Tottenham Hotspur continued their winless start to the season with a 3-2 defeat against Aston Villa today to pile more pressure on manager Roberto De Zerbi.
They wnt into the game desperate to get their first win and first goal of the campaign on home turf, and started with plenty of attacking intent.
Savio came closest early on, forcing Zion Suzuki into an excellent double save after finding space at the far post.
The Villa goalkeeper also denied Archie Gray with his feet before keeping out another dangerous Savio effort from distance.
Villa were a threat on the counter. Emiliano Buendia pounced on a Spurs turnover in their own area, but Antonin Kinsky was denied the Argentine forward.
Nicolas Jackson then went close for the visitors before Sandro Tonali sent a powerful effort narrowly wide at the other end.
Tottenham’s failure to make their early pressure count came back to haunt them just before half-time.
Boubacar Kamara’s poorly struck effort fell kindly for Johan Manzambi, who finished from close range to give Villa the lead.
De Zerbi responded by introducing Mohamed Kudus at the break, but the change didn’t provide the spark Spurs needed to turn things around.
Kinsky made another important one-on-one save early in the second half to deny Jackson.
Tottenham thought they had finally scored when Kudus tapped in from close range, but the goal was ruled out for offside in the build-up.
Their frustration turned into despair when Jackson doubled Villa’s lead with a superb half-volley that nestled into the bottom corner despite Kinsky’s best efforts.
Buendia then delivered the decisive blow with 11 minutes remaining, unleashing a stunning 25-yard strike into the top corner.
The goal triggered a mass exodus from the stands, with Tottenham supporters making their feelings clear.
Tottenham finally ended their scoring drought late on, with Conor Gallagher’s effort taking a deflection off Matty Cash before Jan Paul van Hecke headed in with virtually the final kick.
The late goals offered some consolation, but they could not hide another disappointing display.
With Spurs still searching for their first league win, De Zerbi now faces a crucial three-week international break to find answers, with his job in serious jeopardy.
