Tottenham Hotspur’s 2–1 victory at Villa Park on Sunday evening did not come without a setback, as Richarlison was forced off injured, adding to Roberto De Zerbi’s growing list of concerns in what has already been a challenging campaign for the north London side.
The Brazilian forward had been among Spurs’ most dangerous players in the opening half, causing problems for Aston Villa’s defence and combining effectively with Randal Kolo Muani in attack.
He scored what proved to be the winning goal—a close-range finish that doubled Spurs’ advantage and quieted the home supporters—before being substituted for Pape Matar Sarr after the break, clearly in discomfort as he made his way off the pitch.
This development will be a major concern for De Zerbi, who is already dealing with multiple injuries as the season nears its conclusion. Xavi Simons has been ruled out for the remainder of the campaign with an ACL injury sustained against Wolves, while Dominic Solanke is also facing a battle to return before the end of the season after picking up a grade-two hamstring issue in the same game.
With those absences, Richarlison had stepped up, starting and scoring against Villa, which makes his potential injury even more significant. Spurs currently sit 17th with 37 points, just one point above West Ham United in the relegation zone, with three crucial matches left to play.
They face Leeds United, Chelsea, and Everton in their remaining fixtures, and if Richarlison is sidelined, it could seriously affect their chances of staying up—especially given De Zerbi’s limited attacking options.
