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Roberto De Zerbi has spoken of his pride at seeing his Tottenham team beat Aston Villa, but warned against forgetting the situation his side were in just a matter of weeks ago.

Having lost to Sunderland in his first game in charge on April 12 and then drawn 2-2 against former club Brighton six days later, prior to the trip to Wolves on April 25, the north London club were sat 18th in the Premier League table, two points from safety.

But after beating the division's bottom side, then Champions League-chasing Villa, Spurs have not only won back-to-back league games for the first time since the first two games of the season, but leapfrogged the Hammers into 17th with three games remaining.

Report: Spurs move out of relegation zone with crucial victory at Villa

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Speaking to TNT Sports after the final whistle at Villa Park, De Zerbi said: "We played against Aston Villa and Aston Villa is a very good team, with a lot of very good players and a great manager, but we played very well for 60 minutes, with the ball, without the ball.

"We could have scored more goals, especially in the first half, but I'm pleased for this performance from my players. I know how much they suffered this season and for that I'm very proud. The only bad thing on the pitch was the goal we conceded.

"It's not finished yet, the season. We have to play another three games, very tough games, starting [next] Monday night, with Leeds.

"Leeds are playing very well. They deserve to stay in this position in the table.

"We can't forget what the situation was before Wolverhampton - and before that it was a very sad situation.

"These memories have to stay in our head every day, especially this week after this win."

The Italian was also asked what pleased him most on Sunday evening.

"The high pressure, for sure, because the high pressure is a mentality," he said

"Then the possession because we played very, very well, with calm. When we had to attack the space or to go to shoot, we did. When we had to keep the ball, we did.

"I love playing football. Especially if you have these players in the squad, my job is to help them, to put them in the right condition to play, to show what they are capable of doing."

And he reserved special praise for man of the match Conor Gallagher.

"When Conor Gallagher played well, we played with 12 players," De Zerbi said. "He's an amazing player.

"Today also, Randal Kolo Muani and Mathys Tel, they played a fantastic game. Joao Palhinha and [Rodrigo] Bentancur were incredible. The two centre-backs, with the ball and without the ball. I'm very pleased."

Gallagher: Hopefully this is just the start

Tottenham's Conor Gallagher speaking to TNT Sports:

"It was a fantastic performance. Exactly what we needed.

"Everything we did in the week leading up to the game, we showed tonight and we're really happy with the performance and three points.

"It's been a perfect night, but hopefully it's only the start. We want to carry it on for the last few games of the season.

"It's massive for us and hopefully our confidence can start growing and we can keep playing games like that."

"I can't speak highly enough of him [De Zerbi]. He's been so good.

"Every player in the squad has taken to him, everyone trusts him, he makes you feel good, confident, he's bringing the best out of players and it's only the start.

"Hopefully we can keep learning from him and build a great team."

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Tottenham breathed new life into their battle to stay in the Premier League with a 2-1 victory at Champions league-chasing Aston Villa to move out of the relegation zone.

West Ham's 3-0 defeat at Brentford on Saturday opened the door for Spurs, and Roberto De Zerbi's side stepped confidently through it as the battle to beat the drop took a plot twist.

Spurs looked a different side under De Zerbi The way they pressed and won back possession all over the pitch was reminiscent of De Zerbi's Brighton, giving every indication Spurs will have enough to stay in the top flight next season.

Aston Villa, who made seven changes from their Europa League semi-final first leg defeat to Nottingham Forest, were second best from the very first whistle as first-half goals from Conor Gallagher and Richarlison as good as finished the game as a contest.

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The expected Villa resurgence never came in the second half and despite Emi Buendia's stoppage-time header, it was Spurs' night as they produced arguably their best performance of the season at such a crucial point in the campaign.

Spurs, who now have back-to-back wins in the league since their first two games of the season, are now one point above 18th-placed West Ham with three games of the season left to play and favourites to beat the drop, and with a home game to come against Leeds, after the Hammers host Arsenal, their position could be even better next week.

While it was Spurs' best performance of the season, Villa produced their worst display of the campaign, with their attention clearly on Thursday's Europa League semi-final second leg against Nottingham Forest.

Villa, who stay fifth with a six-point cushion to Bournemouth in sixth, have suffered three straight defeats in all competitions and missed the chance to all but seal a Champions League spot for next season.

Unai Emery's men now have to produce a response from a lacklustre display to overcome a one-goal deficit against Forest on Thursday.

VOTE: Who will take the final relegation spot?

De Zerbi: Spurs showed what we are capable of

Spurs boss Roberto De Zerbi to TNT Sports:

"We played against Aston Villa and Aston Villa is a very good team, with a lot of very good players and a great manager, but we played very well for 60 minutes, I think, with the ball, without the ball.

