Football FanCast

Tottenham Hotspur have been entrenched in a Premier League relegation battle for the past several months, and for the first time in a long time, they are hopeful that they might survive the storm.

Back-to-back wins under Roberto De Zerbi has helped reset Spurs' confidence levels, but more importantly, there has been a noticeable shift in mindset, with performances improving in spite of so many injuries across almost every department.

Last weekend's win at Aston Villa was particularly impressive, with pundit Micah Richards hailing the "brave" nature of the Londoners' display.

Who better to typify Tottenham's interminable injury crisis than Archie Gray, a young midfielder who has avoided any setbacks himself but who has been at the epicentre of his side's struggles because of it?

Archie Gray's Spurs role under De Zerbi

Gray, 20, joined Tottenham from Leeds United in a £30m deal. It was 2024, and he had been handed the Championship Player of the Year award for his efforts in the second tier with his boyhood club.

However, injuries have indeed pulled him into a far tougher role than he would have envisaged at the nascent stage of his career, appearing 80 times across all competitions for the senior side. He is still so young, but probably one of the most mature players down N17.

After all, former Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp has hailed him as a "future Tottenham captain", hard-working and willing to get stuck in when the going gets tough.

Even so, he's probably not a natural technician in the same vein as Lucas Bergvall, another talented young buck, nor is he as physical as the senior crop currently being nurtured by De Zerbi, who has benched him for Spurs' past three Premier League games.

Gray might not be playing much at the moment, but he remains one of the most exciting young midfielders in the game. The future is bright for this one, but he's currently being outranked by a veteran who is emerging as De Zerbi's next version of Moises Caicedo.

De Zerbi has hit gold on Spurs' own Caicedo

Tottenham's midfielders have been embarrassed by Gray over the past several months, especially when Igor Tudor was at the dusty helm.

This is a different side now, though, and who better to underline that point than Joao Palhinha, who has played like a man possessed in recent weeks.

The 30-year-old, who is on loan from Bayern Munich and who has played plenty of Premier League football in the past with Fulham, has probably been one of the club's stronger performers this season, but his tough-tackling expertise has been wasted without robust and performing creative midfielders in front of him.

Now, that's changing, and the combative talent is emerging as a midfield linchpin in the same way that Caicedo thrived for De Zerbi on the south coast.

Against Aston Villa, he completed 90% of his passes and won four duels.

Palhinha romped his way to the top tackling award across his past two seasons in the Premier League, and though he is behind James Garner this time around, he has featured in five fewer matches than the Everton star.

While Palhinha is not naturally at ease on the ball, his passing game is underrated. He knows how to direct traffic in the middle of the park, albeit to a much lesser degree than someone like Rodrigo Bentancur, who has made a world of difference post-injury in recent weeks.

Obviously, the Portugal international is not on the same level as Caicedo, who joined Chelsea from Brighton for £111m in 2023 and has since established himself as one of the top midfielders of his generation, but he played a simplified role in De Zerbi's Seagulls side, and the Italian coach has applied a similar blueprint with his new enforcer down Hotspur Way.

Whether Tottenham avoid the drop still remains to be seen, but this is a side with fresh life, and Palhinha's strong displays from the heart of the pitch are making the difference.

Tottenham Hotspur are preparing a move for Brighton defender Jan Paul van Hecke, with manager Roberto De Zerbi personally keen.

It has been nothing short of a disastrous campaign for Tottenham, who are just one point clear of the bottom three, despite winning their last two Premier League matches on the spin, most recently picking up a vital three points against Aston Villa.

As such, there has been plenty of speculation surrounding Micky van de Ven, with Premier League rivals Manchester United and Liverpool keen, but there has now been a more encouraging update on the centre-back's future.

Journalist Ben Jacobs said: “You have a profile like Micky Van de ven that Spurs really want to fight to keep if they go down. That’s going to be very difficult, but I tell you something, if Tottenham stay up, my information is that Micky Van de Ven is extremely open signing a new deal.

“Now he’s very happy with Roberto De Zerbi as manager, and De Zerbi coming in has enhanced the chances of Tottenham staying up, that Van de Ven signs a new deal, and [Cristian] Romero still goes.”

