Despite running out 4-0 winners at Villa Park, there was one negative for Spurs with Micky van de Ven hobbling off with an injury.
The Dutch centre-back was replaced just after half-time, after only making eight appearances since returning from another injury at the start of the year.
Ange Postecoglou was encouraged with the fact that van de Ven did not think the knock was too serious.
“I am not sure, he does not think it’s anything too significant. So disappointing for him because he was outstanding again up until that point”, said Postecoglou.
“Great for Radu to come in, his first significant game-time in a big game and I thought he handled it really well.”
Spurs scored four goals in the second period, after a sluggish first half. Goals from James Maddison Brennan Johnson, Son Heung-min and Timo Werner helped cut the gap to two points between Villa and Spurs.
Ange Postecoglou could not hide his delight at his team’s performance.
“The whole game, I was really pleased with the way we handled the whole day. Obviously we knew it was a significant game coming here, tough venue, good opponent”, said the Spurs boss.
“I just thought, obviously the atmosphere here, they get behind their team. I thought with all that, the context of all that, first half we did really well, just to make them work hard more than anything else, they had to try to contain us, and the threats they had we snuffed out.
“I had a sense towards the back end of the first half that they were beginning to really tire a little bit. That was the message at half-time, just to persevere, stay calm, play our football, maintain the intensity, which is going to be important.
“And we did. We got off to a flyer, the quality of our football was excellent, to see out the game.”
