Roberto De Zerbi chose not to address his Tottenham squad following their 3-2 collapse against Aston Villa at home on Saturday, branding his players “too fragile.”
The Italian admitted he deliberately avoided the dressing room. “I didn’t speak with the players today because I didn’t want to say anything,” he said. “Maybe it’s better.”
De Zerbi described himself as deeply upset by what unfolded. “Today I was very disappointed, very sad, very frustrated for the performance,” he said. “Because we can’t lose this game, in this way, absolutely.”
He accepted personal blame for the attacking shortcomings. “If you didn’t score, it’s my responsibility. I take my responsibility,” he said. “Football is like life, either you are stronger or you lose.”
Roberto De Zerbi refused to speak to his own players after defeat to Villa
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Spurs found themselves behind in first-half stoppage time when Johan Manzambi struck for Villa, with captain Micky van de Ven off the pitch receiving treatment at the time.
Nicolas Jackson doubled the visitors’ advantage in the 67th minute after bewildering both Jan Paul van Hecke and Van de Ven. Emi Buendia then delivered a spectacular long-range effort with 11 minutes remaining, prompting supporters to stream towards the exits.
Late goals from Conor Gallagher and Van Hecke provided some consolation, finally ending a run of four Premier League matches without scoring. The damage, however, was already done.
De Zerbi’s half-time decision to replace Mateus Fernandes with Mohammed Kudus backfired, with Villa seizing control of midfield after the interval. “We can’t concede the second goal. We can’t lose balance, just because in the first half we are losing,” he said.
Tottenham now sit in the relegation zone heading into the international break, having failed to secure a single victory from their opening five Premier League fixtures.
Aston Villa went three goals up against Tottenham before two late goals from Spurs
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Both sides entered the match following summer rebuilds that had yielded poor early returns, though Spurs’ situation looks considerably more dire.
The defeat extended a wretched home record that now reads just three top-flight wins from 25 matches at their stadium, with none coming in three attempts this campaign.
Supporters who remained until the final whistle made their displeasure clear, booing the players off the pitch. There is growing anxiety among the fanbase that the club could find itself dragged into another survival fight, having only narrowly avoided the drop last season.
De Zerbi will be without a significant portion of his squad during the three-week international break as players depart for national team duty. Rather than viewing this as a setback, the Italian suggested it could work in his favour.
“The players who go with the national team, they have to play and they have to work, and the other players Maddison, Gallagher, Solanke, Tosin, Senesi, Savio for sure, we have to work more because also the physical condition, I didn’t like even this game,” he said.
Poor fitness levels have been a recurring theme in De Zerbi’s post-match assessments throughout this troubled opening to the season. He intends to use the pause to put those remaining at the training ground through intensive sessions, with physical conditioning a clear priority.
Roberto De Zerbi has yet to win a Premier League game this season with Spurs
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Aston Villa’s victory was their first in the Premier League this season, arriving at the fifth attempt — mirroring their slow start to the previous campaign. Manager Unai Emery was full of praise for his side’s display.
“We are delighted with how the players respond to the game plan,” Emery said, highlighting goalkeeper Zion Suzuki’s key saves and Nicolas Jackson’s menacing performance.
“Jackson improved clearly his performance compared to matches before. This is the way forward,” the Spaniard added.
Emery also offered a generous assessment of his opponents despite their struggles. “Of course Tottenham is Tottenham. It is still beating Tottenham,” he said. “This coach is a fantastic coach. Now they are under expectation, but they are performing well.”