That said, with Jacobs hinting Cristian Romero may still depart at the end of the season, ENIC may still need to bring in another centre-back, and they are readying a move for Brighton star Van Hecke, according to a report from TEAMtalk.

The 25-year-old, who pockets £62,500-a-week, is regarded as a 'standout' target for Spurs, and there is a feeling his connection with De Zerbi could give them an advantage over rival suitors Chelsea and Liverpool.

The former Brighton manager is personally keen on a reunion with the 10-cap Netherlands international, who has missed just one Premier League game all season, during which time he's chipped in with three goals and three assists.

Indeed, the Dutchman has been one of Fabian Hurzeler's key players this season, and the Brighton boss praised him in the 2024-25 campaign too, saying: “I think it's very important that we recognise he's a very young player. He's 23 and he plays an unbelievable season. He shows great character. I like his character because he's very straight. He says his opinion, he always has good intentions."

As such, Van Hecke could be a solid replacement for Romero, but Tottenham's number one priority right now will be to avoid relegation, with three crucial games still to play before the season comes to a close.

Tottenham boss Roberto De Zerbi says it is like playing with 12 men when Conor Gallagher is on top form.

Gallagher has endured a tough time at Spurs since joining on loan from Atletico Madrid, but he produced the best display of his spell in Sunday’s pivotal 2-1 win over Aston Villa which saw them move out of the Premier League’s bottom three.

The 26-year-old scored his first goal for the club to put his side in front, but it was his all-round performance that really shone through, with his relentless pressing.

De Zerbi’s system looks like getting the best out of Gallagher.

“When Gallagher plays like this we play with 12 players because you can find him as a striker, as a midfielder, as a full-back, everywhere on the pitch you can find him,” he said.

“Great player, great passion, great qualities. Great player.”

Gallagher admitted it has been a “difficult few months” but enjoyed his evening’s work at Villa Park.

Asked whether it was his best performance in a Spurs shirt, he told Spurs TV: “I think so, for sure.

“It has been a difficult few months for me, for the whole club and this is what I do best, work hard off the ball.

“I am a team player, I try and do what I do best and the fans were able to see that. I’ll keep doing that the best I can to make the club proud, to help Tottenham keep playing like that and get more wins.

“If I am being honest, normally when I scored when you score your first goal for the club there is a relief for yourself, but there was none of that, I was so focused on going again and continuing to play well, knowing how important the three points were.

“I am so happy and so proud.”

The England star may have a new partner in midfield come the summer too, and ironically it's Villa set to go head to head with Spurs for an exciting young talent.

Tottenham 'ready' to launch Keita bid

According to reports in Italy, via Sport Witness, both Spurs and Villa are 'ready to launch a multi-million dollar international bidding war' for Parma midfielder Mandela Keita.

The Italian club aren't in any rush to sell, but the report claims they ‘can’t refuse’ if they receive a ‘significant offer’.

The 23 year-old, hailed as a 'big signing' by Fabrizio Romano on his arrival in Italy last summer, has had a sensational season in Serie A and is also being tracked by Atalanta, Manchester United and Atletico Madrid.

No player in the Parma squad averages more tackles per game or interceptions per game this term, and Tottenham have been scouting him since February.

A full Belgium international and in with a shout of making the squad for this summer's World Cup, his price tag is likely to explode if he performs on the world stage.

RB Leipzig have emerged as the most serious suitor for a Tottenham star, with talks currently ongoing on the player's side, according to a report.

Tottenham players who could leave this summer

If Spurs are relegated to the Championship, a mass exodus is pretty inevitable, but they may have to wave goodbye to a few regardless.

While much of the focus will be on strengthening the squad, survival pending, there is also an expectation that several current players could move on as part of a wider reshuffle.

Spurs are still navigating a torrid Premier League campaign, with a survival battle poised to define their season.

That has kept them outside the top end of the table for long spells, and it has also increased scrutiny on certain members of the squad who have struggled to deliver consistent performances.

Cristian Romero remains one of the most important players in the squad when available, but it has been consistently reported for months that the Argentine is very likely to leave this summer.

