Roberto De Zerbi has outlined how he wants Tottenham to approach their clash with Aston Villa, as Spurs look to build momentum at a crucial stage of the season.
Tottenham Hotspur will be looking to build on their 1-0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers when they take to the pitch against Aston Villa this weekend.
Spurs will also be hoping to compound the misery on Unai Emery’s men, who fell to a 1-0 defeat against Nottingham Forest in the Europa League.
Villa are now without a win in their last two outings, having also fallen short in the Premier League against Fulham last weekend after losing 1-0 at Craven Cottage.
Tottenham boss Roberto De Zerbi outlines Aston Villa game plan
There is surely no better time for Tottenham to line up against Villa, a side they have a solid away record against.
Villa are not in the best of positions and could be got at if Spurs get their setup right, and De Zerbi has outlined exactly what his plans are.
Speaking about his tactical approach, the Italian explained his desire for control, organisation and attacking intent.
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He told football.london: “Keeping the ball, showing our qualities, because if we have a chance to win the game, it is because we have great players for me, and fight, run, defend everyone together, with order, with the right organisation, without the ball for sure, because we have to defend, but we have to attack and to keep the ball, and to enjoy with the ball, to try the one-to-one on the wingers’ side, to play when we have the right time and the right space between the lines, that is my idea.”
Spurs must capitalise on Villa vulnerability
It is clear De Zerbi wants his players to feel as confident as they can once they take to the pitch on Sunday evening.
Starting the game on the front foot and with purpose will boost Spurs’ chances of victory, especially after Villa’s Europa League outing on Thursday.
That loss to Forest could play into Tottenham’s hands, tilting the balance of Sunday’s game, as Emery will have an eye on the return leg of the Europa League semi-final.
There is every chance that Villa will rest key players as they look to turn a one-goal deficit around, and Spurs must be confident enough to take the game to them and come away with all three points.