Mauricio: "I love how the players work and their respect for the Club"

Ben Davies typifies Mauricio Pochettino’s philosophy at Spurs.

This is what the manager said before Sunday's FA Cup tie against Villa. "For me, football is about the collective, all feeling part of success and failure, too. You have to give the team a balance over 10 months we’re in competition. All the players are important, some play more than others, but if they are at Tottenham, they can play in every game.”

Imagine for a moment how tough it’s been individually for Ben and his fellow full-back Kieran Trippier as Danny Rose and Kyle Walker continue to excel.

Below: Watch Ben's goal in the Villa highlights

Yet both are ultimate professionals, both give everything every day on the training pitch to be ready when they are called upon – and when they are called upon, they deliver.

That was the case again as we navigated a tough third round tie against Villa.

Grafting away to break down a stubborn Villa side, Ben produced the moment that mattered on 71 minutes, heading home his first Spurs goal (on his 68th appearance) to send us on our way to a 2-0 victory and fourth round tie at home to Wycombe Wanderers.

“Ben deserves a lot of credit, to work and to fight with another full-back, both are at a good level and it’s difficult for me to be fair with them,” said Mauricio.

Been looking forward to this one #coyspic.twitter.com/m4s4V7Reuq

— Ben Davies (@Ben_Davies33) January 8, 2017

“It’s for that reason I love them all because of how they work, how they behave, their respect for the Club, how they show every day how professional they are - and that’s fantastic for us.

“It was a fantastic performance from Ben, Kieran, Cameron, Harry Winks, Kevin Wimmer. All the players from the bench had a real impact as well and it’s great to see how they perform because we’re a team and that’s the most important thing.”