Meanwhile, defensive partner Micky van de Ven has also established himself as a key figure, but the Dutchman is attracting major interest from the likes of Chelsea, Liverpool and Real Madrid.

The Lilywhites could demand as much as £88 million for van de Ven, which would make him the most expensive defender in football history, but that will depend on their Premier League status.

Van de Ven and Romero aren't the only centre-backs linked with an exit, either.

Radu Dragusin in talks to join RB Leipzig from Tottenham with bid expected

That brings attention to Radu Dragusin, who only joined Spurs from Genoa in 2024 for around £26 million.

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The Romania international was signed as a young defensive prospect with potential to develop in the Premier League, but his game time has been limited due to injury, competition and the established partnership ahead of him.

Now, according to SportsBoom, RB Leipzig are in talks with Dragusin’s representatives and are expected to submit a bid in the region of £17 million — a figure in and around Tottenham's ideal asking price.

The Bundesliga side are long-term admirers of the defender and are exploring a move as they look to strengthen their back line, but they face competition from Roma and Juventus.

For Spurs, the situation is relatively straightforward.

While Dragusin is still highly rated in some quarters internally, the club are said to be open to offers that meet their valuation of between £17 million and £22 million, especially as they look to manage squad balance and create room for future recruitment.

The 24-year-old has not been a regular starter due to the presence of Romero and van de Ven, and his opportunities have often come in rotation or cup matches.

His adaptation period was also disrupted when he suffered a long-term ACL injury in February 2025 that kept him out for months.

The major setback halted his momentum just as he was beginning to settle into the squad, and it has made it harder for him to establish himself in the pecking order since returning.

That context is important when assessing Leipzig’s interest.

The German side are known for targeting players with development potential, and Dragusin still fits that profile despite a difficult period in England.

From Tottenham’s perspective, the reported £17-22m valuation suggests they are open to selling at a loss.

Tottenham Hotspur believe once again. Confidence in the Londoners' ability to pull off an escape act in this unwonted Premier League relegation battle had been stripped away over the course of the campaign, but Roberto De Zerbi has changed the mindset.

Back-to-back wins in the Premier League have allowed Spurs to leapfrog rivals West Ham United. They are now out of the danger zone and their are three matches left to play. Two points clear, there's so much on the line.

While winning home form still eludes them, Tottenham face Leeds United down N17 on Saturday afternoon, and a win against the 14th-place Whites, who are unbeaten in six Premier League games, would mark another significant stride - especially if the Hammers fail to beat Arsenal the day before.

De Zerbi has reinstilled a winning spirit and bite about this Spurs side, but they are certainly missing a superstar presence, someone like Gareth Bale or Harry Kane to lead the way forward.

More immediately, though, the Lilywhites need to maintain this new degree of fluency and shore up their backline.

Spurs' defensive problems in 25/26

Tottenham have committed ten errors directly leading to a goal this season, underscoring the fragile and uncertain nature of the Londoners' system, spread across three managers.

Whether Tottenham stay up or they don't, so much needs to change. Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven are both facing uncertain futures down N17, and the supporting cast at the rearguard leave too much to be desired for them to play prominent roles next year.

Injuries or not, there's still no excuse for Tottenham to have shipped as many goals as they have across the course of the Premier League campaign.

Romero and Van de Ven are two of Tottenham's best players, though, and in a weird irony, might have been the standouts this season in spite of the wider issues in defence.

Who says that defenders can't be superstars? After all, Tottenham have a generational talent who could end up rivalling the likes of Gareth Bale down Hotspur Way, and he hasn't even featured under De Zerbi.

Spurs have hit gold on the new Bale

Players like Bale only come around once in a blue moon, but for Tottenham they may have signed their new version in Luka Vuskovic.

Albeit the 19-year-old is a centre-back, not a rip-roaring winger with generational attacking quality, but we're not talking about positional value here; rather, unique skill and the potential to develop into a world-class superstar.

Currently out on loan in Germany with Hamburg, Vuskovic is the real deal, a teenager, yet one of the most impressive defenders in the Bundesliga, winning 7.5 duels per game and scoring five goals across 26 games from the back.

