For just the third time all season, Tottenham Hotspur were without a win in three games across all competitions heading into their Premier League clash with Aston Villa — a wrong that was righted in emphatic fashion at Villa Park on Sunday.
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Furthermore, it was the first time this season they’d gone three games without a win across all competition including a defeat (Tottenham had lost two of their last three, to West Ham and Borussia Dortmund, either side of their draw with Arsenal), which made Sunday’s game against bottom-of-the-league Villa all the more must-win, just as much for morale purposes as for implications on the league table.
With eight games left to play in the PL season, Spurs now sit just two points back of league-leading Leicester City (who now have a game in hand) and six points clear of north London rivals Arsenal (who now also have a game in hand).
Pochettino, on getting that winning feeling back — quotes from Sky Sports:
“I think [winning today] was important after the last few games that were difficult for us — West Ham, Arsenal and Borussia Dortmund. It was important for us to play our way, the way we played today. I think that we played well.”
…
“This victory arrived in a moment we needed to feel [winning] again. We have another tough game against Borussia Dortmund, and we need to try to win the game to turn the tie. It’s always difficult, but we need to try. I think it’s better to prepare for Borussia Dortmund with this victory.”
As for Spurs’ title chances, Pochettino is confident, but remains totally noncommittal.
“I think that we are in a good position. We are in a good position: a lot of games to play, a lot of points. We’ll see. We’ll see what happens.”
