It has been a rather chaotic start to the Premier League season for Tottenham, but the past week or so is the clearest sign yet that things could be settling down.

The one thing Ange Postecoglou’s team had missed so far this season was a statement win. The demolition of Manchester United looked as though it could be just that – but then United are not the force of days gone by. Even West Ham beat them.

They needed to beat a team with similar or bigger aspirations than themselves this season. That moment did not arrive at home to Arsenal, or at Brighton. But the win over Aston Villa changes a great deal.

Tottenham’s new strike force was working at full tilt and the fact they ran riot late on indicates what a relaxed, fit, confident Spurs first team can achieve this season. Previously that was something of an unanswered question.

Aston Villa are currently a Champions League force to be reckoned with and remain a fiercely competitive Premier League side too. Tottenham fans are entitled to think that if they can do that to Villa, particularly at home, then they can do it to anyone in the division.

With the Carabao Cup win over Manchester City just days earlier too, all of a sudden there are a string of results the manager, players and fans can be deeply proud of. The most effective version of Tottenham Hotspur has stood up to be counted at a really important point in the season.