Maybe there is something Bale-esque about him after all. Tottenham need to stay in the Premier League, lest they are forced to part with a precocious talent whose talent demands football higher than the Championship.

Having signed for the club from Hajduk Split for £12m in 2023, when he was only 16 years old, Vuskovic has yet to play for the Londoners, but even so, his impressive displays across a series of loan spells have lifted his value up to £43m, according to CIES Football Observatory, marking a staggering 250% increase.

Though Spurs already have one of the youngest sides in the Premier League, Vuskovic plays with an age-belying maturity that suggests he could become a mainstay in De Zerbi's defence from the get-go.

After all, this is a "freak talent", says analyst and Como scout Ben Mattinson, who is joined by many in being awed by the Croatian prodigy's athleticism, strength and command of the defensive game.

Vuskovic is not a forward, but he is a unique defender. Authoritative and instinctive, he does not bring a cerebral approach to the defensive game, but instead relies on a natural understanding that allows him to mix defensive brawn with a ball-playing focus.

Though Spurs have two top centre-backs in Romero and Van de Ven, Vuskovic might be cut from finer cloth, and he could end up emerging as one of the hottest stars in all of Europe next season, emulating Bale in presence if not position.

Now, Tottenham Hotspur have the momentum in the Premier League relegation battle.

Still tussling for safety with London rivals West Ham United, Spurs have won back-to-back games under Roberto De Zerbi, belying their injury-ravaged conundrum with displays of fresh confidence and inspiration.

Defensively, Spurs have been much stronger in recent weeks, conceding only 1.84 xG across their past three matches. Their wasted attack have found something deep within themselves and are now leading the charge in spite of so many injuries.

Expected goals against (xGA) is the number of goals a team is expected to have conceded based on the quality and quantity of shots they face.

But it's the midfield that has fuelled this late-season resurgence, the likes of Conor Gallagher, Joao Palhinha and Rodrigo Bentancur coming up trumps.

How De Zerbi has fixed Spurs' midfield

Tottenham's resurgence stems from the centre. Too often this season, the Spurs midfield has been too easy to play through, as soft as butter left out of the fridge.

In possession, they have been equally stodgy, and even though Xavi Simons has joined the lengthy infirmary, this is a team who look more coherent and together. Against Aston Villa, during that priceless win, this certainly looked the case.

Over the past few weeks, Tottenham have reduced their xGA, which basically means that they are limiting the chances opponents receive against them.

Expected goals against (xGA) is the number of goals a team is expected to have conceded based on the quality and quantity of shots they face.

Gallagher's all-action midfield play has helped, but Bentancur's tempo-setting quality has been the key, the Uruguayan returning from an injury that started in January with more fluency than he had beforehand in Thomas Frank's system, such as it was.

Palhinha, 30 and on loan from Bayern Munich, has been excellent all year, winning 5.6 duels per game at a success rate of 61%. For a midfield anchor, at the heart of angry traffic, this is impressive.

Injuries, injuries, injuries. Tottenham have struggled for creativity all season, but so many setbacks have precluded the kind of expansive play that other Premier League rivals have removed themselves from by choice this season.

Gallagher and Bentancur and Palhinha are an industrious and effective mix, and they might just keep the Lilywhites safe. This has come at the expense of another valuable Spurs star, though.

Spurs' "future captain" can't start again in 25/26

The future is bright for Tottenham, and while he's struggling for minutes under De Zerbi's wing, Archie Gray has been touted for big things in north London, even projected to be a potential "future Tottenham captain" by the one and only Harry Redknapp.

The young midfielder has been put through the wringer in the two years he has been at Tottenham. He joined from Leeds United for £30m, aged 18, and though he was awarded a Europa League gold medal last year, domestic form has been brutal for the Londoners.

Now, after being among the most important players for Ange Postecoglou, Frank and Igor Tudor, Gray has been benched for Spurs' past three Premier League matches, and with so much on the line, it must stay that way until the start of next season.

This is an issue of physicality. De Zerbi's first match in charge, defeat against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light, was a tough one, and Gray was hooked after the hour mark.

