Tottenham’s season has slipped into the relegation places after Aston Villa left north London with a 3-2 win, prompting Roberto De Zerbi to question both his side’s defending and the condition of several players.
The Spurs manager accepted his share of responsibility after a fifth league match without a victory, but his post-match assessment made clear that he expects far more from a squad rebuilt at considerable cost over the summer.
A bleak afternoon for Spurs
- Tottenham began the weekend still seeking their first Premier League win of the campaign, having collected only two points from four matches.
- They spent €366 million on new signings during the summer window, yet the defeat to Villa left them in the bottom three after five games.
- De Zerbi felt his team had the better of the opening half, saying they controlled play, fashioned more chances and performed well before the interval.
- Villa nevertheless built a 3-0 advantage with ten minutes remaining, before Tottenham scored twice late on to reduce the damage without changing the result.
De Zerbi said there were positives to take, but insisted they did not add up to an acceptable performance. “We cannot say that everything is bad, but it is not enough,” he said.
Defensive lapse draws manager’s anger
The Italian was particularly frustrated by Villa’s second goal, scored by Nico Jackson after a long ball from the visiting goalkeeper. De Zerbi said Tottenham had been aware that Villa use the tactic regularly and had no excuse for being caught out by it.
“It is unacceptable to concede from a long kick by the opposition goalkeeper,” he said. “That is especially true when Aston Villa have used that approach in many games.”
He called for a tighter defensive unit and challenged Tottenham’s senior figures to set the standard. “We need to defend as a compact side. Leaders have to lead and take the team with them,” De Zerbi said.
Mateus Fernandes and Solanke challenged
Mateus Fernandes, brought in for €99 million in the summer, was singled out by the manager after the match. De Zerbi said he had not liked the midfielder’s display and needed to see a greater contribution.
Dominic Solanke was included in the same demand, with De Zerbi stating that the forward must offer more as Spurs attempt to climb away from trouble.
The upcoming international break will remove several players from the manager’s training ground, but De Zerbi suggested the pause may not be entirely unwelcome.
“Maybe it is for the best,” he said.
He added that those joining their national sides must use the period to play and work, while a separate group have more to prove physically.
- James Maddison
- Conor Gallagher
- Dominic Solanke
- Tosin Adarabioyo
- Marcos Senesi
- Savio
“The others need to work harder,” De Zerbi said. “I was not convinced by their physical level, including in this game.”
