Tottenham 2-3 Aston Villa: Spurs drop into relegation zone as winless run continues

Both clubs had made slow starts to the new campaign after summer rebuilds and while Spurs had failed to score in four league fixtures, there had been green shoots in 0-0 draws with Nottingham Forest and Everton.

However, Tottenham’s latest strong opening was again followed by a meek collapse after Johan Manzambi broke the deadlock in first-half added-time when he tapped in Boubacar Kamara’s cross.

It occurred with Spurs captain Micky van de Ven off the pitch receiving treatment, but boss De Zerbi watched the hosts produce a disjoined second-half performance and conceded again in the 67th minute through Nicolas Jackson.

A superb long-range strike by Emi Buendia with 11 minutes left made the points safe for Unai Emery’s Villa before Conor Gallagher ended Tottenham’s league goal drought with a close-range finish after 87 minutes.

Wonderstrike: Emi Buendia

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Jan Paul van Hecke headed a second late on but this latest defeat was greeted with boos, with patience starting to wear thin after a summer of lavish spending.

After a midweek Carabao Cup loss to Liverpool, De Zerbi watched as Tottenham immediately tested Villa’s new goalkeeper Zion Suzuki.

Good play by Sandro Tonali down the left provided an opportunity for Savio, but his first-time effort was blocked by Suzuki before a powerful follow-up was tipped over.

Spurs’ momentum was momentarily halted by Pedro Porro being forced off with an ankle injury, but replacement Archie Gray almost scored within seconds of his introduction.

A lovely pass by Savio released Gray and his low effort hit the inside of Suzuki’s legs.

Savio produced an excellent volley from the subsequent set-piece but Suzuki was equal to it with a diving save.

After Villa weathered the early storm, Antonin Kinsky had to be alert to thwart Buendia’s powerful strike before Jackson dragged wide after a neat turn away from Van Hecke.

Familiar foe: Nicolas Jackson

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When Tonali had a long-range effort deflected wide and penalty appeals for Dominic Solanke’s header on Manzambi were waved away, the first half looked set to end goalless.

However, Villa hit Tottenham with a sucker punch – with captain Van de Ven off the pitch after he took a whack to the face from Tyrone Mings – as Manzambi fired in from Kamara’s cross after Andy Robertson tried to prevent a corner but only kept the ball in for John McGinn.

De Zerbi sent on Mohammed Kudus for Mateus Fernandes at half-time, but it contributed towards Spurs losing the midfield battle.

After Jackson wasted two chances for Villa, one after a brave block by Kinsky, Spurs’ goal drought appeared over on the hour mark when Tonali played in Robertson and Kudus poked in his cross, but VAR ruled it was offside.

James Maddison was introduced to offer Tottenham more control and yet seconds later Villa grabbed a second.

Van Hecke failed to initially deal with the long ball before Jackson smartly turned Van de Ven and impressively found the bottom corner.

A wonderful effort by Buendia from 25 yards made the victory safe for Villa and sparked ‘you’re getting sacked in the morning’ chants by the away faithful.

Even though Gallagher poked in from a Kudus cross with three minutes left and Van Hecke headed a second in added time from Robertson’s free-kick, it provided no consolation for Spurs.

Tottenham have now won only three of their last 25 home matches in the Premier League and will be in the relegation zone during the upcoming international break.