The 20-year-old has only won 35% of his duels in the Premier League this season, and against the Black Cats, he did not even make a single challenge.

The former Leeds United prodigy remains a top talent and someone who could play a big role over the coming years, but De Zerbi is right to have removed him from the starting line-up now that Bentancur is back and Gallagher is playing well.

Part of the problem for Gray has been the insistence of a succession of managers for him to play all across the park. The youngster's tactical dynamism is impressive, but it may have been disruptive for the flow of his development, especially when considering how heavily Spurs have been battered by the events of the campaign.

De Zerbi has hit a winning formula at Tottenham, and it's no coincidence that he has decided against starting Gray after that tough first fixture of his tenure.

Gray is technical and tenacious, but he might not be physical enough to withstand the pressures of this late-stage relegation dogfight. Instead, De Zerbi has strung up a midfield trio who pack a considerable punch, and it may well be what gets them over the finish line.

Tottenham have given the green-light for a big name player to leave this summer for around half of what they were asking for last year, according to reports.

Tottenham climb out of drop zone after vital win at Aston Villa

Spurs have given themselves a major survival boost after a huge 2-1 win away at Aston Villa on Sunday.

It was a result that lifted them out of the drop zone and brought some much-needed belief back into the squad after a difficult stretch.

Form in recent weeks had been a major concern.

Spurs had been struggling for consistency before Roberto De Zerbi, picking up zero Premier League wins in 2026 and slipping into real trouble near the bottom of the table.

De Zerbi guided them to their first league victory of the calendar year against Wolves the weekend before last, but their very precarious position made that victory at Villa Park all the more important.

It was not just about the three points, but also about showing resilience under pressure and responding when it mattered most.

West Ham's 3-0 slip up away to Brentford means Spurs' destiny is now back in their own hands after a massive last week for the Lilywhites, but it isn't over just yet.

While attention remains on survival, planning for the summer is already underway, and one of the biggest talking points involves the future of Cristian Romero.

Cristian Romero 'top of sale list' as Tottenham green-light cut-price exit

According to a report from The Boy Hotspur, Romero is no longer considered 'untouchable' and is now 'top of the sale list' heading into June.

The report suggests Tottenham have significantly lowered their expectations over a potential fee, with the defender now valued up to £56 million rather than the previously discussed figure of over £100 million last year (The Independent).

That shift represents a major change in stance.

Not long ago, the 28-year-old was widely seen as one of the club’s key assets, with suggestions that only a huge offer would even be considered.

Past claims had placed his potential price well into nine figures, reflecting his status as a World Cup-winning centre-back and one of Spurs’ most important players.

Now, the situation appears different.

Financial pressures and the club’s current position are likely to play a role.

Missing out on European football and spending much of the season battling near the bottom has created a need to reassess priorities. Selling a high-value player could help balance the books and fund a wider rebuild.

Romero’s importance on the pitch has never really been in doubt.

When available, he has been a central figure in Tottenham’s defence, bringing aggression, leadership and top-level experience. However, injuries, inconsistency and a tendency for suspension mean Spurs have not always been able to rely on him.

If the reported valuation is accurate, it could attract strong interest.

A fee in the region of £56 million is far more accessible for top European clubs compared to the previous £100 million-plus range.

That opens the door to serious offers, especially from sides looking to strengthen defensively at the highest level, with Real and Atlético Madrid named as concrete suitors.

Selling Romero would be a major decision, not just financially but also in terms of leadership and quality within the squad. Replacing a player of his calibre would not be straightforward, especially if they go down.

For now, though, the priority remains on the pitch.

The win over Villa, their second three points on the bounce, has given Tottenham a platform, but there is still work to do to secure their Premier League status.

Off the field, Romero’s situation is one to watch closely.

Tottenham Hotspur are not secure, but they have rediscovered their fighting spirit, winning back-to-back games in the Premier League to have climbed out of the relegation at West Ham United's expense.

Three games left. Still an awfully long way to go. In a relegation dogfight such as this one, fortunes can change in an instant, and while Roberto De Zerbi is doing fantastic work in north London, he cannot do much about Spurs' excessive injury problems.