"Then we suffered Watkins, we suffered Buendia, we concede a goal. The only bad thing on the pitch was the goal we conceded.

"We could have scored more goals, especially in the first half, but I'm pleased for this performance from my players. I know how much they suffered this season and for that I'm very proud."

On what pleased him the most about Spurs' performance, he added: "The high pressure, for sure, because the high pressure is a mentality. Then the possession because we played very, very well, with calm. When we had to attack the space or to go to shoot, we did. When we had to keep the ball, we did.

"I love playing football. Especially if you have these players in the squad, my job is to help them, to put them in the right condition to play, to show what they are capable of doing."

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Sky Sports' betting expert Lewis Jones:

When you're assessing the player markets at this stage of the season, motivation and narrative can be just as powerful as the raw numbers and this is one where everything is aligning.

Bruno Fernandes to register an assist at 6/4 with Sky Bet looks a cracking play. Fernandes is sitting on 19 Premier League assists this season - just one shy of the all-time single-season record held by Thierry Henry (2002/03) and Kevin De Bruyne (2019/20).

Watching him recently, it's obvious he's actively looking to create rather than finish moves. His first instinct in and around the box is to slide passes, pick runners, and manufacture chances. That mindset is exactly what you want when backing assist lines.

At 6/4, you're getting a playmaker in elite form, with a clear target in sight, pulling the strings in a home environment where he thrives.

Everything points towards another assist being firmly on the agenda.

SCORE PREDICTION: 3-2 | JONES KNOWS' BEST BET: Bruno Fernandes to register an assist (6/4 with Sky Bet)

Manchester United vs Liverpool. It never needs extra billing.

A rivalry between two powerhouses.

United are on the cusp of qualifying for the Champions League with a win and if Bournemouth fail to beat Crystal Palace.

Liverpool will secure a top five finish with a win if both Brighton and Bournemouth fail to win.

Both teams are basically there, meaning this is all about bragging rights. With jeopardy lifted, this could be a cracker.

Let's get it on.

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Liverpool head coach Arne Slot:

"Every game you play has influence on your league position, That is not only when you play Man Utd.

" We are aware of the fact that it is a very big game, not only because we play Man Utd but also to qualify for Champions League and to get the highest possible position in the league table.

"We wanted to win the league. That is not possible, so we are trying to finish as high as possible. That is something we are going to try again on Sunday."

On potentially being able to confirm top-five finish with a win:

"I wouldn't say it is a step forward, but it is the right step to make. We know how important it is to qualify for the Champions League for any club, but definitely for our club.

"It is an important step. Is it a step forward? It is definitely not a step backwards but it is an important step to make."

Liverpool boss Arne Slot says Mohamed Salah is not fit to face Manchester United on Sunday – but he has confirmed he will be back before the end of the season.

It was feared that Salah, who is moving on in the summer, had played his final game after being forced off with an injury against Crystal Palace.

However, Liverpool expect him back playing before the season is out, giving the forward an opportunity to have a proper Anfield send-off.

"As we know from Mo, he is always working incredibly hard when he is fit but also when he is injured to be back as soon as possible.

"We expect him to be back for the final part of the season but not for Sunday."

He added: "In all ways it is a big relief that his injury is minor so he is able to play for us [again] and at the World Cup.

"If ever there was a player that deserves a big send-off, it is definitely Mo."

Goalkeeper Alisson Becker has not yet trained with his Liverpool team-mates ahead of Sunday's trip to Old Trafford.

Slot did not rule him out but said they would not "take a risk".

"He is very close to training with us. I have to hear today from the medical staff if he is able to train with us today, tomorrow or the start of next week.

"He's very close. We never want to take a risk with a player."

Man Utd head coach Michael Carrick on potentially finishing above Liverpool this season:

"It shows the improvements of the group and getting stronger to be coming into this game in a good position on the back of some good results and trying to achieve moving forward.

"We're fully aware of the situation in the league and how close it is between us, but that's not something we've focused on.

"It's a one-off game. They've got some good players and they won the league last year, and we respect everything that goes into the game.

"We're treating it as a one-off game and the league is what it is. Sunday is a whole different ball game.

"It's real privilege for us all to be involved in it... it's two incredible football clubs and to be so close together in so many ways, in terms of titles and geography, to have such an impact over such a time is so special.

"We all appreciate that."

Man Utd head coach Michael Carrick on Liverpool rivalry:

"It's certainly one of my favourite games. It's a standout game.

"There's big games and big rivalries that we have with other teams, but this one is right up there.

"The history, the ups and downs the history has produced in these kinds of games and the excitement, entertainment and emotion, which is a huge part of it, it makes it a really special game.

