whilst Onomah joined N’Koudou in entering the action as a replacement.

Son was quick to praise the attitudes and abilities of the club’s fringe stars and noted that when the youngsters perform, they excel.

The South Korean added: “We have young and hungry players and in every training session and every week on the bench they learn. When they play they do really well – the likes of Cameron Carter-Vickers, Harry Winks and Josh Onomah.

“We’ve got a good squad and everyone is ready to perform. Of course, everyone has to be ready. We all work really hard in training, everyone is really hungry and we all want to do well.”