De Zerbi's Tottenham escape relegation zone with statement win at Aston Villa

Key facts

• Tottenham won 2-1 at Aston Villa on May 4, 2026, moving out of the relegation zone.
• Conor Gallagher opened the scoring in the 12th minute with a strike from outside the box.
• Richarlison doubled the lead in the 25th minute with a header from inside the six-yard box.
• Emiliano Buendía scored a consolation goal for Villa in the 96th minute.
• Tottenham have won successive Premier League games for the first time since August.
• De Zerbi took charge of his fourth game; Spurs have been coached by three managers this season.
• West Ham's defeat at Brentford on Saturday allowed Spurs to trade places out of the bottom three.

Spurs' revival under De Zerbi gathers pace

Tottenham Hotspur climbed out of the Premier League relegation zone for the first time in months with a commanding 2-1 victory over Aston Villa at Villa Park on Sunday. The win, secured by goals from Conor Gallagher and Richarlison, marked back-to-back league victories for the first time since August and lifted Spurs above West Ham, who lost at Brentford the previous day. Roberto De Zerbi, appointed just four games ago, has instilled a clarity and confidence that had been absent under his predecessors Thomas Frank and Igor Tudor. The Italian's tactical adjustments, particularly an aggressive pressing scheme that nullified Villa's build-up play, proved decisive against a side chasing Champions League qualification. “I have one face,” De Zerbi said. “If I say Kolo Muani, Gallagher, Palhinha and all our players are great level, big level, it’s because I feel. I don’t want to sell something if I don’t believe in my words.”

Gallagher and Richarlison punish Villa's lethargy

Gallagher opened the scoring in the 12th minute with a superb low strike into the bottom corner from outside the box, after a Kevin Danso long throw was only half-cleared. The goal was particularly poignant for Villa manager Unai Emery, who had admired the midfielder during the January transfer window. Richarlison doubled the lead in the 25th minute, leaping to head past Emiliano Martínez from inside the six-yard box. The Brazilian, promoted to the starting lineup due to injuries to Dominic Solanke and Xavi Simons, was key to De Zerbi's pressing plan, positioning himself to block passes into Villa's right centre midfielder Lamare Bogarde and discouraging Martínez from playing down the right. Tottenham dominated all departments, outworking and outmuscling a Villa side that appeared to go through the motions. The visitors had more away wins in the league this year than Villa, a statistic that underscored the gap in intensity.

De Zerbi's tactical blueprint stifles Emery's side

De Zerbi, usually celebrated for his teams' ability to build from the back, instead focused on defensive organization. He instructed Spurs to press aggressively while blocking the middle of the pitch, disrupting Villa's preferred short, central build-up. Richarlison's role was central to this strategy, effectively cutting off passing lanes and forcing Villa into errors. Unai Emery made seven changes to his lineup, with an eye on Thursday's Europa League semi-final second leg against Nottingham Forest. The rotation backfired spectacularly, leaving Villa disjointed and lacking rhythm. John McGinn, the captain, was sorely missed due to injury. “Villa’s display was one of, if not, the worst since Unai Emery took charge three and a half years ago,” noted observers. Jadon Sancho being flagged offside from a short-corner routine early in the second half epitomized their alarmingly flat performance.

Injury-hit Spurs find strength in depth

Tottenham entered the match with the Premier League's longest injury list, yet De Zerbi's reshuffled lineup delivered. Rodrigo Bentancur, who beat the turf after an awkward landing under pressure from Bogarde, was running on empty by the time he departed midway through the second half. João Palhinha, Mathys Tel, and Destiny Udogie all started, with Palhinha cannoning a shot against the post as Spurs sought a third goal. Randal Kolo Muani, whom De Zerbi noted Paris Saint-Germain paid £76.4 million for a few years ago, was busy down the right and departed high-fiving away supporters. Tel was lively, and Richarlison's goal capped a performance that justified De Zerbi's faith in his front three. “If I say Kolo Muani, Gallagher, Palhinha and all our players are great level, big level, it’s because I feel,” De Zerbi said. His messaging has been smart, breathing confidence into a squad that had been battered by inconsistency.

Villa's European ambitions dented by lackluster display

Aston Villa's hopes of securing Champions League football took a hit with this anaemic performance. Tammy Abraham managed just eight first-half touches and was replaced by Ollie Watkins on the hour after another blunt outing. All five of Villa's efforts at goal came in the second half, with Buendía's 96th-minute header the only one on target. Antonin Kinsky did not have a save to make until that late consolation. Emery will demand a reaction ahead of Thursday's Europa League semi-final second leg against Nottingham Forest, who watched this match with interest. Forest manager Vítor Pereira must have been encouraged by Villa's lukewarm production, though the biggest concern for Forest is that Villa surely cannot repeat such a poor display. “Nothing typified an alarming display more than Jadon Sancho being flagged offside after receiving the ball back at a short-corner routine a couple of minutes into the second half,” one analyst remarked.

Spurs face crucial London run-in

De Zerbi is adamant Spurs can win all their remaining matches, a belief that now seems less fanciful. Tottenham's next fixtures are at home against Leeds and Everton, with a trip to Chelsea sandwiched between. Crucially, Spurs do not leave London for the rest of the season, while relegation rivals West Ham travel to Newcastle. “Spurs outworked, outmuscled and outfought an anaemic Villa side,” one report summarized. “Spurs hoovered up second balls and seized on Villa’s half heartedness. De Zerbi outwitted Emery.” The victory has injected renewed optimism into a fanbase that has endured a turbulent season. With renewed confidence and tactical clarity, Spurs and their supporters will be quietly optimistic that they can avoid the drop.

The bottom line

• Roberto De Zerbi has transformed Tottenham in just four games, securing back-to-back wins for the first time since August and lifting the club out of the relegation zone.
• Conor Gallagher and Richarlison scored the goals, with Richarlison's tactical role in De Zerbi's pressing scheme proving pivotal.
• Aston Villa's seven changes backfired, producing one of their worst performances under Unai Emery and raising concerns ahead of their Europa League semi-final second leg.
• Tottenham's injury list remains the longest in the division, but De Zerbi's reshuffled lineup delivered a complete performance.
• Spurs' remaining fixtures are all in London, giving them a potential advantage over relegation rivals West Ham, who must travel to Newcastle.
• De Zerbi's charisma and tactical acumen have brought gravitas and clarity to a squad that had been coached by three different managers this season.