Tottenham player ratings vs Aston Villa: Mateus Fernandes dismal as 7/10 teammate proves only bright spark

Tottenham succumbed to a 3-2 loss against Aston Villa on Saturday.

Pedro Porro was the only change that Roberto De Zerbi made from the 0-0 draw with Everton last time out in the Premier League.

The World Cup winner replaced Archie Gray in the starting line-up for the clash with the Villans.

Johan Manzambi put the visitors in the lead just before the half-time break, and Nicolas Jackson and Emi Buendia expanded it in the second-half.

Mohammed Kudus thought he had equalised before Jackson's strike, but it was ruled out for an offside in the build-up.

Conor Gallagher’s late effort deflected off Matty Cash to give them their first goal of the league campaign and then Jan Paul van Hecke got another but it was too late.

Mateus Fernandes puts in dismal display in Tottenham loss

Mateus Fernandes has not hit heights expected of him since his £85million move to Spurs.

He was dismal in the clash with the Villans and was rightfully hooked by De Zerbi at half-time.

The Portuguese ace took just 38 touches, and did not create anything for his teammates, per FotMob data.

While he had three touches in the opposition box and made two passes into the final third, his impact was very limited.

He made seven defensive contributions, with one tackle, two interceptions and four recoveries, but his main job is to make things happen going forward.

If he continues to be ineffective in the number 10 role, it will only be a matter of time before he loses his starting spot.

Sandro Tonali provides the only hope for Tottenham in Aston Villa defeat

Sandro Tonali is another summer signing, but the £100m man has been much better.

He was the only bright spark for Spurs, as he put in a brilliant display that was not matched by his teammates.

The Italian had 80 touches and completed 91 per cent of his passes in the contest

He made seven passes into the final third and 11 line-breaking passes as he looked to make something happen

Tonali was fantastic defensively too, making 11 contributions, with six tackles, one interception and four recoveries.

In terms of duels, he won all seven that he attempted on the ground, for a 100 per cent success rate.

If his teammates can raise their levels to how he is performing, De Zerbi's side will improve a lot.

How Tottenham players rated vs Aston Villa

Antonin Kinsky - 6

Pedro Porro - 5 (off for Gray, 19)

Jan Paul van Hecke - 5

Micky van de Ven - 6

Andy Robertson - 4

Rodrigo Bentancur - 5 (off for Bergvall, 84)

Sandro Tonali - 7 (off for Gallagher, 84)

Mateus Fernandes - 3 (off for Kudus, 45)

Savio - 5

Omar Marmoush - 5

Dominic Solanke - 4 (off for Maddison, 66)

Substitutes:

Archie Gray - 5

Mohammed Kudus - 5

James Maddison - 5

Lucas Bergvall - N/A

Conor Gallagher - 6