---
title: "Christian Eriksen proves how vital he could be for Spurs"
canonical: "https://readtottenham.com/2019/08/12/christian-eriksen-proves-how-vital-he-could-be-for-spurs/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Jack Cunningham"
section: "Features"
published: "2019-08-12T18:55:29Z"
modified: "2019-08-13T09:37:07Z"
---

# Christian Eriksen proves how vital he could be for Spurs

Sixty-four minutes into Tottenham’s opening game of the season at home to [Aston Villa](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49215981) – and Spurs are struggling to break down a [well-organised](https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/tottenham-news-christian-eriksen-transfer-latest-vs-aston-villa-match-epl-a9052731.html) Villa side, who have the lead thanks to [John McGinn’s](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49215981)first Premier League goal.

Tottenham’s new [£53.8m man](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48841318) Tanguy Ndombele, Moussa Sissoko and Harry Winks are [struggling to create](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49215981) anything for Harry Kane.

Mauricio Pochettino turns to his bench and brings on [Christian Eriksen](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49215981) – the Dane who has publicly declared he is ready for a [new challenge](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/jun/05/tottenham-christian-eriksen-says-he-is-ready-for-a-new-challenge).

The 27-year-old had a poor pre-season including[two missed penalties](https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/9652551/spurs-inter-milan-pre-season-penalties-defeat-eriksen-skipp/) – but his [class on the ball](https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/tottenham-news-christian-eriksen-transfer-latest-vs-aston-villa-match-epl-a9052731.html) was what Spurs needed against Dean Smith’s side.

Within [seven minutes](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AazxJVhfrno) of entering the fray, Tottenham [were level](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AazxJVhfrno) – and they had Eriksen to thank for [creating the opportunity](https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/tottenham-news-christian-eriksen-transfer-latest-vs-aston-villa-match-epl-a9052731.html).

After his[initial corner](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AazxJVhfrno) was cleared the ball was played back to the 27-year-old – and he whipped in a [superb ball](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AazxJVhfrno), that was begging to be finished off, [Davinson Sanchez connected](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AazxJVhfrno), but Tom Heaton made a [fantastic save](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AazxJVhfrno) to deny him.

The ball then came back to Ndombele – and he lashed in the [equaliser](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AazxJVhfrno), there was only going to be one winner from that point.

Eriksen also nearly scored a [sublime free-kick](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AazxJVhfrno) – but Heaton denied him.

Eventually, Spurs got the goals they needed thanks to [Harry Kane](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49215981) – and Pochettino’s campaign is off to a [winning start](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49215981), but he has to thank his [Danish playmaker](https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/tottenham-news-christian-eriksen-transfer-latest-vs-aston-villa-match-epl-a9052731.html) for providing that spark they were crying out for.

Eriksen was subsequently voted [Man of the Match](https://twitter.com/SpursOfficial/status/1160522248920489984) by a lot of Spurs fans – and this game showed why he is [so crucial](https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/tottenham-news-christian-eriksen-transfer-latest-vs-aston-villa-match-epl-a9052731.html) to Tottenham.

His[craft and guile](https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/tottenham-news-christian-eriksen-transfer-latest-vs-aston-villa-match-epl-a9052731.html) unlocked the door – and swung the[momentum](https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/tottenham-news-christian-eriksen-transfer-latest-vs-aston-villa-match-epl-a9052731.html) in Spurs’ favour, he may want a [new challenge](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/jun/05/tottenham-christian-eriksen-says-he-is-ready-for-a-new-challenge), but if they can keep him, then he will be a [vital player](https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/tottenham-news-christian-eriksen-transfer-latest-vs-aston-villa-match-epl-a9052731.html) for Pochettino’s side once again.