"It's the edge and the competition, irrespective of league positions over the years of who has ben on top at certain times, it's never really changed the feeling of the game and the emotion of the supporters.

"It's appreciating what it means to the supporters, we have to do that. It's a special game to be part of and to come out on top is the best feeling you can get."

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Tottenham boss Roberto De Zerbi launched a passionate rallying cry in the club's fight to avoid the drop, declaring "we're not relegated yet" and wants an end to "negative" voices around Spurs.

Despite earning their first Premier League win of 2026 last weekend at Wolves, Spurs remain two points from safety and their task to beat the drop has been made even more challenging following injuries to Xavi Simons and Dominic Solanke.

But ahead of Sunday's trip to Aston Villa, where Spurs could find themselves five points adrift of West Ham if they win at Brentford on Saturday, De Zerbi has no time for negativity.

Responding to Sky Sports News' Michael Bridge's question, the Italian said: "I watched you on TV, but it is not a polemic. I heard, 'It is impossible [to stay up]'. We are crying, everyone [saying], 'We are relegated.' Not yet.

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"We have to die on the pitch and to die on the pitch we have to lose the game. Before losing the game, we have to play and we have to fight.

"We have two points less than West Ham and they have to play a difficult game as well.

"It is not the best moment for us; it is a tough and difficult moment.

"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."

He added: "The most important challenge now is to silence the voice inside of us. Inside of the players, the staff and the fans.

"This voice produces negative thoughts and it says we are unlucky, we have too many injuries, we lost Xavi Simons, he was in the last two games one of our best and most important players.

"Our medical staff not good enough, the pitch of the stadium and the training ground is not good, it is impossible winning two or three games in a row because we have not won too many games in 2026.

"I think these are all negative things and it's rubbish because I want to keep my focus on ourselves and the quality of my players.

"We go to play against one of the best teams at the moment in the Premier League. I have big respect for [Unai] Emery as a coach but if Tottenham win at Villa Park it is not a miracle.

"Maybe we lose but we have the quality to win this game and it is not a miracle.

"We have to be positive and [feel] lucky because we are working in a big club.

"If Solanke and Simons are injured we can play with [Randal] Kolo Muani, [Mathys] Tel, Richarlison and they are not worse players. They are different with characteristics but very good players.

"We have Pedro Porro, [Destiny] Udogie, Micky van de Ven, [Rodrigo] Bentancur, [Joao] Palhinha, [Conor] Gallagher.

"For that all these things I don't have enough time to hear this or listen to these things."

Sky Sports News reporter lifts lids on De Zerbi exchange!

Sky Sports News' Michael Bridge:

"I was wondering if De Zerbi was going to say something to me because he was giving me one of those looks.

"I was about to ask, 'What a great win for Spurs, but it came at a huge cost with the injuries to Simons and Solanke and did they put a cloud over a much-needed win?' So I was leading to that question, but then De Zerbi said he watched me!

"I think he was referring to me on Monday with Tim Sherwood and Tom White on Sky Sports News' Fan Club, reading over an injury graphic.

"The graphic was not good because there are so many injuries! These are not one or two-week injuries; these are long-term absentees like Wilson Odobert, Dejan Kulusevski, Mohammed Kudus, Cristian Romero and now Simons.

"When De Zerbi first joined, he said to me he wanted to count on Kudus, but then he picked up a quad injury. He wanted to count on Romero, but then he got a serious injury at Sunderland. He wanted to count on Simons, but then he got a serious injury at Wolves.

"So the point I was making on Monday is that he's been so unlucky with these serious injuries, and could it derail Tottenham's chances of staying in the Premier League?

"But he doesn't want any negativity, and he's getting on with it, so my message back to him is 'You're absolutely right, fair play'."

PL Predictions: Spurs to get hammered at Villa

Sky Sports' tipster Lewis Jones:

If it looks like relegation season, smells like a relegation season, quacks like a relegation season then it's probably a relegation season.

The footballing gods have made up their mind on Spurs it seems. That line of thinking was rubberstamped despite the 1-0 win at Wolves where they didn't play well.

That West Ham injury-time winner was a cruel one and yet more injuries to key players in Xavi Simons, their only real creative player in form, and Dominic Solanke is making an already tough task even more difficult for Roberto De Zerbi.

But there is one place that still believes in this Tottenham team: the betting markets. And this really is great news as we can back Aston Villa at a staggering price at odds against of 21/20 with Sky Bet for the win.

The market has got too carried away by Spurs' need for the win and have glossed over the key factor in that they are an inferior team in every department.

Aston Villa at home under Unai Emery are so difficult to beat - this is a team that has beaten Man City, Arsenal and Man Utd at Villa Park this season. Beating Spurs should be a doddle.

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