Aston Villa Stuns Spurs with 3-2 Victory as De Zerbi Faces Pressure

Aston Villa walked into north London under pressure and walked out with a first Premier League win of the season – and a 3-2 scoreline that leaves Tottenham and Roberto De Zerbi staring at an uncomfortable international break.

Spurs spent around £300million in the summer. They are still waiting for a league victory.

They had at least stopped the rot in front of goal with back-to-back 0-0 draws against Nottingham Forest and Everton, hints that something might be stirring. Here, once again, they started like a side trying to prove a point. And once again, they folded.

Fast start, familiar story

The tone was set early. After a midweek Carabao Cup defeat to Liverpool, Tottenham came out swinging and immediately went after Villa’s new goalkeeper, Zion Suzuki.

Sandro Tonali, sharp and aggressive down the left, carved out the first opening for Savio. His first-time strike was blocked by Suzuki, who then reacted superbly to tip over a thumping follow-up. Spurs had their tails up.

Then came the first setback. Pedro Porro limped off with an ankle injury, forcing an early reshuffle. Archie Gray came on and almost turned the mood electric within seconds, racing onto a clever Savio pass and squeezing a low effort through Suzuki that bounced off the inside of the keeper’s legs.

From the resulting set-piece, Savio met the ball with a crisp volley that looked destined for the corner. Suzuki flung himself across goal and clawed it away. Villa were hanging on, but just about.

At the other end, Antonin Kinsky had to stay sharp to beat away Emi Buendia’s fierce drive, while Nicolas Jackson spun away from Jan Paul van Hecke and dragged a shot wide. Spurs were on top, yet never fully in control.

When Tonali’s long-range effort deflected wide and penalty appeals for a Dominic Solanke header against Johan Manzambi were waved away, it felt like the half would end in frustration but without damage.

Then came the punch.

Manzambi strikes as Spurs lose their captain

Deep into first-half added time, Spurs’ concentration snapped at the worst possible moment – and with their captain off the pitch.

Micky van de Ven, who had taken a blow to the face from Tyrone Mings, was receiving treatment on the sidelines when Villa pounced. Andy Robertson tried to prevent a corner but only succeeded in keeping the ball in play for John McGinn, who recycled it smartly. Boubacar Kamara whipped in a low cross and Manzambi arrived to tap home.

Tottenham, dominant for long spells, went in 1-0 down. The boos at the interval were laced with disbelief as much as anger.

De Zerbi’s changes backfire

De Zerbi reacted at the break, sending on Mohammed Kudus for Mateus Fernandes in a bid to add thrust and creativity. Instead, Spurs lost their grip on midfield.

Villa grew into the game. Jackson, increasingly dangerous on the shoulder of the last defender, squandered two chances, one after a brave block by Kinsky, as the visitors sensed vulnerability.

On the hour, Spurs thought they had finally ended their Premier League goal drought. Tonali slipped Robertson in down the left, the full-back drilled across goal and Kudus arrived to prod in. The stadium erupted – until VAR stepped in and ruled the goal out for offside.

Any sense of injustice barely had time to settle.

James Maddison was introduced moments later to bring calm and control. Seconds after his arrival, Villa ripped through again.

A long ball wasn’t properly dealt with by Van Hecke. Jackson seized on the hesitation, rolled Van de Ven with a sharp turn and buried a precise finish into the bottom corner. From chasing an equaliser, Spurs suddenly trailed 2-0 and looked ragged.

Buendia brilliance silences Spurs

The pressure around De Zerbi has been building. Buendia twisted the knife.

With 11 minutes left, the Argentine picked up the ball 25 yards from goal and let fly with a stunning strike that screamed past Kinsky and into the net. A wondergoal, and a dagger to Tottenham’s fragile confidence.

The away end erupted into chants of “you’re getting sacked in the morning.” For the first time, they didn’t sound entirely fanciful.

Late fightback, louder boos

Spurs did at least find the net in the league at last. With three minutes of normal time remaining, Kudus crossed low and Conor Gallagher reacted quickest, poking in from close range to end a barren run in front of goal.

In added time, Van Hecke rose to meet a Robertson free-kick and headed in to make it 3-2. On paper, a tight scoreline. In reality, the damage had long been done.

The final whistle brought another wave of boos. Tottenham have now won just three of their last 25 Premier League home games. After a summer of lavish investment, they will enter the international break in the relegation zone.

The spending has been extravagant. The patience is not.