Tottenham Hotspur are still waiting for their first Premier League win of the season after a 3-2 home defeat to Aston Villa left manager Roberto De Zerbi under heavy pressure.
Spurs had started the league campaign both winless and scoreless, and with unrest growing, a fast start was essential. They pressed early, and on 10 minutes Savio was left unmarked at the far post, only for Villa goalkeeper Zion Suzuki to make an impressive double save.
Suzuki then kept out Archie Gray with his feet and beat away a Savio volley from the edge of the area.Spurs were nearly punished for their sloppiness.
After they lost the ball in their own box, Emiliano Buendia fired in a fierce drive that Antonin Kinsky turned behind. Nicolas Jackson sent an effort just wide moments later, and Sandro Tonali answered with a 30-yard rocket that drifted inches off target.
The home side’s fears were realised on the stroke of half-time, when Boubacar Kamara’s miscued strike was turned home from close range by Johan Manzambi. De Zerbi’s decision to bring on Mohamed Kudus at the break showed his dissatisfaction, but it did not spark the reaction he wanted.
Kinsky had to save Spurs within 10 minutes of the restart, denying Jackson one-on-one as frustration mounted in north London. On the hour, Tottenham thought they had finally broken their duck, but Kudus’s effort was ruled out because Andy Robertson was offside in the build-up.
A little over five minutes later, Villa doubled their lead against the run of play. Jackson, facing one of his favourite opponents, squeezed a shot into the bottom corner despite Kinsky getting a hand to it.
It got worse 11 minutes from the end, when Buendia’s 25-yard strike flew into the top corner. The goal was met with a mass exodus from the stands and a chorus of boos.Spurs did finally score, twice in the closing stages.
Conor Gallagher’s strike deflected in off Matty Cash, and Jan Paul van Hecke headed home with the last kick of the game. It was scant consolation and will not appease the fans, who will hope De Zerbi can fix the problems during the three-week international break.
