'The result Frank craved - if not the performance'

Thomas Frank's Champions League management record reads: one game, one win.

This landmark occasion for the Dane, who was appointed Tottenham's new head coach earlier summer, ended with the result – if not performance – he craved.

But despite the victory, the 51-year-old is far too intelligent not to glean learnings from his debut in Europe's premier club competition.

Three points are three points, of course. When all is said and done, that's all that really matters.

But Spurs let Villarreal off the hook. Having scored, courtesy of goalkeeper Luiz Junior's horrendous mistake inside the opening five minutes, Tottenham should really have gone for the jugular.

Instead, they appeared too tentative to take the bull by the horns, failing to really kill off their Spanish opponents with the initiative in their hands.

"Offensively, we struggled to create," admitted Frank.

"But it's a big win. In any competition to get a win and a good start [is important]. Champions League is unbelievably tough. They are a good team we faced and we managed to get out of a very tough game as winners.

"To do that together is good - it builds an extra foundation."

Tottenham had one shot on target the entire night. Villarreal, particularly in the second half, threatened to make Spurs pay for their lack of potency, but in the end failed to deliver an equaliser.

Such is the ruthless nature of this competition, next time Tottenham may not be so fortunate - yet this victory will leave them in good stead for what is on the horizon in this competition.

Midfielder Lucas Bergvall, in particular, will benefit from the experience of the encounter against the La Liga side.

Like his manager, Bergvall was making his Champions League debut - not that you would have known it by the maturity of his performance.

The Swede was arguably the pick of Tottenham's players. At just 19, Bergvall is already emerging as an important player for Frank - his performance against Villarreal the latest in a growing catalogue of impressive displays.

It will be interesting to see how Frank approaches Bergvall in terms of his playing time over the coming months.

The talent is unquestionable, but will he need an element of protection from the rigours of three matches in a week?

"It's a dream since I was a young kid," said Bergvall after his Champions League bow.

"Unbelievable feeling - at home and to get three points as well. Amazing."