Harry Kane’s Premier League goal drought continued, but a virtuoso display by his strike partner Son Heung-min ensured Tottenham Hotspur’s losing streak ended with a 2-1 home victory over Aston Villa on Sunday.

The South Korean did not add to his three league goals this season but produced a tireless display.

His two assists ensured Tottenham head into the international break with their tails up after a sticky patch. His clever pass set up Pierre-Emile Hojberg for Tottenham’s opener in the 27th minute.

Shortly after Villa had drawn level, he again left a Villa defence trailing in his wake to deliver a cross that Matt Targett turned into his own net.

Ollie Watkins celebrated his recall to the England squad with Villa’s leveller — his first league goal of the campaign.

Tottenham are still clearly a work in progress under Nuno Espirito Santo, but the performance was a vast improvement on last weekend’s 3-1 defeat at local rivals Arsenal — a third successive loss in which they conceded three goals.

The victory lifted Tottenham into the eighth spot with 12 points while Villa, whose three-match unbeaten league run ended, slipped to 10th with 10 points.

“We needed a win but a well-deserved win. We did a good match against tough opponents. Important for us, the boys, and the fans. We reacted well after conceding and positive in a lot of ways,” Espirito Santo said. “Many times, we conceded and go flat but this time the team did well. We missed chances to kill the game.”

There was a nervousness about Tottenham in the opening exchanges, but Villa were not able to take advantage, and the hosts grew in confidence.

(Reuters/NAN)