Johan Manzambi, Nicolas Jackson and Emiliano Buendía took the headlines after Aston Villa’s 3-2 win at Tottenham, but João Gomes produced one of the most important performances of the afternoon.
The Brazilian returned to Unai Emery’s Premier League midfield and gave Villa the aggression and control they had badly lacked during their difficult start to the season.
Gomes’ work without the ball was particularly important against a Tottenham midfield containing Sandro Tonali and Rodrigo Bentancur.
Gomes gives Villa midfield bite
The numbers underline his influence.
Fresh analysis from Squawka shows Gomes completed five tackles, three interceptions, three recoveries, one block and one clearance.
He also covered 11.5km, the second-highest distance of any player in the match.
That work helped Villa disrupt Tottenham before launching the transitions which ultimately decided the game.
It was particularly significant because this was only Gomes’ second Premier League appearance since joining Villa from Wolves.
Gomes also delivers in possession
This was not simply a destructive midfield display.
Gomes completed 23 of his 25 passes, produced seven line-breaking passes and played four passes into the final third.
He also completed two of his four attempted dribbles and created one chance.
Those numbers explain why Emery trusted him alongside Boubacar Kamara.
Gomes gave Villa a midfielder capable of winning possession and immediately progressing the ball rather than simply recycling it.
Our Tottenham 2-3 Aston Villa match report highlighted how efficiently Villa punished Spurs once they broke through the hosts’ pressure.
Gomes was central to creating those situations.
Emery may have found his midfield balance
Villa’s attacking newcomers understandably dominated the post-match reaction.
Manzambi produced a goal and assist, while Jackson delivered his strongest league performance since arriving.
We have already looked at the selection dilemma Manzambi has created and Emery’s praise for Jackson’s breakthrough.
Gomes provides a different reason for optimism.
Villa finally looked capable of protecting their defence while still progressing possession quickly through midfield.
One performance does not settle Emery’s midfield hierarchy.
But if Gomes can reproduce Saturday’s combination of defensive intensity and progressive passing, he has made a powerful case to remain in the side after the international break.
