Reguilon sends message to Bryan Gil after first Tottenham league start

Tottenham Hotspur were unable to once again come from behind yesterday as they were defeated by Aston Villa.

Second-half goals from Emi Buendia and Douglas Luiz earned the visitors a well-deserved three points.

It meant young winger Bryan Gil made his first ever Tottenham start in the league yesterday.

The 21-year-old has had to wait 18 months to be given the nod from the beginning of a Premier League match for Spurs.

He was given just over an hour of action before being replaced by Ryan Sessegnon.

Gil’s work-rate was excellent off the ball, but he failed to have a single shot as Spurs struggled to create any clear-cut chances.

Typically a left winger, Gil was deployed on the right to allow Son Heung-min to play in his natural role.

He had some seriously big shoes to fill replacing Kulusevski, and didn’t have the same understanding with Matt Doherty on the right.

Gil makes first Tottenham league start

The Spaniard took to Instagram after the match to deliver a message to Tottenham’s fans.

“Full confidence in this team,” Gil said.

“It’s time to correct and work for the next game. Come on Spurs.”

Gil was sent a message by on-loan Tottenham defender Sergio Reguilon.

The left-back simply said, ‘Come on baby brother’, and was clearly very happy to see Gil finally get his opportunity.

Gil is expected to leave the club on loan this month, with Jorge Sampaoli keen to bring him to Sevilla.

The 21-year-old needs more first-team minutes, and has no shortage of potential suitors.

It’s been a frustrating start to the season for Gil, who wanted to leave the club in the summer.

However, Antonio Conte blocked the move, but has failed to give Gil any meaningful opportunities.

Gil’s appearance yesterday felt like a message from Conte to the club to invest properly in January.

He didn’t make enough of an impact to change those plans, but Gil will be happy to have finally made his first Tottenham league start.