Job done and that was about it.
That goal came when Luiz Junior spilled a cross into his own net inside four minutes. From there, Spurs opted for containment rather than push for another goal. There were some nervy moments and some frustrated supporters, but Thomas Frank’s side are up and running with a victory.
Frank-ball too pragmatic?
It is not necessarily thrill-a-minute, but Spurs’ approach earned them an Champions League win and provided the blueprint of what can be expected over the coming weeks and months in Europe.
Spurs were very cautious and that will take some adjusting to for supporters who had grown accustomed to the swashbuckling approach that defined Ange Postecoglou.
Favourite: Thomas Frank
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The trade-off, of course, is that there was little to trouble the Villarreal defence after the early own goal. It led to a fairly muted atmosphere, Spurs fans having not much to engage with beyond a few frustrating decisions from the referee.
There were occasions when the home side could have committed numbers forward on the break, but on most occasions, Spurs turned back and played the safe pass, even when it frustrated the supporters.
Spurs backed themselves to hold on. Not pushing for a second goal does leave them vulnerable to a mistake or moment of magic from the opposition, but Frank will feel the pragmatic approach is the best bet for success in Europe. Time will tell if he is right.
Simons leaves Spurs fans waiting
Again Frank opted to start Simons on the left wing and again he offered only glimpses of what he can offer.
That is to be expected so soon in his Spurs career, but it does raise the question of how Frank uses the Dutchman in upcoming matches.
Simons’ best moments came in the first half when he drifted inside and found himself in a central position. He fired a rising effort just over the bar and another one whistled just wide.
Slow start: Xavi Simons
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There were some better signs for his partnership with Djed Spence, a couple of nice backheels finding the full-back on the overlap, but overall it was another quiet display. Frank must be tempted to shift him into the No10 role.
Simons was fortunate not to have been sent off, too. After picking up a first-half booking for standing on Santiago Mourino’s foot, Simons swiped Nicolas Pepe’s legs from under him to stop a Villarreal counter after the break.
It should have been a second yellow card in what would have been a disastrous European debut. Instead, he was replaced with 15 minutes having hardly had a kick in the second half.
Palhinha shows significance
There is an argument that Joao Palhinha was Spurs’ best player on the night and he only played 20 minutes.
He was replaced in the starting lineup by Rodrigo Bentancur and in his absence Spurs were far less stable in midfield, particularly after the break.
Not helped by some incredibly slack Spurs passing, Villarreal were able to run at the likes of Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero, and the hosts were losing the battle in the middle of the pitch.
Impact: Joao Palhinha
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That was clear to Frank and he turned to Palhinha, who had an immediate impact. He snapped into challenges and won the ball back high up the pitch, then playing it out wide for Mohammed Kudus and his cross very nearly picked out Richarlison at the back post.
Palhinha’s influence was key right through into stoppage-time, when he charged back and committed a timely foul to stop Villarreal on the counter and allow Spurs to get back.
His cameo will give Frank real doubts about leaving Palhinha out of the starting lineup again, particularly in the Champions League.
