BBC

Roberto de Zerbi had called on Tottenham to silence the voices as this traumatic and 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 to avoid the prospect of the most embarrassing relegation in Premier League history.

And how his players responded to his emotional call to arms, with their finest display of the campaign to secure 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 and so transformed from what had been served up before De Zerbi's appointment on 31 March, that it's fair to ask pertinent questions.

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

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

"It's not the best moment for us, it's a tough moment, but the losers cry. They think negatively. I don't want people close to me crying or thinking a different way to me."

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 at Villa Park.

Not that the demanding Italian was totally satisfied though, as he told Match of the Day: "The season is not finished yet. We cannot be happy just for these two wins. We have to keep working with the same mentality."

In what has been a campaign of unrelenting misery, the players and supporters who celebrated with sheer joy at the end of Sunday's game may just be starting to feel salvation is in sight.

Match of the Day pundit Micah Richards analyses Tottenham Hotspur's "brave" press during their win against Aston Villa in the Premier League.

MATCH REPORT: Aston Villa 1-2 Tottenham Hotspur

It felt like a huge result for Tottenham on Sunday night.

Their 2-1 victory at Aston Villa moved Spurs out of the Premier League relegation zone - and marked two wins in a row for the first time since the second weekend of the season.

With three weeks remaining of the 2025-26 campaign, it looks like the battle to avoid the drop will go down to the wire.

Wolves and Burnley have already been consigned to the Championship for next season, but one more relegation place is still to be decided.

West Ham's 3-0 defeat by Brentford on Saturday opened the door for Tottenham to climb out of the bottom three - and Roberto de Zerbi's side took full advantage.

Former Man City defender Micah Richards told BBC Match of the Day: "That's a huge result for Spurs. I didn't see that coming.

"Villa were poor, but right from the start Spurs absolutely made the most of it with their desire and intensity. They were exceptional in how they set up, they were really brave.

"Every time we make a prediction, we get it wrong - but West Ham have got it all to do.

"Spurs have maybe got a bit of momentum and they have set their standard. De Zerbi deserves a lot of credit. None of his players hid and he has given them that confidence."

Former England striker Alan Shearer added: "They won every single tackle, every single second ball and they took the risk out of their game by not playing from the back in certain circumstances.

"You need every single player at it when in desperate trouble and Spurs had that. It has been a terrible weekend for West Ham."

Nottingham Forest in 16th have played one game fewer than both Spurs and West Ham, and could go six points clear of the drop zone with a win against Chelsea on Monday (15:00 BST).

Leeds are 14th in the table with 43 points and Crystal Palace are just below them on goal difference but with a game in hand, so it looks like it will be a three-way battle between Forest, West Ham and Spurs.

In each of the past nine Premier League seasons, 36 points has been enough to secure survival.

In the 20-team era, starting from the 1995-96 season, the average number of points needed for survival by finishing 17th is 35.53.

But that tally will not cut it this season, given West Ham already have 36 points, Spurs 37 and Forest 39.

In the 30 Premier League 38-game seasons, 36 points has ensured survival 60% of the time.

That rate of survival increases to 80% for 38 points, 90% for 40 points and 100% for 43 or more points.

West Ham hold the record for the team relegated with the most points in the 20-team era - in 2002-03, the Hammers picked up 42 points but still went down.

According to data experts Opta the Hammers are now strong favourites (75.1%) to be relegated this term, with Tottenham at 22.5% and Forest just 2.3%.

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."

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.

Emery interview gets a little tense

This content is not available in your location.

There was an error

Unai Emery's interview gets a little tense as he defends his rotation of the Aston Villa squad.

MATCH REPORT: Premier League - Aston Villa 1-2 Tottenham Hotspur

Available to UK users only.

Match of the Day - 2025/26 Highlights: Aston Villa v Tottenham Hotspur Highlights  BBC

Aston Villa boss Unai Emery defends the rotation of his squad after his team lose a third consecutive game with a 2-1 home defeat against Tottenham.

MATCH REPORT: Premier League - Aston Villa 1-2 Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham Hotspur boss Roberto De Zerbi says his players "cannot be happy yet" after they moved out of the relegation zone after beating Aston Villa 2-1 at Villa Park.

MATCH REPORT: Aston Villa 1-2 Tottenham Hotspur

Roberto De Zerbi had demanded all negative thoughts be dismissed as he attempted to salvage safety in this wretched, turbulent season for Spurs.

And the Italian's message looked to have been received loud and clear on and off the pitch on what might yet be viewed as the most important night of the club's season.

