'Bentinha' won the game for Tottenham against Aston Villa, and here is how - Opinion

Goalscoring Conor Gallagher and Richarlison will take the headlines – and rightly so – but Sunday felt like a game Tottenham won in midfield.

For a pairing that’s drawn its fair share of groans around North London, Rodrigo Bentancur and Joao Palhinha were central to everything Spurs did well on Sunday. 

They constantly dropped into the backline and rotated with full-backs, allowing Destiny Udogie and Pedro Porro to flourish in roles suited to them. This shaped how Tottenham moved the ball, how they handled pressure, and ultimately how they took control of the game.

Bentancur-Palhinha partnership was hated under Thomas Frank at Tottenham

It’s no surprise that the Rodrigo Bentancur – Joao Palhinha partnership had started to wear thin with Spurs supporters. 

“Bentinha” had almost become shorthand for both the results and football that N17 saw under Thomas Frank: slow circulation, safe passes and stale football.

Under the Dane, where the duo played alongside each other the most, Bentancur and Palhinha were rigid in movement, rarely straying any further than 10 yards from each other, always clogging up an already congested central midfield. 

At Villa Park, though, their roles felt clearer and better aligned with their profiles. Palhinha, in particular, consistently dropped into defence during the build-up, effectively forming part of a back three. 

That did two things. 

First, it gave Tottenham a better platform against Villa’s press. Unai Emery’s side is synonymous with an organised, central setup, so having the pivot split and stretch wide caused confusion and visible “whose-man-is-that?” questions.

Second, it freed up others – most notably Porro – to operate in more advanced roles. Porro’s movement into the right half-space added a layer of technical quality and forward intent that the squad is missing through injuries.

Without James Maddison, Mohammed Kudus, and most recently Xavi Simons, Spurs fans have been wondering where any creativity will come from.

The Spaniard attempted and completed the most progressive passes for Spurs.

He was allowed to float centrally while his fullback partner, Udogie, could fly high and wide, offering angles and creating space for the team on the left-hand side.

This dynamic, asymmetric shape was only possible with Palhinha’s ability to read when and where to position himself.

Rodrigo Bentancur was just as valuable in unlocking teammates

When Tottenham needed to slow things down or escape tight moments, he was the one showing in space, taking on the half-turn and keeping moves alive.

There was a simplicity to it, but also a sense of purpose: recycling possessions when needed, but choosing the right moments to move them forward.

The Uruguayan, despite his athletic decline, looked back to his Conte-era best, anchoring a midfield that looked very balanced.

Roberto De Zerbi got this game tactically correct, and the midfield is the best example of this.

The same midfield, which was once a metonym for mediocrity, dominated the Villains, as they were used in a way that masked their limitations and leant into their strengths.

The duo’s dominance across the pitch was the biggest driving factor behind a statement victory.

One that Spurs fans will be praying their club builds upon.

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