De Zerbi Delays Aston Villa Team Talk After Tottenham Defeat

Roberto De Zerbi has chosen to delay his post-match talk with the players after the defeat at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, saying he did not want emotion to dictate his response to a damaging collapse.

De Zerbi holds back after defeat

The Italian said there was no split between him and the squad. Instead, he felt an immediate dressing-room address could have produced the wrong message after a frustrating afternoon.

“I thought it was better not to speak today because I did not want to say the wrong things,” De Zerbi said. “There is no issue between me and the players.”

His anger centred on the way his team lost control once the game moved away from their first-half possession and attacking pressure.

Long-ball failure draws criticism

De Zerbi highlighted two decisive defensive moments: Tottenham conceded while Micky van de Ven was off the pitch with a facial injury, before Aston Villa punished them from a direct ball launched from a goal kick.

• Van de Ven’s facial injury left Spurs temporarily reduced to 10 men when a goal was conceded.
• Aston Villa later found success from a long, direct pass after a goal kick.
• De Zerbi said his staff had repeatedly warned the players about Villa’s more direct approach.
• He stated that Villa have played 86 per cent more long balls this season than they did last term.

The manager accepted his own responsibility but insisted senior players must take charge when a match becomes a defensive battle rather than a possession contest.

De Zerbi said no side can spend every minute camped in the final third, particularly against a strong opponent such as Villa. When his team need to stay compact and defend under pressure, he believes the leaders in the XI have to set the standard.

Solanke told to improve condition

Dominic Solanke also came under scrutiny after another difficult start to the campaign. De Zerbi backed the striker but admitted the forward is short of the physical level and confidence expected from him.

“We need more from him, certainly, but he is my player and I will stand by him,” De Zerbi said. “His condition is not where it needs to be, and perhaps his confidence is not either. He is a far better player than he has shown.”

De Zerbi believes Solanke can recover his level, but the coming period will be important after an underwhelming opening month.

International break becomes training window

The three-week international break now gives De Zerbi a chance to work intensively with those not selected by their countries, while the internationals maintain fitness through competitive matches.

He singled out Conor Gallagher, Solanke, Tosin Adarabioyo, Marcos Senesi and Savio as players who will require extra work at the club.

What happens next: De Zerbi will use the break to address the physical standards he felt were lacking against Aston Villa, before his international players return for the next domestic fixture.