Roberto de Zerbi: Spurs 'too fragile' after 3-2 home defeat by Aston Villa
September 19, 2026 17:40
WHAT HAPPENED
Aston Villa took a 1-0 lead through Johan Manzambi while Tottenham were temporarily down to 10 men as Micky van de Ven received treatment. Nicolas Jackson and Emi Buendia extended Villa's advantage to 3-0 before Conor Gallagher and Jan Paul van Hecke scored late — Tottenham's first Premier League goals of the campaign — which proved only consolation.
De Zerbi criticised his team's defending and accepted responsibility. He highlighted a need for stronger communication and compact defending, and said: "I take my responsibility." He also described tactical adjustments made during the match, including deploying Rodrigo Bentancur as a centre-back and Mateus Fernandes as a midfielder.
KEY CONTEXT
Tottenham have lost three of their opening five Premier League matches and have failed to win any of their last 36 top-flight games in which they conceded first. The club has spent over £300m in the summer and are experiencing their worst start to a top-flight season since 2008-09, when they had two points from five games. This is also the first time Spurs have begun a league campaign with five games without a win since 1986.
Reaction to the performance included jeers from some Villa supporters, who chanted "Sacked in the morning" at de Zerbi.
Former striker Glenn Murray urged patience, saying de Zerbi is "trying to build something" and pointing to recent metrics — more shots in three of the past four games, more possession and more touches in the opposition box — as reasons to be patient.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT
Tottenham will observe a three-week international break before returning to Premier League action.