As is so often the case after an emphatic – at least in scoreline, if not 90-minute performance – Tottenham win, it was one of Harry Kane or Son Heung-min in the headlines.

The South Korean’s hat-trick was decisive in ensuring Spurs responded to a brutal first-half onslaught from Aston Villa to inflict what Steven Gerrard justifiably deemed a “harsh” 4-0 defeat. So too, was Kane, who provided two assists.

But, as is rapidly becoming commonplace in increasingly regular Spurs victories, Dejan Kulusevski formed a crucial cog in a rampant three-pronged Tottenham forward line, scoring one and assisting another. No one in the Premier League has assisted more goals than his six since he made his Tottenham debut in February.

His is a talent that is intriguing on the eye. Where he initially threatened to underwhelm with what might seem cumbersome movements – he is not the most natural speedy player – after joining on an initial 18-month loan from Juventus, he has rapidly proved his doubters wrong with his quick ball-carrying and strength in possession. And aged 21, he is only one month older than Phil Foden.

After struggling to hold down a regular position at Juventus, he endured brief early stints as a second striker and right wing-back at Spurs before cementing his place on the right of Tottenham’s attacking trio and consigning Lucas Moura to bench duties.

Yet the strength of his movement defies such a fixed position. At Villa Park on Saturday, he scored his goal from the left, collecting the ball from a fine Kane header and working a couple of yards of space before shooting beautifully through Tyrone Mings’ legs into the far corner. He then assisted Son’s hat-trick goal with some jiggery-pokery down the right.