Roberto De Zerbi rejects Tottenham relegation fears ahead of Aston Villa clash
Tottenham Hotspur manager Roberto De Zerbi has issued a defiant rallying cry ahead of Sunday’s crucial trip to Aston Villa, insisting his side can still avoid Premier League relegation despite mounting injury problems.
Spurs secured their first league victory of 2026 against Wolverhampton Wanderers last weekend, but remain two points adrift of safety.
The North London club’s survival hopes suffered a significant blow this week following injuries to key attackers Dominic Solanke and Xavi Simons.
If relegation rivals West Ham United defeat Brentford on Saturday, the deficit could stretch to five points before kick-off at Villa Park.
Rejecting a negative mindset
However, the Italian head coach has categorically dismissed the growing pessimism surrounding the club.
He addressed the media’s dire predictions directly, demanding relentless resilience from his squad in the face of adversity.
“I heard, ‘It is impossible to stay up’. We are crying, everyone saying, ‘We are relegated.’ Not yet.”
The manager emphasised that dwelling on misfortune is a trait of failure.
“We have to die on the pitch and to die on the pitch we have to lose the game,” he stated.
“Before losing the game, we have to play and we have to fight.”
“But the losers cry, the losers think negative. I don’t want people close to me to be crying or think in a different way from me.”
Silencing the inner voice
The tactician believes the biggest challenge facing his players is psychological rather than purely tactical.
He urged the entire club hierarchy, from players and staff to the fanbase, to immediately silence any internal doubts.
“This voice produces negative thoughts and it says we are unlucky, we have too many injuries,” he explained.
Simons had been a standout performer in recent matches before his setback, compounding frustrations over the club’s medical record and training facilities.
Yet, the head coach branded these external excuses as “rubbish”, preferring to focus entirely on the undeniable quality remaining within his squad.
Embracing the Villa Park challenge
Sunday’s opponents currently sit among the Premier League’s elite under the formidable guidance of Unai Emery.
Despite acknowledging the severe test awaiting them in the Midlands, the Spurs boss insists a positive result is entirely plausible.
“If Tottenham win at Villa Park it is not a miracle,” he declared.
“Maybe we lose but we have the quality to win this game.”
While the absences of Solanke and the Dutch playmaker are damaging, the squad still boasts significant attacking depth.
De Zerbi pointed to high-profile alternatives such as Randal Kolo Muani, Mathys Tel and Richarlison to provide the necessary firepower.