There's no question that Tottenham have improved, but this one is going to go down to the wire, and De Zerbi will have to navigate around a startling number of injuries have have shown no sign of abating.

The latest Spurs injury news

Tottenham have picked up too many injuries over the past few years. In all honesty, it's quite incredible; certainly, it beggars belief, and it's not outrageous to claim that without so many setbacks, this side would never have come within a whiff of a relegation battle.

In recent weeks, Tottenham have lost Xavi Simons and Dominic Solanke, the respective forwards falling at a critical moment in the campaign.

That made the big win at Aston Villa all the more impressive, with Conor Gallagher finally growing into his skin as an all-action midfield leader and Richarlison harnessing his talismanic quality in the final third to consolidate the away side's Herculean victory.

Tottenham have so many injuries, but there are indeed signs of life in this squad. Some of the biggest strugglers are now, finally, putting in big shifts, with Spurs' new Lucas Moura among them.

De Zerbi has hit gold on Spurs' new Lucas

Lucas was never the most talented forward at Tottenham, but he is fondly remembered for several iconic moments and a tireless, high-energy workrate.

Before Spurs, he played for Paris Saint-Germain, and in that, the Londoners have finally replaced the Brazilian with Randal Kolo Muani, who is on loan from the French capital and has struggled for consistency across the campaign.

However, now Kolo Muani is finally clicking into gear at the perfect moment, with his performance against Aston Villa evidence of a player who is embracing the fight, winning so many duels and showcasing his fleet footwork with a number of darting runs down the right channel.

Having joined the club last summer, optimism was high, with Kolo Muani coming off the back of a productive loan spell in Italy with Juventus.

But it hasn't gone that way. He has struggled for much of the season, only scoring once in the Premier League.

But he's bouncing back now, and given that he will likely play a central role over the final few weeks (due to the outfit's shortage of options), he may well be the new Lucas.

Harry Kane, it's worth noting, was absent for that memorable comeback, and Moura stepped up in his absence, scoring not once or twice but thrice on one of the greatest nights in the club's history.

Now, with so many injured players putting De Zerbi's Tottenham in deep bother, Kolo Muani is emerging as an unlikely source of inspiration, probably putting in his best performance of the season against Villa.

He didn't score or assist, but the France international impressed throughout the contest, showing that he can contribute toward the fightback against the danger zone at the foot of the Premier League table.

Kolo Muani isn't going to wear a Tottenham shirt next season, but he is playing a part for an outfit targeting resurgence. He may yet establish cult status, thus departing with a reputation akin to Lucas' before him.

Sunderland's first season back in the Premier League is petering out, but there's no question that this has been an exceptional year for Regis Le Bris and his side.

However, they have tapered off at the backend of the campaign, and while Le Bris has earned his flowers and then some, there are some fundamental issues that need sorting out. The Black Cats are not quite creative enough, and their hardy defence has creaked open in recent months.

Sunderland are not porous, but their five-goal defeat against Nottingham Forest was humiliating, and they were under the cosh for much of their draw against Wolves at Molineux.

It's clear that the Wearsiders need another big summer transfer window, and while fans will hope for attacking additions, they need a centre-back.

Why Sunderland need to sign a centre-back

Sunderland have done an excellent job this season, but they have conceded ten goals in their past three Premier League outings, and Dan Ballard's red card at Molineux is not going to help matters over the coming weeks.

Who Sunderland sign is another question, and while competition will be fierce, Tottenham Hotspur's Luka Vuskovic could be the perfect man for the job.

The Sunderland Echo have suggested that the young defender would be a brilliant addition at the Stadium of Light next season, and if Spurs are relegated from the Premier League, a realistic opportunity to sign the centre-back could emerge.

The 19-year-old is currently out on loan with Hamburg in the German Bundesliga, and he's thriving, estimated to be worth around £36m.

Why Vuskovic would be Sunderland's best defender

Sunderland have one of the youngest squads in the Premier League, and Vuskovic would deepen that identity while bringing age-belying maturity that has been developed out on loan in Germany.

This is a monstrous defender, someone who has been hailed as a "freak talent" by Como scout Ben Mattinson for his immense athleticism and robustness on the ball.

