Tottenham are ‘fragile’ admits under-pressure boss De Zerbi after defeat to Aston Villa

Roberto De Zerbi admitted them Tottenham The side looked “fragile” after slumping to another defeat this afternoon.

Spurs were beaten 3-2 by Aston Villa to maintain their winless streak and, although he got his first La Liga goal of the season, it was little consolation for De Zerbi, who is beginning to come under more pressure after a summer of heavy spending.

The home side started brightly but were frustrated by the brilliance of Villa goalkeeper Zion Suzuki. And there was a sense of inevitability that they would be caught at the other end.

And that’s exactly what happened when Johan Manzambi came on just before the break.

Spurs thought they had leveled in the second half but Mohammed Kudus’ effort was ruled out for offside against Andy Robertson.

It was cruel but Villa showed no mercy with Nicolas Jackson and Emi Buendia scoring to increase the visitors’ lead.

Conor Gallagher scored Tottenham’s first league goal of the season with four minutes remaining, and there was still time for Jan Paul van Hecke to add a second, but it was little consolation.

We need to stay more focused: Tottenham boss De Zerbi

“I think we could have scored in the first half many, many times,” De Zerbi told TNT Sports. “We scored the goal with 10 players (with Van de Ven off the pitch due to injury) but we had to stay more focused to defend this situation in extra time of the first half.

“In the second half we conceded a goal directly from the goal kick. We scored before but it’s offside. The third goal, a great goal by Buendia. But I have to say we played well in the first half, we didn’t score but (we were) too fragile.”

Spurs are struggling to score at one end and conceding too many goals at the other, a recipe for disappointment.

De Zerbi added: “Stronger, when we have 10 players, (for) one minute, we have to stay like a family in the goal area to defend. It’s not as easy, like the shot on goal in the second half when we score the second goal. It’s not enough to score a goal. To score a goal we have to create 20 chances and the others, only half (opportunity), because it’s not easy to score.

The final whistle was met with silent boos from the home fans who had stayed and De Zerbi told them to direct their frustration at him.

“If we didn’t score it’s my responsibility,” he said. “I take responsibility. We will work harder, but football is like life. You are strong or you lose.”

Villa skipper McGinn is delighted with the first win

Spurs’ desperation was matched in equal measure by Villa’s relief. Unai Emery’s men were also without a win in the league this season and this win will be a huge boost heading into the international break.

said Captain John McGinn TNT Sports: “Going into the international break, you don’t want to be in the bottom three.

“I thought we were very poor in the first half, we didn’t show anything going forward, but in the second half we stood tall and deserved the win.”

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