North London’s early-season unease deepened on Saturday as Tottenham fell 3-2 to Aston Villa, a result that left Roberto De Zerbi confronting both a relegation-zone position and mounting scrutiny after five Premier League rounds without a win.
Key takeaways
- Tottenham have taken only two points from their opening five league matches and sit second from bottom.
- Aston Villa struck three times after the interval, with Manzambi scoring first in the 51st minute.
- De Zerbi criticised Tottenham’s defending and composure, particularly on Villa’s second goal from a long goalkeeper’s kick.
- Spurs have won one of seven fixtures in all competitions in 2026/27, losing four and drawing two.
- The club have already exited the League Cup following defeat to Liverpool.
A difficult afternoon turns into another setback
Tottenham had opportunities during the first half but failed to take them, and Villa made the shift in momentum count soon after the restart. Manzambi opened the scoring six minutes into the second period, at a time when Micky van de Ven was off the pitch receiving treatment and Spurs were temporarily down to 10 men.
Villa doubled their lead eight minutes later. The move began with a long distribution from the visiting goalkeeper towards the edge of the Tottenham penalty area, an episode that particularly angered De Zerbi. The visitors then moved 3-0 ahead before Spurs found two goals in stoppage time, too late to change the result.
The Italian coach, appointed near the end of last season, said the display had left him “very disappointed, sad and frustrated”. He argued that his side could not afford to lose a match in that fashion, singling out the concession of the second goal and the loss of balance that followed.
De Zerbi said he had spoken to his four forwards at the start of the second half, in the 51st minute, urging them to remain calm and think clearly. In his view, Tottenham had largely managed the game and avoided danger after that conversation, making the second Villa goal all the more difficult for him to accept.
De Zerbi calls for leadership
The Tottenham manager said Villa’s direct approach had been discussed in advance. He noted that Aston Villa have used 86% more long balls than they did last season, and said that information had been addressed in several team meetings.
While accepting his own responsibility, De Zerbi also demanded more from the senior figures in his squad. “Leaders have to lead the team,” was the essence of his message, as he warned that football, like life, punishes sides that are not strong enough.
Across the Premier League and League Cup, Tottenham’s record now stands at eight goals scored and 12 conceded from seven games. Their sole victory represents a 14.2% return, while four defeats and two draws have left the campaign with little early momentum.
With Liverpool having already ended Tottenham’s League Cup involvement and the league table showing only two points from five matches, pressure around De Zerbi’s position has intensified in the English press. For now, the next challenge is simpler and more urgent: turn performances, warnings and meetings into points before the gap above the bottom three grows.
