Roberto De Zerbi Criticizes Tottenham Leaders Following 3-2 Loss to Aston Villa

Aston Villa defeated Tottenham 3-2 on Saturday, leaving Spurs with just two points and a minus-6 goal difference after five matches.

Aston Villa secured a 3-2 victory over Tottenham Hotspur in north London on Saturday behind goals from Johan Manzambi, Nicolas Jackson, and Emi Buendia. Despite a late second-half fightback where Spurs recorded their first two goals of the Premier League season, the hosts suffered their worst start to a campaign after five games. Tottenham currently sits with two points and a minus-6 goal difference, surpassing the previous low set during the 2008-09 season.

Johan Manzambi opened the scoring on the stroke of halftime while Tottenham captain Micky van de Ven was off the pitch receiving treatment for a facial injury. Following the restart, Mohammed Kudus had a potential equalizer ruled out for offside before Nicolas Jackson doubled the visitors' lead. Roberto De Zerbi noted that the second goal arrived via a goal kick, criticizing his team's inability to defend compactly despite pre-match meetings highlighting that Villa are playing 86% more long balls this season.

De Zerbi opted not to speak to his players immediately following the defeat, instead calling on the squad's leaders to communicate more effectively. The Italian manager shifted Rodrigo Bentancur to center back and Mateus Fernandes into midfield during the first-half period when Spurs were reduced to 10 men. Aston Villa has now won three domestic matches at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium within the past year, matching Tottenham's own win total at the venue in that timeframe. Spurs next face Manchester United at Old Trafford on Oct. 10.