Has tide turned for troubled Spurs under De Zerbi?

• Published1 hour ago

Roberto de Zerbi had called on Tottenham Hotspur to silence the voices inside the club as this traumatic, turbulent season reached the point of no return.

The new head coach referred to the negativity surrounding Spurs as he attempted to mount a late salvage operation and avoid the prospect of the most embarrassing relegation in Premier League history.

And how his players responded to the Italian's emotional call to arms with their finest display of the campaign, securing a hugely deserved 2-1 victory at Aston Villa that leapfrogged them over West Ham and out of the relegation zone.

This was so emphatic, so transformed from what had been served up before De Zerbi's appointment on 31 March, that it was fair to ask pertinent questions.

Not just where this version of Spurs has been all season, but more significantly - was this the moment the tide turned for them as they bid to dodge the drop into the Championship?

West Ham's 3-0 defeat at Brentford on Saturday had left the door ajar, adding weight to De Zerbi's rallying cry, but those who have observed Spurs on a regular basis this season could not have expected them to burst through it so forcefully.

There was something in the air before kick-off, from the moment Unai Emery's Aston Villa line-up was revealed - showing seven changes from the side that lost at Nottingham Forest in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final - to the thunderous reception the players received from their travelling fans as they came out to warm up.

Emery's teamsheet included defensive trio Ezri Konsa, Pau Torres and Lucas Digne, as well as top scorer Ollie Watkins, dropped to the bench.

It was effectively a letter of encouragement to Spurs, and a sign the Spaniard and Villa's priority was firmly on overturning that 1-0 first-leg deficit against Forest in Thursday's home return.

Their eye was not on the ball here - and how Villa's fans let them know it with a furious reaction at half-time and at the final whistle. Not that many were left at the end.

Emery's selection, considering his fifth-placed side were looking to confirm a place in next season's Champions League, would certainly have been greeted with sinking hearts in east London, where West Ham would have been looking to Villa for a favour in the battle for survival.

Following on from last weekend's vital win at Wolves, De Zerbi had said: "It's like we're all crying and relegated. No, not yet. We have to die on the pitch.

"We have to play, we have to fight. It's not the best moment for us, a tough moment, but the losers cry, they think negative and I don't want people close to me crying or to think a different way than me."

• Tottenham out of relegation zone with win at Aston Villa

Every word hit the bullseye as self-belief, unity, fierce competitiveness, quality, fight and sheer bloody-mindedness - words that have been like a foreign language at Spurs in this torrid campaign - surged through De Zerbi's side.

From the moment Villa keeper Emi Martinez was hurried into a clearance that created a chance for Richarlison in the opening seconds, the visitors were all over their opponents in every action.

The midfield partnership of Joao Palhinha and Rodrigo Bentancur dominated with quality and physical power, creating and defending in equal measure.

They were too formidable for Villa and the fact the pair have only been able to start 12 games together in the league this season has not helped Spurs in their struggle.

And while the team have so often looked lost, divided and broken during the managerial tenures of Thomas Frank and interim Igor Tudor, this was a team locked tight.

Bentancur celebrated winning a first-half foul after some superb defence in his own penalty area with a clenched fist before receiving a hug from Kevin Danso.

When Palhinha did something similar in the second half, he received a kiss from striker Randal Kolo Muani.

That was a moment to delight De Zerbi as he said: "I love Palhinha like this. I don't ask players to do it, but when I see this passion I become crazy."

The body language reflected a newfound self-assurance. If Spurs had voices inside their heads, they were now positive.

Not that the demanding De Zerbi was totally satisfied as he told BBC Sport's Match of the Day: "Now I don't want to hear the positive voice.

"We have to stay focused for the next game. I think my biggest job is to help the players show their qualities. Their level is not to fight for relegation, but we have to accept and be stronger than the people who speak too much.

"There was the right spirit and behaviour on the pitch. I'm pleased with the performances.

"I knew my players were very good before this game. We must not forget the situation before Wolverhampton. The season is not finished yet. We cannot be happy just for these two wins. We have to keep working with the same mentality."

To put this season into context, this was the first time Spurs have won consecutive league matches since their opening two games against Burnley and Manchester City.

Conor Gallagher gave them the perfect start with his first Spurs goal since his January move from Atletico Madrid, having chosen the Londoners over Villa.

The England midfielder already has a huge fan in his new head coach, who added: "When Gallagher plays like this it is like having 12 players.

"He is a striker, a midfielder, a full-back. Look anywhere on the pitch and you can find him. Great player, great quality, great passion."

Gallagher and Brazil striker Richarlison, who headed Spurs' second for his 11th goal this term, epitomised what De Zerbi demands, with Emi Buendia's injury-time Villa reply far too late for any Spurs nerves to jangle.

In what has been a season of unrelenting misery, the players and supporters who celebrated with sheer joy after the final whistle at Villa Park may just be starting to feel salvation is in sight.

Image source, Getty Images

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