Spurs' winless start continues as De Zerbi admits he didn't speak to players after defeat

Tottenham remain without a win after five Premier League games and are back in the relegation zone following a 3-2 home defeat to Aston Villa. Roberto De Zerbi called the defending for Villa's second goal "unacceptable" and revealed he did not speak to his players after the match.

  • Competition: Premier League
  • Result: Tottenham 2-3 Aston Villa
  • Key fact: Spurs have five games without a win and sit in the relegation zone
  • Quote: De Zerbi labelled the defending for Villa's second goal "unacceptable"
  • Also: Arsenal lost 3-0 at Brighton, their heaviest away defeat since December 2023

What was said

"unacceptable"

— Roberto De Zerbi, on the defending for Aston Villa's second goal

De Zerbi's anger was evident in his post-match press conference, and his admission that he did not speak to his players afterwards speaks volumes about his frustration. The Italian knows the same mistakes are being repeated: sloppy passes, poor decisions and defensive lapses are handing gifts to opponents.

The international break now arrives at the worst possible time for Spurs. Some players will not see De Zerbi again for more than two weeks, denying him valuable training ground time to address the issues.

The numbers

  • Five – Premier League games without a win for Tottenham
  • Three – Goals conceded by Arsenal at Brighton, the first time they have shipped three in an away league game since December 2023
  • Three – Big chances missed by Brighton to add to their tally
  • Seven – Goal contributions for Pascal Gross in five games
  • Two – Assists for Harvey Barnes in seven minutes, a Newcastle record for fastest multiple assists in a Premier League game
  • Five – Goal contributions for Barnes in seven games under Matthias Jaissle
  • One – Shot on target for Chelsea's front three of Welbeck, Palmer and Rogers at Brentford
  • Three – Average shots on target for Chelsea in their previous four league games
  • Six – Goals for Danny Welbeck in nine previous matches against Brentford before Friday

Why De Zerbi must fix Spurs' self-destruction

Tottenham's problems are not a lack of talent. As the source notes, there is too much quality in the squad for this to be a lost season. But being bad in both boxes is a footballing nightmare. Spurs are wasteful in front of goal and then seemingly determined to self-destruct at the other end.

The defeat to Aston Villa followed a familiar pattern: missed chances, sloppy passes and defensive lapses. De Zerbi's fury at the second goal was justified. Until those habits are eradicated, Spurs will continue to shoot themselves in the foot. Top teams do not behave like this, and if De Zerbi does not get it out of them quickly, this project risks becoming another season of humiliation.

Arsenal must ensure Brighton blip doesn't become wobble

Arsenal lost 3-0 at Brighton, but it could have been six. Brighton missed three big chances to add to their hefty tally. It was an uncharacteristic display from Mikel Arteta's team, particularly on the road, where Arsenal have accumulated more away points than any other team in the last five years.

The last time Arsenal conceded three goals in a Premier League away game was in December 2023, and they even won that game at Luton 4-3. The last time they lost by a three-goal margin was May 2023, coincidentally against Brighton. Arteta knew his side were in trouble from the first throw-in, and the way they were second-best from that moment to the 95th minute suggests this was a bad day at the office rather than a wider problem.

Arteta called for perspective after the game: Arsenal have won every other match this season after staggering so many late arrivals from the World Cup and suffering a fair few injuries in defence. But the last time they lost in this manner was the 2026 Carabao Cup final, after which the tactical template of 'how to beat Arsenal' spilled into an FA Cup exit, a loss to Bournemouth and then a defeat at Manchester City which temporarily turned the title race tide. The lengthy international break will help, but Arsenal need to make sure this Brighton blip doesn't become a wobble.

Brighton are getting better and better

Brighton have started the season in electric fashion. They are comfortably the Premier League's top scorers, adding goals to the third-best defence from last season. Under Fabian Hurzeler, they have now won a game against the reigning champions three seasons in a row. But when they beat Manchester City and Liverpool in previous years, those clubs were already in freefall. Stopping Arsenal in full flow makes this Brighton win the best of the three.

What makes Brighton unique is how they respond to challenges. Lose Carlos Baleba? Chema Andres steps up. Danny Welbeck leaves and Georginio Rutter is out? Babis Kostoulas scores to win games against Manchester United and Arsenal. Jack Hinshelwood is injured? Pascal Gross delivers seven goal contributions in five games. "He's like a fine wine," said Hurzeler about the German after the game. The same goes for his team. They just keep getting better.

Barnes brilliance under Jaissle sends message to Tuchel

Newcastle's valiant defending saw them over the line in a narrow 2-1 victory against Hull, but it was their blistering first-half attack that proved the difference, especially Harvey Barnes. Barnes provided two assists in just seven minutes, the earliest into a Premier League game a Newcastle player has set up multiple goals, taking the record from Fabian Schar, who managed the feat in nine minutes during the 6-1 demolition of Tottenham in 2023.

The difference here was that Barnes was facing a resolute defence that had only conceded in one of their previous four Premier League games. His deft inside through ball for Willock to lash home came just four minutes before slipping in a galloping Hall on the outside of the opponents' box. Barnes continued to provide a creative spark throughout the 90 minutes, whipping in teasing crosses even when his side was up against it.

Barnes now has five goal contributions in seven games across all competitions for new boss Matthias Jaissle, but was still overlooked for Thomas Tuchel's England squad, missing out to the likes of Eberechi Eze, who has not started a Premier League game for Arsenal so far this campaign. If Barnes keeps producing game-defining performances like this, it will not be long before he earns the trust of the other German head coach he is eager to impress.

Is Joao Pedro Chelsea's most important player?

For the first time this season, Chelsea were without their infamous front three of 'JP Morgan' due to Joao Pedro's injury. Danny Welbeck started in the Brazilian's place, and it was set up for the England international to do well. Brentford were Welbeck's favourite opponents in his career, with six goals in his nine previous matches against the Bees before Friday night.

But Chelsea weren't the same in attack. The new-formed attack of Welbeck, Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers managed just one shot on target between them at the Gtech. They averaged three shots on target in each of their previous four league games. Pedro is not just a goalscorer; he drops off the frontline to link up with others and has as many assists as goals this season. Welbeck is less of a creator and more of a clinical scorer. Xabi Alonso says Pedro's absence cannot be used as an excuse, but the Chelsea manager is surely hoping in private that he is back quickly after the international break.

What a buy! Brentford have done it again with Schuster

Brentford's knack for unearthing talent continues with the signing of Schuster. While details are limited in this report, the club's track record speaks for itself. Further information on the deal is expected to emerge.

Talking points

  • De Zerbi not speaking to his players after the defeat suggests a breakdown in communication that could prove costly.
  • Arsenal's heavy loss at Brighton may be a blip, but the international break could either heal or exacerbate their issues.
  • Harvey Barnes' omission from England's squad looks increasingly baffling given his creative output for Newcastle.
  • Chelsea's reliance on Joao Pedro is clear; without him, their attack lacks a creative focal point.

What happens next

Tottenham will look to end their winless run after the international break, with De Zerbi desperate to get his players back on the training pitch. Arsenal must regroup and ensure their title challenge does not suffer a hangover from the Brighton defeat. Chelsea await news on Joao Pedro's fitness ahead of a crucial run of fixtures.

Frequently asked questions

How many games have Tottenham gone without a win?

Five Premier League games, and they are back in the relegation zone.

What did De Zerbi say about Aston Villa's second goal?

He called the defending "unacceptable" and said he didn't speak to his players after the defeat.

When did Arsenal last concede three goals in an away Premier League game?

December 2023, when they won 4-3 at Luton.

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