Premier League 2019/20 - Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 Aston Villa: 5 Talking Points 

#3 Mauricio Pochettino's astute changes turned out to be the game-changer

Tottenham Hotspur v Aston Villa - Premier League

Spurs lined up with a 4-4-2 diamond in the first half, with Harry Winks stationed at the base of the midfield. Tanguy Ndombele and Moussa Sissoko started either side of the English as free No.8's and Erik Lamela was at the tip of the diamond.

With Lucas Moura and Harry Kane up front, Spurs' side looked solid on paper but they failed to make a mark on the game as Villa went into half-time with a 1-0 lead.

Mauricio Pochettino withdrew Winks in favor of Christian Eriksen in the second half and his tactical tweak proved to be the game-changer.

Spurs lacked chemistry in the first half but Pochettino's substitution coupled with the change of formation allowed Spurs to take control of the game in the closing changes.

The Lilywhites looked like a much better unit in a 4-2-3-1 and scored three goals in the second half as they ran out comfortable winners in the end.

Pochettino is widely regarded as one of the best tacticians in world football and his game-changing substitution against a stubborn Villa outfit adds further weight to this hypothesis.