Tottenham’s Premier League scoring drought ended too late to prevent Aston Villa from securing a 3-2 victory in north London on Saturday, further worsening Roberto De Zerbi’s difficult start in charge.
Spurs are still searching for their first league victory of the season and did not score their opening goals until Villa had established a commanding 3-0 advantage.
Villa themselves had experienced difficulties in front of goal after the squad that lifted the Europa League last season underwent major changes during the transfer window.
However, new arrivals Johan Manzambi and Nicolas Jackson scored before and after the interval respectively, giving Unai Emery’s reshaped side their first league victory, before Emi Buendia added a spectacular third goal.
Tottenham’s first consolation came late and with the help of a Villa deflection, as Conor Gallagher’s shot struck Matty Cash on its way into the net. Jan Paul van Hecke then headed in during stoppage time to make the scoreline closer.
Spurs invested more than £300 million ($400 million) in new players during the summer in an effort to prevent another relegation battle after the difficulties they faced last season. However, that spending has so far produced limited results.
As has been the case in several recent matches, Tottenham began with plenty of energy but gradually lost momentum.
Savio was denied twice within seconds by Suzuki, who then reacted quickly to keep out a powerful effort from Archie Gray.
Villa had collected only one point from their first four league matches, although they had been without their club-record signing, Manzambi, for much of that run.
The Switzerland international opened his account for Villa by finishing Boubacar Kamara’s cross from close range.
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Tottenham are also likely to voice their concerns about the new regulations requiring players who receive treatment for injuries to remain off the pitch for at least one minute.
Micky Van de Ven suffered a blow to the head, leaving Spurs temporarily short-handed defensively when Manzambi finished Villa’s second goal.
Tottenham were largely responsible for Villa’s next goal, as Van Hecke could not properly handle a long pass played directly through the centre. Jackson escaped the Dutch defender before driving his shot into the ground and beyond Antonin Kinsky.
Kinsky had no chance of preventing Villa’s third goal with 11 minutes remaining. Buendia unleashed a long-range effort that found the top corner with remarkable accuracy.
Buendia’s goal was met with widespread jeers, with many Tottenham supporters leaving the stadium before the final whistle.
Those who remained, however, eventually had something to cheer about.
Persistent work from Mohammed Kudus created the opportunity for Gallagher, whose effort reached the bottom corner after coming off Cash’s extended foot.
Van Hecke then powered a header into the net from Andy Robertson’s free-kick with almost the final touch of the match.
Tottenham will now have three weeks during the international break to reflect on another defeat, with the club still sitting in the relegation places.
Villa, meanwhile, will hope this victory provides the momentum needed for a climb up the table similar to their progress last season.
Emery’s side also failed to win any of their opening five league matches last year, but eventually ended the campaign in fourth place.
