If any of the fans who faced transport problems to spend New Year’s Day at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium were in need of some extra sleep, they had ample opportunity in a dreadful first half.
Tottenham were slow in possession and lacked any attacking spark while Villa were equally clueless.
Villa keeper Robin Olsen, who surprisingly kept his spot ahead of Argentina hero Emiliano Martinez, was untouched and picked up three yellow cards in the space of 10 minutes for Tottenham, including one for World Cup winner Cristian Romero. was the only talking point. Opening 37 minutes.
Tottenham finally created a chance when Ivan Perisic was played on goal and forced down by Olsen. Perisic managed to hoist a cross towards Harry Kane, whose weak header was on target but was cleared off the line by a diving Ashley Young.
