With the final match on the line, Son Heung-min (33, Tottenham) returned to the starting lineup, boosting his match fitness. However, he could not prevent a record-breaking humiliation.

Tottenham Hotspur suffered a 0-2 defeat against Aston Villa in the away match of Round 37 of the Premier League 2024-2025 season held on the 17th (Korea time) at Villa Park in Birmingham, England.

Following this defeat, Tottenham remained at 38 points (11 wins, 5 draws, 21 losses) and maintained its position in 17th place. In contrast, Aston Villa accumulated 66 points (19 wins, 9 draws, 9 losses), moving up to 5th place in the league, surpassing Manchester City, which has played one game less, thereby signaling a positive development toward securing a place in next season's Champions League.

Tottenham has gone six league matches without a win (1 draw, 5 losses) and faced its 21st loss of the season, setting a new record for the most losses since the club's inception in the Premier League.

Tottenham deployed a 4-2-3-1 formation. Mathis Tell was positioned at the front, with Son Heung-min, Wilson Odobert, and Mikey Moore forming the second line of attack. Pape Sarr and Archie Gray filled the midfield, while Sergio Reguilón, Ben Davies, Kevin Danso, and Jed Spence comprised the back four. Antonin Kinski guarded the goal.

In this match, Son Heung-min returned to the starting lineup after about a month. Following a foot injury that sidelined him for seven games since the first leg of the Europa League quarterfinal against Eintracht Frankfurt on the 11th of last month, he played a short period in the second half of the match against Crystal Palace on the 11th before starting in this match against Villa. His return match ended with 74 minutes of play, during which he moved actively, primarily on the left flank.

Manager Ange Postecoglou hinted at Son Heung-min's participation before the match, stating it was "time to increase his playing time," emphasizing his return to the starting lineup. Indeed, Son brought energy to the match from the beginning with sprints into the penalty box, a curling shot within the box, and sharp crosses from the flanks. In the 15th minute, a curled shot went over the goal, and in the 39th minute, he created a sharp cross during a rapid counterattack.

The overall completeness of the team was far from adequate. With many key players, aside from Son Heung-min, being excluded from the bench or the roster, rotation members were heavily utilized, and a different defensive counterattack strategy was implemented. After an early offensive, Tottenham gradually succumbed to Villa's pressure, ultimately collapsing after conceding a first goal from Konsa in the 14th minute of the second half and a sealing goal from Kamara in the 28th minute.

Son Heung-min departed for the bench in the 29th minute of the second half alongside Sergio Reguilón, with Rodrigo Bentancur and Dominic Solanke coming on, but it was insufficient to change the momentum. In the 42nd minute, Brennan Johnson and Richarlison came on for Mikey Moore and Wilson Odobert, but a consolation goal never materialized.

Through this match, Son Heung-min recorded his 453rd appearance for Tottenham, ranking sixth for the most appearances in the club's history, but he could not change the team's atmosphere.

Playing 74 minutes, Son recorded 1 shot, a pass success rate of 88% (21/24), 3 touches in the opponent's box, 0% (0/1) success in dribble attempts, and 3 passes in the attacking area. He also attempted 6 duels but did not win any.

Record number of losses in the league, six consecutive games without a win, and an endless downward spiral in performance. Tottenham now has only one hope: to put everything on the line for the UEFA Europa League final. Tottenham will face Manchester United in its last match of the season at San Mamés Stadium in Bilbao, Spain, on the 22nd.

Captain Son Heung-min wonders if he can restore the team's honor and clinch the only trophy of the season in this match.

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