Tottenham Hotspur's difficult start to the Premier League season deepened on Saturday when Aston Villa defeated them 3-2 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, leaving Roberto De Zerbi's side rooted in the relegation zone heading into the international break.

Villa, who arrived in north London without a win themselves, took the points thanks to strikes from Johan Manzambi, Nicolas Jackson, and Emi Buendia — giving the club their first victory of the campaign.

Manzambi opens the floodgates

Johan Manzambi struck four minutes after half-time to break the deadlock, and Villa never looked back. Nicolas Jackson doubled the advantage in the 67th minute before Emi Buendia added a third in the 79th minute to put the visitors firmly in control.

Too little, too late for Spurs

Tottenham managed to pull two goals back in the closing stages. Conor Gallagher — in the process registering Spurs' first Premier League goal of the season — reduced the deficit in the 86th minute, and Jan Paul van Hecke headed home in the 98th minute. But the comeback fell short, and Villa held on for all three points.

De Zerbi under mounting pressure

The defeat leaves Tottenham without a win from their opening five Premier League fixtures of the 2026/27 season. The situation is compounded by a troubling home record — De Zerbi's side have won only five of their last 36 matches at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

With the international break now upon them, De Zerbi faces a difficult fortnight as questions grow over the direction of his expensively assembled squad. Villa, meanwhile, will welcome the confidence boost of securing their first win after an equally difficult opening run.