Tottenham defeat doesn't define Aston Villa's season, says Ollie Watkins

Aston Villa's prolific striker Ollie Watkins emphasised that Sunday's disappointing defeat at home against fellow Champions League contenders Tottenham does not encapsulate their entire season.

All eyes were on Villa Park as fourth hosted fifth, with Unai Emery's side edging the first half before being blown away by swashbuckling Spurs after the break.

James Maddison and Brennan Johnson goals were followed by Villa skipper John McGinn receiving a straight red card for a reckless challenge on Destiny Udogie.

There was no coming back from that sending off, with Son Heung-min and substitute Timo Werner completing a 4-0 hammering in stoppage time.

"Really disappointing," Villa striker Watkins said. "First half I felt we had a few opportunities on the break, I had an opportunity myself, I've chopped back, maybe I should shoot.

"But I felt in the first half they didn't cause us too many problems, I think they had one corner.

"Second half we've come out a little bit slow and they're always quick coming out in the second half.

"They've scored two goals really quickly and it's very difficult against a good side to come back from 2-0. Obviously, with our captain getting sent off as well, it was difficult."

The result saw Spurs cut the gap to fourth-placed Villa to two points on a day when Emery's men had the chance to extend their advantage to an eye-watering eight points.

Watkins' disappointment was clear after the heavy home loss but there will be no wallowing in self-pity after what he believed was just a bump in the road.

"The ref said he checked it but (Micky Van De Ven) has definitely caught my Achilles there," the England international said.

"Then I felt another one, from I think it was Pedro Porro, in the early five minutes of the game, which is not great trying to run it off.

"But that's no excuse for a poor performance from myself, I can definitely do better and, as a team, we can do better.

"But this doesn't define us, this game doesn't define our season.

"We've done unbelievable to get where we are, really proud of all the boys, we've still got a lot of football to play. So, this game doesn't define our season."

Villa return to action against Ajax in the Europa Conference League last-16 second leg on Thursday before travelling to West Ham in the Premier League on Sunday.

They will start that match in fifth if Spurs win at Fulham on Saturday evening, plus Ange Postecoglou's improving outfit also boasting a game in hand on Villa.

The Australian has overseen an impressive change in style and mindset since his appointment last summer and skipper Son wants to become his "perfect player".

"It's not (down to) just myself to be here, I need help from the manager and the staff," Son told the Evening Standard. "Everybody helps me a lot, especially the gaffer.

"He makes me a better player. I hope it's not finished. I want to be a perfect player for him and I still have to work on being a perfect player for him.

"What do I need to do? Maybe you have to ask the gaffer, but I have to work even harder. There are many aspects I have to improve."