‘We have to keep working’ – Spurs boss De Zerbi demands focus after Villa win
Tottenham coach Roberto De Zerbi has urged his players to keep their focus despite a 2-1 win over Aston Villa at Villa Park on Sunday to move out of the relegation zone.
The visitors took advantage of Unai Emery’s decision to make seven changes to the side that lost to Nottingham Forest in the Europa League semi-final on Thursday.
Tottenham enjoyed a blistering start in the encounter with Connor Gallagher opening the scoring in the 12th minute with a low finish from 20 yards.
Joao Palhinha’s effort hit the post before Richarlison added the second goal from Mathys Tel’s cross in the 25th minute.
Substitute Emi Buendia reduced the deficit for Tottenham in the 96th minute but it was too little too late as Tottenham held on to seal a vital win.
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De Zerbi praised his players for digging deep to earn a vital victory while urging them to keep their focus ahead of the last three game of the season.
He said: “Especially in the first half, we could score more goals than two. We didn’t concede any chance to score and played very well. The right spirit and behaviour on the pitch. I’m pleased with the performances.
I knew my players were very good before this game. We have not forgotten the situation before Wolverhampton The season is not finished yet and we cannot be happy just for these two wins. We have to keep working with the same mentality.
“And now I don’t want to hear the positive voice. We have to stay focused for the next game. I think my biggest job is to help the players to show their qualities. Their level is not to fight for relegation but we have to accept and be stronger than the people who speak too much.
“We have to feel the same pressure. Football can change week-by-week and we can’t forget the position in the table and what we felt before the Wolves game. We have to push again.”
De Zerbi has now guided Tottenham to two consecutive wins against Wolves, and Aston Villa.
However, Aston Villa have suffered two consecutive defeats in the Premier League.
Aston Villa coach, Unai Emery was disappointed with his team’s first half performance in the encounter.
He said: “Today we faced a team that played fantastically and they competed fantastically. They needed the points and they fought to get it.
“In the first half we didn’t perform well, in the second half we reacted but it was not enough. In 35 games, things are very good and we have the advantage to still be in the top five but we must continue to be demanding.
“Maybe the points [for Champions League qualification] is not enough and we must try to recover our form and do the things we were doing – there are still three matches to go. They [Tottenham] played fantastic, they pressed, they won duels and we were not dominant in individual duels and they beat us.”
Aston Villa will be back in Premier League action on Sunday with a trip to Burnley while Tottenham will take on Leeds United on Monday.
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Top Stats From Aston Villa vs Tottenham
Aston Villa had one touch in the opposition box in the first 60 minutes; the fewest by a team in the opening hour of a Premier League match this season.
5.3 – Tottenham have won possession in the final third, on average, 5.3 times per game under Roberto De Zerbi in the Premier League so far – the highest average for any team under a manager this season.
Aston Villa have lost four of their last eight home Premier League matches (W3 D1), only one fewer than they did across their previous 55 at Villa Park combined (W38 D12 L5).
Tottenham Hotspur have won consecutive Premier League matches for the first time since winning their opening two games of this season (v Burnley and Manchester City).
Richarlison has now scored 10+ goals in five different Premier League seasons; the joint most of any Brazilian player, along with Roberto Firmino.
