Soccer
Roberto De Zerbi insisted he does not want “losers” near him as Tottenham look to survive in the relegation battle.
Spurs ended a 15-game winless run against Wolves last time out (1-0) and could record successive victories in the Premier League for the first time since their opening two matches of this season against Burnley (3-0) and Manchester City (2-0).
Under De Zerbi, Spurs are averaging more pressed sequences per game (12.7) and possession won in the final third per game (5.3) than they were under Thomas Frank (11.1 and 3.7) and Igor Tudor (10.8 and 3.8) in the Premier League this season.
Spurs are two points adrift of safety ahead of their trip to Aston Villa this Sunday, and De Zerbi has urged the players to have the right mindset heading into the final four games.
“I heard no, it’s impossible, we are crying, everyone, we are relegated, no? Not yet, and we have to die on the pitch,” said the Spurs boss.
“We have to play, we have to fight, we have two points less than West Ham. They have to play a difficult game like us.
“It’s not the best moment for us, a tough moment, but the losers cry, they think negative, and I don’t want people close to me crying or to think a different way than me.
“We are good enough to win the games and to stay up, and then we will see because it’s the unique way.
“The way I know is to work hard, give my best, to trust in my idea of the players, their confidence, and to be realistic. I think there are not a lot of people realistic now.”
Looking ahead pic.twitter.com/xA7APM7SxK
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) May 1, 2026
Villa followed up a 1-0 defeat to Fulham last time out in the league with a loss in their Europa League semi-final first leg against Nottingham Forest by the same scoreline.
The Villans are eight points clear of sixth-place Brighton, and with two potential avenues into the Champions League still available for Unai Emery’s side.
But the Spaniard insisted Villa will not take Spurs lightly as he expects a tough battle at Villa Park.
“Each match in the Premier League is very difficult,” said Emery.
“They have very good players, and they have a very good coach. Maybe they will need time to set the tactical things he [De Zerbi] did in Brighton, which were really fantastic.
“I think he will do it, but now they are trying to escape the bottom, and they need points more than playing in a strong structure or idea he is usually doing.
“They have experienced players, good players, and I expect a very difficult match. I expect in 90 minutes to play competing in our best way, tactically and in our structure through the players individually and collectively.”
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Aston Villa – Ollie Watkins
10 of Ollie Watkins’ 11 Premier League goals this season have come since the start of December; no player has more in that time.
He has also scored goals in three previous Premier League games against sides managed by De Zerbi, including a hat-trick in September 2023.
Tottenham – Richarlison
Richarlison is averaging 0.72 goal involvements per 90 this season (nine goals, four assists in 1,615 minutes).
It is his third-best rate in a Premier League campaign behind 2023-24 and 2024-25 (both 0.9 per 90).
MATCH PREDICTION – ASTON VILLA WIN
Villa won this exact fixture 2-0 last season, last beating Spurs in consecutive home league games in May-November 2004.
Tottenham have lost six of their last 10 Premier League games against Villa (W4), more than they had in their previous 34 against the Villans (W19 D10 L5).
None of the last 21 Premier League meetings between Villa (seven wins) and Spurs (14) have finished level.
Only Chelsea v Crystal Palace (26 between September 1997 and February 2024) has had a longer run with no draws in the competition’s history.
However, Villa have won just two of their previous seven Premier League games (D1 L4), suffering as many defeats as in their prior 24 matches (W15 D5), though they could win three in a row at home for the first time since January (run of eight).
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Aston Villa – 59.9%
Draw – 21%
Tottenham – 19.1%
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