Roberto de Zerbi refuses to SPEAK to Tottenham flops after Aston Villa loss as winless start continues

ROBERTO DE ZERBI refused to speak to his “fragile” Tottenham flops after their latest home horrorshow. Fans walked out when Spurs went 3-0 down thanks to goals from Johan Manzambi in first-half stoppage time plus strikes after the break from Nicolas Jackson and Emi Buendia. Tottenham Boss Roberto De Zerbi refused to speak to his ‘fragile’ players Credit: Shutterstock Editorial Tottenham’s winless streak in the Premier League has been extended to five matches Credit: Getty Images – Getty It took their miserable record to just three Premier League wins in their 25 on home soil – including none in three this season. At least the North Londoners ended their four-game Prem goal drought through late consolations from Conor Gallagher and Jan Paul van Hecke. Sign up for the Football newsletter Thank you! But it left fans worried their side will become embroiled in another relegation battle after last season’s narrow escape. De Zerbi said: “We played well in the first half, we didn’t score, but [we were] too fragile. “If you didn’t score, it’s my responsibility. I take my responsibility. We are going to work harder. Football is like life, either you are stronger or you lose. “Today I was very disappointed, very sad, very frustrated for the performance. “Because we can’t lose this game, in this way, absolutely. We can’t concede the second goal. We can’t lose balance, just because in the first half we are losing.” De Zerbi repeated the excuse about the players’ poor “physical condition” that he has used many times already this season during the bad start. Most read in Football SUN VEGAS WELCOME OFFER: GET UP TO £100 BONUS De Zerbi repeated the excuse about the players’ poor ‘physical condition’ Credit: Shutterstock Editorial He will now not see many of his players as they head off for a three-week international break. Yet the Italian said: “Maybe it’s better. I didn’t speak with the players today because I didn’t want to say anything. “I have nothing with them, but the players who go with the national team, they have to play and they have to work, and the other players — [James] Maddison, Gallagher, [Dominic] Solanke, Tosin [Adarabioyo], [Marcos] Senesi, Savio — for sure, we have to work more because also the physical condition, I didn’t like even this game.” The win was the first for Villa in the Premier League this term, giving Unai Emery’s new-look side a much-needed boost. Goalkeeper Zion Suzuki made a number of key saves while Jackson looked a constant threat up top against Tottenham. Emery said: “Zion is very, very good. Nicolas Jackson is fantastic. But every player needs to understand how we can feel better collectively and how they can help us with their qualities. “We are in the process and today we did one clear step forward improving it. “Of course because Zion is keeping his performance like he did before. Jackson improved clearly his performance compared to matches before. This is the way forward.” Comment now