At Hamburg this season, the 19-year-old has raked in the plaudits, scoring five goals across 26 matches and winning an absurd number of challenges each game.

Though Ballard and Omar Alderete have formed a formidable defensive partnership, it's undeniable that Sunderland have slipped from their imperious early-season standards, and if you look at the charts for xGA, you would see that they have overperformed by 11.56 goals.

Expected goals against (xGA) is the number of goals a team is expected to have conceded based on the quality and quantity of shots they face.

Next season, Ballard and Vuskovic could thrive together, but there's no question that the latter has the potential to not only star as Sunderland's centrepiece but stake his claim as one of the Premier League's star centre-backs.

The pair share a certain likeness on the ball, both ball-playing centre-halves. Moreover, they are active defenders, making so many clearances and aerial duels.

Prising Vuskovic away from Tottenham won't be easy, but if the Londoners are relegated, Sunderland could offer him the perfect new stomping ground to build his career in English football, keeping him away from the second tier.

Vuskovic is a talented defender, and while Tottenham would want to keep onto him this summer, he's not going to want to play in the Championship next season. He's better than that.

At Sunderland, the rising star would continue his development and have the chance to become a centrepiece in a strong Premier League backline. He might even outstrip the likes of Ballard and Alderete.

Tottenham Hotspur have only gone and won back-to-back games in the Premier League.

There's no question that Aston Villa were abject at Villa Park, careless and slow and ponderous. Unai Emery fielded a weakened team ahead of the Europa League semi-final tie on Thursday, but Spurs won't care a jot for that.

Roberto De Zerbi has had a significant effect on this Spurs side, who have leapt out of the relegation zone ahead of next weekend's home contest against Leeds United.

Supporters are starting to believe, and the players are too, with many producing strong performances at Villa Park.

Spurs' best players vs Aston Villa

Tottenham have finally started to climb up toward safety. The relegation battle is still thick, but this team has new life, with Joao Palhinha now joined by many of his peers in actually playing well for the London side.

When Spurs replaced Igor Tudor with De Zerbi last month, they had not won in the Premier League since December. Confidence was papery thin, but mentality can change much, and the Londoners are benefiting from a change in system and leadership.

Defensively, they were steely; Villa only created 0.31 xG across the evening.

Expected Goals (xG) is a metric designed to measure the probability of a shot resulting in a goal.

In attack, too, this was a much sharper display, Richarlison getting on the scoresheet and Mathys Tel playing well on the left.

However, one player stood out above all others for Tottenham, playing like prime Mousa Dembele in this relegation-threatened squad.

How De Zerbi has found Spurs' new Dembele

Dembele was the ultimate controller in midfield for Tottenham, energetic and intelligent. He set the pace, and now, it looks like Conor Gallagher is finally growing into a similar role in De Zerbi's Tottenham team.

It's been tough for the 26-year-old this season, joining Spurs from Atletico Madrid for £35m in January. However, he is growing into his skin now, when his team need him most.

Look, Gallagher has got a long way to go before he can be considered in the same vein as Dembele, who was monstrous in the middle for Mauricio Pochettino's Tottenham, but he is starting to play with gusto and confidence, happy to influence.

The England international works his socks off, and while his goal was sublime, it was the cherry on top of a consumnate midfield performance, winning four duels, two tackles and taking only two unsuccessful touches.

That is a remarkable level of control on the ball. What's more, Gallagher played with intelligence, picking out correct passes and tying the thirds together.

Synergy and togetherness have been sorely lacking at Tottenham this season, but now, at the season's critical juncture, a page might have been turned, with Gallagher happy to star at the heart of the project with so many of his teammates sidelined.

De Zerbi made the point in his post-match interview that an on-point Gallagher is akin to playing with 12 men, for he covers so much ground and impacts numerous different phases of play, both in the build-up and during deeper defensive sequences.

Tottenham still have a long way to go, but they are finally out of the bottom three after what felt like an interminable amount of time.

Gallagher has had his detractors in a Tottenham shirt, but now, he is the main man in the middle of the park, controlling and dictating in a way that is not all that dissimilar to Dembele in his prime.