Key Takeaways
- Tottenham Hotspur climbed out of the relegation zone after beating Aston Villa 2-1 away from home.
- The club secured consecutive league wins for the first time since August, moving to 17th place.
- Manager Roberto De Zerbi insists players must not forget their precarious position before recent victories.
Tottenham Hotspur climbed out of the Premier League relegation zone following a 2-1 victory away at Aston Villa. The north London side secured consecutive league victories for the first time since August. They now sit in 17th position, one point above the drop zone.
Only weeks ago, the situation looked dire for the club. Before their trip to Wolverhampton on April 25, the club sat in 18th place, two points adrift of safety. They had suffered defeat against Sunderland and managed only a draw with Brighton in De Zerbi’s first two matches in charge.
Following victories against the league’s bottom club and then Champions League contenders Villa, they overtook West Ham United to occupy 17th position with three fixtures remaining.
Speaking to TNT Sports after the final whistle, De Zerbi praised his team’s display. “We competed against Aston Villa, who possess a strong squad, excellent players, and a talented manager,” he said. “My team performed very well for 60 minutes, both with the ball and without it.”
He added: “We could have scored more goals, especially in the first half. I am pleased with this performance. I know how much these players have suffered this season. For that reason, I feel very proud. The only negative aspect was the goal we conceded.”
The Italian manager stressed that the survival battle continues. “The season is not finished. We must play three more difficult matches. We start on Monday night against Leeds. They are playing very well and deserve their position in the table.”
De Zerbi demanded his players keep their recent struggles in mind. “We cannot forget the situation before the Wolverhampton match. Before that, we were in a very sad position. These memories must stay in our heads every day, especially this week after this win.”
When asked what pleased him most, he highlighted tactical aspects. “The high pressure, certainly, because this reflects mentality,” he explained. “Also our possession. We played with great calm. When we needed to attack space or shoot, we did. When we needed to keep the ball, we did that too.”
He reserved special praise for midfielder Conor Gallagher. “When Conor Gallagher plays well, we play with 12 men,” De Zerbi stated. “He is an amazing player.” He also commended Randal Kolo Muani, Mathys Tel, Joao Palhinha, Rodrigo Bentancur, and his centre-backs for their fantastic performances.
Gallagher also spoke to TNT Sports. He described the display as fantastic and exactly what the team required. “Everything we worked on during the week, we showed tonight,” he said. “It has been a perfect night, but hopefully it is only the start. We want to carry this form into the last few games.”
Regarding the manager, Gallagher added: “I cannot speak highly enough of him. He has been excellent. Every player in the squad trusts him. He makes you feel good and confident. He is bringing the best out of players.”