Tottenham are set to travel to Villa Park without a number of key players, as Xavi Simons and Dominic Solanke have joined an already lengthy injury list.
Even with limited attacking options, Roberto De Zerbi is optimistic that his team still has the quality needed to earn points and move away from the relegation zone.
There is some positive news ahead of Sunday’s clash with Aston Villa, however.
Sarr back in training
De Zerbi had recently relied on a midfield trio of Rodrigo Bentancur, Conor Gallagher, and Yves Bissouma in matches against Brighton and Wolves.
Pape Matar Sarr missed those games due to injury, though he briefly featured off the bench in De Zerbi’s first match in charge. Now, the midfielder has returned to full training as of Friday, according to the Spurs manager. While he is available, De Zerbi has yet to decide if he will be in the starting lineup against Villa.
Focus on survival
Since taking over, De Zerbi has improved Tottenham’s performances, though his signature attacking style has only appeared in moments so far.
The Italian coach admitted that injuries and the pressure of avoiding relegation have limited how much tactical detail he can introduce right now. He explained that giving players too many instructions early on can slow their play, so he is focusing on keeping things simple with a clear and structured plan.
Reflecting on the first half against Wolves, De Zerbi felt his team showed good organization and positioning, even if they lacked speed and creativity in attack. He noted that decision-making still needs improvement, particularly in varying their approach—sometimes using wide areas, other times keeping play central.
Maintaining possession through central areas, he said, offers more attacking flexibility, allowing switches in play and better one-on-one opportunities for wingers. Still, he emphasized that with limited time, progress will have to come gradually.