Even before kick-off, when the Spurs players came out to warm up, they were greeted with deafening roars from the packed away section at Villa Park.

The response on the pitch was also outstanding as they tore into Villa from the first whistle, pressing high to force goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez and his defenders into poor clearances and uncertainty.

Spurs suddenly looked like a team bursting with self-belief and confidence as the hosts, closing in on a place in next season's Champions League, were run ragged.

Joao Palhinha and Rodrigo Bentancur ruled midfield with quality and physical presence, while the tireless Richarlison never allowed the Villa defence a moment's peace.

On the rare occasions Villa did threaten, Micky van de Ven and Kevin Danso held firm at the back. Even Emi Buendia's goal in the sixth minute of added time came far too late to make Spurs nerves jangle.

This was a complete performance from De Zerbi's men in what looked like one of their most hazardous fixtures, offering a shaft of light after the dark clouds that have hung over them for most of the campaign.

Who do West Ham have to play?

Here's how West Ham's final three games look.

Nuno Espirito Santo's side host title-chasing Arsenal next, in a huge game at both ends of the Premier League table.

A trip to St James' Park to face Newcastle precedes their home match against Leeds United on the final day.

Post

Craig Nelson

BBC Sport reporter

Let's see if you guys agree with Opta.

We are going to publish the fixtures for West Ham, Tottenham and Nottingham Forest.

Then take the poll at the top of the page on who you think will finish in the final relegation spot and send us your views using the 'Get Involved' button.

We also have a poll coming up on how many points you believe it will take to earn Premier League survival this season...

Opta relegation predictions

Look away, West Ham fans...

The supercomputer gives Nuno's side a 76.77% chance of going down this season and expects the Hammers to finish with around 39 points.

Spurs now have a 20.73% chance of relegation, with expected points just over 41, while Forest are given just a 2.36% chance of going down. They're expected to finish with around 44 points.

get involved

Get Involved - Who will be relegated?

Click 'Get Involved' to have your say

The poll at the top of this page asks the question - after this weekend's matches, who do you think will finish in the final relegation spot?

Stick with us and we will have a look at the remaining fixtures for both West Ham - currently in 18th - and 17th-placed Tottenham, as well as Nottingham Forest, who are three points above the Hammers and one above Spurs, with a game in hand.

In the meantime, as well as taking the poll, we would love to know why you think your chosen club will go down.

Just message us with your views using the 'Get Involved' button and we will publish a cross section.

The fight for survival

Things look a little better for Tottenham, and a little worse for West Ham with three games to go.

It's Spurs who are now outside the bottom three after last night's victory, one point above the Hammers.

Nottingham Forest will hope to move six points clear of trouble against Chelsea this afternoon.

Who are you backing to achieve survival from here?

Good morning

Come on, let's be honest, who saw that one coming?

Relegation rivals West Ham and Tottenham both had tough away games on paper as their relegation dogfight went into gameweek 35.

But a defeat for the Hammers at Brentford on Saturday opened the door for Roberto de Zerbi's reinvigorated Spurs and they needed no second invitation to barge their way through it - albeit against an Aston Villa side that potentially had one eye on Thursday's Europa League semi-final second leg against Nottingham Forest.

Stick with us for all the reaction from the weekend's key Premier League fixtures involving sides battling against relegation, before we build up to this afternoon's clash between Chelsea and Forest at Stamford Bridge.

Spurs win at Villa as De Zerbi's rescue mission gathers momentum

Aston Villa 1-2 Tottenham

Phil McNulty

BBC Sport chief football writer

Tottenham Hotspur moved out of the Premier League relegation zone with an outstanding victory at Aston Villa as new head coach Roberto de Zerbi's rescue mission gathered momentum.

West Ham United's defeat at Brentford on Saturday left the door ajar for Spurs to go above their rivals - and they stormed through it with arguably their finest performance of the season.

They made light of injuries to key forwards Xavi Simons and Dominic Solanke in last weekend's victory at Wolverhampton Wanderers - their first in the league since 28 December - to establish a fully deserved two-goal lead at the interval against their fifth-placed hosts.

Conor Gallagher's first goal since his January move from Atletico Madrid, a crisp low finish from 20 yards, was just reward for a fine start as the visitors led after 12 minutes.

Spurs' second goal was not long in coming as Richarlison headed emphatically past Villa keeper Emi Martinez from Mathys Tel's cross in the 25th minute.

Substitute Emi Buendia pulled a goal back for Villa with seconds left but it was too little, too late as Spurs secured the crucial win that moved them a point ahead of West Ham with just three league games left.