Ange Postecoglou 's post-match press conferences have tended to be morose, low-energy affairs during Tottenham 's winter slump, the Spurs head coach often mumbling his way through short answers while staring dejectedly at the floor.

Two cup exits have left Tottenham staring at the prospect of another trophyless season and Ange Postecoglou facing perhaps his biggest crisis at the club.

Head coach hopes a week to prepare to face Man Utd can rejuvenate beleaguered squad with injury crisis to be eased at same time

Ange Postecoglou has set out his plan for a rare down week for Tottenham, which includes some time off for his jaded squad and “a full week” working with players returning from injury. Spurs need to regroup after a damaging week in which they were knocked out of both the Carabao Cup and the FA Cup.

Tottenham may be exhausted but they looked weak, flimsy, compounding their difficulties with a capacity to give the ball away, further hampered by Pedro Porro’s propensity to be out of position. But it was testament to Villa’s brilliance.