Ange Postecoglou reveals why he subbed off Son Heung-min early

Ange Postecoglou moved quick to quell any drama over his decision to substitute a visibly exasperated Heung-min Son in the resounding win over Aston Villa.

Son made his first appearance since mid-October following a thigh injury in the win over Unai Emery’s side and assisted Brennan Johnson’s equaliser before being substituted in the 56th minute by Postecoglou.

The Korean was clearly shocked by the decision, looking perplexed as his number was held up by the fourth official before exuding clear frustration as he sat down on the bench.

But the Spurs head coach insists there are issues, saying: ‘No, I didn’t see any difference in Sonny. I’d be surprised if any player likes coming off when they’re feeling all right.

‘I didn’t need to discuss it with him. What’s more important is the overall picture. 

‘He was never going to play more than that today because he had an injury.

‘So he was never going to play more than sort of 55/60 minutes irrespective of how the game was going.

‘The great thing was that he made a pretty important contribution, the great ball in for our first goal and we got our equaliser.

‘We have got more battles ahead and we’re going to need him.’

Dominic Solanke emerged as Spurs’ match-winner, scoring twice to take his season’s tally to five.

‘I just think the enormous effort he put in on Wednesday night (against Manchester City) to help us win a game of football, not just physically but mentally and his capacity to help the team in every way he can,’ said Postecoglou.

‘To back that up today with such a massive effort again against a pretty difficult team to play against in that sense, it’s just unbelievable.

‘Yes, the goals are great and of course as a striker I am sure he loves the fact he can score a couple of goals, but even if he didn’t, I can’t speak highly enough of what he is contributing to our team at the moment.’

Postecoglou also revealed that his No 2 Matty Wells helped inspire the victory over Villa with a speech to the squad about former Spurs coach Ugo Ehiogu, who would have celebrated his 51st birthday on Sunday.

Ehiogu, who played for Villa, died in April 2017 after suffering a cardiac arrest at Spurs training ground and Postecoglou added: ‘It’s also the birthday of the late Ugo Ehiogu and he had a big influence on Matty Wells here at the club.

‘Matty spoke really strongly about him. When you hear things like that, and how people affect your life, it helps give clarity to the players about what we’re trying to do here. Obviously for his wife and his son probably a tough day, but hopefully they get a little bit cheer from the fact Wellsy made it a really important point, that he may be gone but he’s not forgotten.’

On Villa’s performance, head coach Unai Emery said: ‘We know how difficult it is against Tottenham. It is a tough result but the match we played was more or less in line with the expectation I had before the match.

‘We are disappointed, frustrated but we are accepting it. We know our way, it is 38 matches, the league is very tight.’