Davies: Hard work under Conte paying off for Spurs

Ben Davies has had somewhat of a resurgence since Tottenham head coach Antonio Conte came into the club at the start of November.

Under Nuno Espirito Santo, Davies found himself as a largely unused substitute in the Premier League, but was utilised in the Europa Conference League and Carabao Cup fixtures as Spurs navigated multiple competitions.

The Wales international began Conte's first match in charge - a 3-2 win against Vitesse in Europe - and since then, has featured in all but one game. There is only one further game in which Davies has not started.

Conte has shifted Tottenham to his preferred back three, where Davies now plays as the left-sided centre-back, rather than at left-back where he has played much of his Spurs career.

It is a positional shift that has suited Davies, and the hours put in under Conte at Hotspur Way - where our chat takes place on a sunny but incredibly windy day - are finally paying dividends for Spurs.

"It's been really good [under Conte]," he exclusively told Sky Sports ahead of the Saturday Night Football trip to Aston Villa.

"We've worked incredibly hard, we've put a lot of work in on all aspects of our game - physically, tactically - and I think it's starting to pay off for us now.

"We have a clear way of playing and we're making it difficult for the opposition. It's been hard work but the rewards seem to be showing on the pitch.

"As a player, when you're on the training pitch, you do what the manager says. The way we've prepped for games have been different as a team, but on a personal level, not too much.

"I've been given the opportunity to play in a new position under the new manager and I love playing there. I'm making sure I'm doing everything possible to make sure I'm ready for