Tottenham Hotspur finds itself at a crossroads, grappling with a season marred by defensive frailty, attacking uncertainty, and mounting pressure on both players and management. The club’s recent struggles have been thrown into sharp relief by a string of disappointing results, capped by a 0-2 defeat to Aston Villa at Villa Park on October 17, 2025. The loss not only extended Tottenham’s winless run in the Premier League to six matches (one draw and five losses), but also set a new club record for the most defeats in a single Premier League season, with 21 losses now on the books.
Central to the current narrative is Son Heung-min, the 33-year-old South Korean forward whose decade-long tenure at Tottenham is now under intense scrutiny. As the most prolific contributor to the club’s goals over the past ten years, Son’s presence has long been synonymous with attacking threat and reliability. Yet, recent performances have seen him become the focal point of criticism, particularly for defensive lapses that have cost the team dearly.
Son’s return to the starting lineup against Aston Villa, after a month-long absence due to a foot injury, was anticipated as a potential turning point. Manager Ange Postecoglou, speaking ahead of the match, acknowledged the need to increase Son’s playing time, stating, “It’s time to give him more minutes.” Son responded with early bursts of energy, making darting runs into the penalty box, attempting curled shots, and delivering sharp crosses from the left flank. In the 15th minute, his shot sailed just over the bar, and by the 39th minute, he had orchestrated a promising counterattack that nearly broke the deadlock.
Despite these flashes, the overall team performance was lacking. Tottenham’s starting eleven featured a heavily rotated lineup, with several key players either benched or omitted entirely. The 4-2-3-1 formation placed Son on the left wing, supported by Wilson Odobert and Mikey Moore, while Mathys Tel led the line. In midfield, Pape Sarr and Archie Gray sought to provide stability, but the defensive unit, comprising Sergio Reguilon, Ben Davies, Kevin Danso, and Djed Spence, struggled to withstand Villa’s relentless pressure. Antonin Kinsky guarded the goalposts but was left exposed on multiple occasions.
The match unraveled in the second half. Aston Villa capitalized on Tottenham’s defensive disarray, with Ezri Konsa breaking the deadlock in the 59th minute and Boubacar Kamara sealing the result with a second goal in the 73rd. Son was substituted in the 74th minute, alongside Reguilon, as Rodrigo Bentancur and Dominic Solanke entered the fray in a desperate bid to change the momentum. Subsequent substitutions brought Brennan Johnson and Richarlison onto the pitch, but the deficit proved insurmountable.
Statistically, Son’s outing was underwhelming. He managed just one shot, completed 21 out of 24 passes (an 88% success rate), touched the ball three times inside the opponent’s box, and failed to complete a single dribble. Most notably, he contested six duels without winning any—a stark indicator of his struggles in both attack and defense. Tottenham Hotspur News did not mince words in its post-match assessment, awarding Son a mere 2 out of 10 and declaring, “Son Heung-min’s slump continued. He showed some decent movement on the left, but wasted every chance with poor decisions.”
This harsh evaluation reflects a broader malaise within the squad. Son’s defensive responsibilities have come under particular scrutiny, with several key moments in the Villa match highlighting missed assignments and lapses in positioning. The criticism is not limited to this fixture; across the season, Tottenham’s defense has been labeled the worst among the Premier League’s top teams, with repeated issues surfacing in recent matches. Son’s role in these defensive shortcomings has become a talking point among pundits and supporters alike.
Yet, it’s impossible to overlook Son’s enduring contributions. With 38 appearances this season, he has tallied 11 goals and 5 assists, remaining one of the club’s most effective players in the final third. Over his Tottenham career, Son has now made 453 appearances and scored 74 goals, moving into sole possession of sixth place on the club’s all-time appearance list. This milestone, however, offered little solace in the wake of another dispiriting defeat.
The attacking void left by Son’s occasional absence—and the club’s inability to adequately replace his output—has exacerbated Tottenham’s woes. Last summer, the club underwent significant changes, with Thomas Frank taking the managerial reins and Son’s eventual move to LAFC looming large. In response, Tottenham brought in a raft of new attacking talent, including Mathys Tel, Mohammed Kudus, Xavi Simons, and the loan signing of Randal Kolo Muani. However, none have managed to fill the void, particularly on the left wing, where Son once thrived. Brennan Johnson and Wilson Odobert, given early opportunities, failed to impress, while Simons, donning the iconic number 7, has found his best role in central midfield rather than out wide.
The search for a true successor to Son has proven elusive. Tottenham’s attempts to sign Savinho were thwarted by the player’s decision to renew with Manchester City, and Eberechi Eze opted for a move to Arsenal instead. Recent reports have linked Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo with a switch to north London, but Liverpool appears to be leading the race for his signature. According to Football Insider, “Liverpool is in a stronger position than Tottenham to sign Semenyo.” The club’s struggles to recruit a capable replacement have only intensified calls from some quarters that Son should have been retained at all costs.
Manager Thomas Frank has openly acknowledged the challenges of rebuilding the attack. “Last season, we had Son, Kulusevski, and Solanke, but now we’re working with new forwards,” he lamented. The ongoing injuries to Dejan Kulusevski and James Maddison have further hampered Tottenham’s ability to generate consistent attacking pressure, compounding the sense of frustration among fans and staff alike.
With the Premier League campaign spiraling, Tottenham’s hopes now rest on the upcoming UEFA Europa League final against Manchester United, scheduled for October 22 at San Mamés Stadium in Bilbao. The match represents the last opportunity for redemption in an otherwise turbulent season. As the club prepares for this decisive showdown, questions abound: Can Son rediscover his scoring touch and help inspire a turnaround? Will the defense finally find its footing under pressure?
For now, Tottenham remains mired in uncertainty, searching for answers on both ends of the pitch. The Europa League final looms as a potential lifeline—a chance to salvage pride and perhaps chart a new course for the club’s future.
