Aston Villa had waited five league games for a win, but Saturday’s 3-2 victory at Tottenham finally gave Unai Emery’s rebuilt side some breathing room. Johan Manzambi opened the scoring on his full debut, while the £65m summer signing Nicolas Jackson doubled the advantage after the break with a sharp touch and finish. Emi Buendia then made it 3-0 before Spurs launched a late fightback. Conor Gallagher and Jan Paul van Hecke pulled two goals back, yet Villa held on.

John Townley’s report for Birmingham Live highlighted the striker’s influence, while Alan Shearer offered the strongest assessment on Match of the Day. The Premier League’s record goalscorer praised his aggression, physical strength and repeated runs behind the defence.

Shearer said Tottenham’s centre-backs “couldn’t live with him” and described the finish as “absolutely outstanding”. He added that consistency could make him a “very cute signing”. The comments underline why Emery wanted him as Ollie Watkins’ replacement.

“I loved his performance. He gave the two centre-halves a torrid afternoon and he battered them,” Shearer said.

“His physicality and mentality, running in behind, he was just too good for them. I loved this, the aggression.

“So many times he found himself in that position, just in between the two centre-halves. That was the start of things to come.

“They couldn’t live with him. As soon as the ball goes backwards, he’s away and he’s running.

“The touch and the finish [for his goal] is absolutely outstanding. You’ve got to look to him for consistency. If he keeps doing that, he could be a very cute signing.”