A Strong Message from Roberto De Zerbi
Roberto De Zerbi has delivered a powerful message to Tottenham’s relegation rivals, warning them not to underestimate the team. He also emphasized that there will be no room for despair at the club, even with ongoing injury challenges this season.
Tottenham secured their first Premier League win in 16 matches against Wolves on Saturday. However, this victory was quickly overshadowed by news that Xavi Simons is set to miss most of 2026 due to a knee injury, while Dominic Solanke is also sidelined with a hamstring issue.
Ahead of their match against Aston Villa, De Zerbi began his press conference with a four-minute speech focused on overcoming negativity and reinforcing his belief that 18th-placed Tottenham can avoid relegation.
“I watched you. I watched you this week,” De Zerbi told a Sky Sports reporter.
“Listen, I want to be clear one time. The most important challenge now is to silence the voice inside of us, inside of the players, inside of the staff and inside of the fans. This voice can produce negative thoughts.
“The voice says, ‘we are unlucky, we have too many injuries, we lost Xavi Simons and he was the last two games one of the best players and most important players for us, our medical staff is not good enough and the pitch of the stadium is not good, the pitch of the training ground is not good, it is impossible to win two or three games in a row because we have not won too many games in 2026’. I think it is all negative things and it is rubbish.
“We go to play against one of the best teams in this moment in the Premier League. We have a big respect for Emery as a coach, but if Tottenham win in Villa Park, it is not a miracle.
“Maybe we lose, I don’t know, but we have the quality to win this game and it is not a miracle, so I think we have to be positive and to be lucky because we are working in a big club.
“I heard no, that it is impossible, we are crying everyone and we are relegated. But no, not yet. And we have to die on the pitch and to die on the pitch we have to lose the game.
“Before we lose the game we have to play, we have to fight and we have two points less than West Ham, but West Ham have to play difficult games as well like us.
“For that, OK it is not the best moment for us, it is a tough moment, a difficult moment, but the losers cry. The losers think negative. I don’t want people close to me crying or to think in a different way to me.
“We are good enough to win the games and we are good enough to stay up.”
Key Injuries and Team Availability
Spurs will be without at least eight players at Villa Park, including Guglielmo Vicario, who remains ruled out. However, Destiny Udogie is available for the match.
When asked about whether Solanke can return this season, De Zerbi said: “I don’t know yet.”
The Importance of a Positive Mindset
De Zerbi’s message highlights the importance of maintaining a positive mindset, regardless of the challenges faced. He stressed that the team must focus on what they can control rather than the negative voices around them.
His words serve as a reminder that even in difficult times, determination and belief can make a significant difference. By staying united and focused, Tottenham can still turn their season around.
The club’s supporters and staff are encouraged to remain optimistic and continue backing the team. As De Zerbi emphasized, the path to survival requires hard work, resilience, and a refusal to succumb to negativity.
With key players missing, the upcoming match against Aston Villa will be crucial for Tottenham’s hopes of avoiding relegation. The team must come together and demonstrate the quality and determination needed to secure vital points.
As the season progresses, the focus will remain on staying positive, fighting for every game, and proving that Tottenham can overcome the odds. The journey may be challenging, but with the right mindset, the team can still achieve their goal of remaining in the Premier League.
