Spurs surrendered a one-goal lead to lose on Sunday
Roy Keane hit out at Tottenham’s lacklustre defending as they surrendered a one-goal lead to lose their third game in a row to Aston Villa. The club, meanwhile, has been linked with a move for Gavin Bazunu.
Giovani Lo Celso had fired the hosts into the lead with a well-hit effort from outside the box only to be pegged back at half-time as Pau Torres’ header at the back end of stoppage time brought Villa level.
Unai Emery’s side are flying this season and completed their turnaround after some neat build-up play set Ollie Watkins through on goal to place his shot into the bottom left corner and take Villa up to fourth. Spurs are without a host of key players due to injuries and suspensions but that wasn’t a good enough excuse for Keane, who slammed their defending.
Karen Carney pointed out in the Sky Sports studio that Spurs had made it “far too easy” for Villa and that there was “no one pressing” Watkins before he scored the winner. Keane agreed, saying:
“Really poor defending from Spurs. You’ve got to get tight and be aggressive, they’ve just switched off at the wrong time. Lovely goal from Villa, but defensively from Spurs… really Spursy.”
Ange Postecoglou was dealt another blow as Rodrigo Bentacur, who has only recently returned from a long-term injury, was subbed off in the first half after coming off worse in a strong challenge with Matty Cash.
Out of the sides currently in the top seven places in the league, Spurs (17) have only conceded more goals than Villa (18). Current No.1 Guglielmo Vicario has been much more solid than many expected after Hugo Lloris was replaced between the sticks, but the Londoners may bring in another goalkeeper in the January transfer window.
Tottenham linked with Gavin Bazunu
While Vicario, signed from Empoli in the summer, has bedded in quite well at Tottenham, the club may revisit their summer target, Gavin Bazunu.
The Southampton and Ireland goalkeeper was on the Spurs wanted list over the summer, but having Hugo Lloris still on the books meant the club played it safe with the Italian and Fraser Forster as back-up.
Bazunu had a tough start to the Championship season with the Saints, who were relegated from the Premier League last term, before climbing into the playoff spots. Southampton are currently fourth after going on a run of decent form. Bazunu himself has an assist, this season, after coming up for a corner. His header took a deflection past his opposite number and was ultimately ruled as an own goal.
The former Shamrock Rovers and Manchester City goalkeeper is still only 21 and already has 21 international caps to his name. Football Insider state that Tottenham may revisit a possible Bazunu deal in January after their scouts reported to be “hugely impressed” with the Dubliner.
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