De Zerbi under pressure after Tottenham fall to Aston Villa

Tottenham entered the match still searching for both their first league win and first league goal of the campaign. With anxiety already building around the club, a fast start felt essential — and the home side initially delivered one.

Match highlight

Savio was inches away from ending Spurs’ scoring drought in the 10th minute, finding space at the far post before forcing Zion Suzuki into an outstanding double save. 

The Villa goalkeeper was quickly called into action again, denying Archie Gray before keeping out a fierce Savio volley from the edge of the area.

Yet for all Tottenham’s early intensity, Villa carried a constant threat whenever they broke forward. Emiliano Buendia was handed a glorious opportunity after Spurs lost possession in their own penalty area, but Antonin Kinsky made an important stop. 

Nicolas Jackson then dragged an effort narrowly wide, while Tottenham responded through Sandro Tonali, whose ambitious 30-yard strike flew just past the post.

The hosts’ growing unease turned into frustration just before half-time. Boubacar Kamara’s attempted shot fell kindly for Johan Manzambi, who reacted sharply to turn home from close range and give Villa a crucial lead.

De Zerbi responded at the interval by introducing Mohamed Kudus, a change that underlined his dissatisfaction with Tottenham’s first-half performance. 

However, Villa remained the more clinical side. Kinsky kept Spurs in the contest early in the second half with a fine one-on-one save from Jackson, but the pressure did not ease.

Tottenham thought they had finally found their breakthrough on the hour mark when Kudus finished, only for the goal to be ruled out after Andy Robertson was adjudged offside in the build-up.

Villa punished that disappointment ruthlessly. Just over five minutes later, Jackson doubled the visitors’ advantage with a low, precise finish into the bottom corner, despite Kinsky getting a hand to the ball. 

Buendia then appeared to put the contest beyond doubt 11 minutes from time, unleashing a magnificent 25-yard effort into the top corner as sections of the Tottenham crowd headed for the exits amid audible boos.

Spurs did at least find the net for the first time this season when Conor Gallagher’s effort deflected off Matty Cash and crossed the line. Jan Paul van Hecke then headed home in the dying seconds to set up a frantic finish, but Villa held on.

The late goals offered only limited consolation. Tottenham remain without a league win, while De Zerbi faces an increasingly difficult three-week international break with discontent growing around his side.