Roberto De Zerbi expressed genuine pride after watching his Tottenham side secure a win over Aston Villa, yet he reminded everyone that the club must not lose sight of the precarious position it occupied only weeks earlier. The Italian manager’s comments came in the immediate aftermath of a hard‑fought 2‑1 triumph at Villa Park, a result that lifted Spurs out of the relegation zone and provided a much‑needed morale boost as the season draws to a close. Just a month prior, Tottenham’s fortunes looked bleak.
De Zerbi’s first match in charge, on 12 April, ended in a disappointing defeat to Sunderland, a game that left the team reeling and the fans uneasy. Six days later, a 2‑2 draw against his former club Brighton offered only a brief respite, and by the time the squad traveled to Wolverhampton on 25 April, the North London side sat 18th in the Premier League table, a mere two points shy of safety.
The spectre of relegation loomed large, and the atmosphere around the club was understandably tense. The victory over Villa, who sit at the bottom of the league but have been chasing a place in the Champions League earlier in the season, marked a turning point. Not only did Spurs claim back‑to‑back league wins for the first time since the opening two fixtures, but they also overtook West Ham to climb into 17th place with three games remaining. This modest climb could prove decisive in the final stretch of the campaign.
Speaking to TNT Sports after the final whistle, De Zerbi praised his side’s performance while acknowledging the quality of the opposition. “Aston Villa is a very good team, with a lot of very good players and a great manager,” he said. “We played very well for 60 minutes, both with and without the ball.” He added that the team could have been more clinical in the first half, but he was pleased with the overall effort, noting the players’ suffering throughout the season.
“I’m very proud of them. The only negative moment was the goal we conceded,” he remarked.
De Zerbi was quick to stress that the season was not yet over. With three matches left – all against strong opponents – the manager warned that the work was far from finished.
“We have to play another three games, very tough games, starting Monday night with Leeds,” he explained. He praised Leeds for their form, saying they deserve their current league position and will provide a stern test for Tottenham. Perhaps the most striking part of De Zerbi’s post‑match interview was his reminder of the club’s recent hardships. “We can’t forget what the situation was before Wolverhampton – and before that it was a very sad situation,” he said.
“These memories have to stay in our heads every day, especially this week after this win.” By keeping the memory of those difficult weeks fresh, De Zerbi hopes to maintain the players’ hunger and focus. When asked what aspect of the game pleased him most, the manager highlighted the high‑pressure environment and the team’s composure. “High pressure is a mentality,” he noted, emphasizing how the squad handled the intensity of the match.
He also praised the possession play, describing it as “very, very good, with calm.” He explained that when the team needed to attack space or take a shot, they did so decisively, and when they needed to retain the ball, they executed that discipline as well. De Zerbi’s philosophy centers on maximizing the abilities of his players. “I love playing football.
Especially if you have these players in the squad, my job is to help them, to put them in the right condition to play, to show what they are capable of doing,” he said. This player‑focused approach was evident in his praise for the man of the match, Conor Gallagher. “When Conor Gallagher played well, we played with 12 players,” De Zerbi declared, calling Gallagher an “amazing player.” He also singled out the contributions of Randal Kolo Muani and Mathys Tel, who he said “played a fantastic game,” as well as Joao Palhinha and Rodrigo Bentancur, describing the two centre‑backs as “incredible” both with and without the ball.
Such specific commendations highlight De Zerbi’s attention to detail and his desire to build confidence across the entire squad. Gallagher, for his part, echoed his manager’s optimism. Speaking to TNT Sports, he described the win as “fantastic” and exactly what the team needed.
He praised the collective effort of the week leading up to the match and expressed hope that this performance would be the start of a sustained run. “It’s massive for us and hopefully our confidence can start growing and we can keep playing games like that,” he said.
Gallagher also lauded De Zerbi’s impact on the dressing‑room. “I can’t speak highly enough of him.
He’s been so good. Every player in the squad has taken to him, everyone trusts him, he makes you feel good, confident.
He’s bringing the best out of players and it’s only the start,” he added. The mutual respect between manager and players appears to be a key factor in the recent turnaround.
Looking ahead, Tottenham’s remaining fixtures include a home clash with Leeds, an away game at Chelsea, and a final home match against Everton. Each of these opponents presents its own challenges, and the Spurs will need to maintain the intensity and focus that De Zerbi has cultivated.
The manager’s warning not to forget the club’s recent difficulties serves as a reminder that motivation must be sustained, especially when the margin for error becomes razor‑thin in the final weeks. In summary, De Zerbi’s post‑match remarks combined celebration with caution. While he rightly celebrated the team’s resilience and the tactical execution that led to victory over Villa, he also kept a firm eye on the reality that three games remain, each potentially decisive for survival.
By reinforcing the memory of the club’s earlier struggles, emphasizing a high‑pressure mentality, and highlighting individual performances, De Zerbi aims to steer Tottenham through the final stretch with the belief that they can secure the points needed to stay in the Premier League.