Tottenham: Roberto De Zerbi ‘proud’ to win at Aston Villa but warns ‘don’t forget the situation we were in’ | Soccer News

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

After losing to Sunderland in their first game in charge on 12 April and then drawing 2-2 with former club Brighton six days later, ahead of the trip to Wolves on 25 April, the north London club were 18th in the Premier League table, two points from safety.

But after beating the division’s bottom, then-Champions League-chasing Villa, Spurs didn’t just won rugby league games for the first time since the first two games of the seasonbut leapfrogged the Hammers to 17th with three games remaining.

Talk to TNT Sports After the final whistle at Villa Park, De Zerbi said: “We played against Aston Villa and Aston Villa are a very good team, with 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 am happy with this performance from my players. I know how much they have suffered this season and for that I am very proud. The only bad thing on the pitch was the goal we conceded.

“It’s not over yet, the season. We still have three games to play, very tough games, starting (next) Monday night with Leeds.

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

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“We cannot forget what the situation was before Wolverhampton – and before that it was a very sad situation.

“These memories must remain in our heads every day, especially this week after this victory.”

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

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

“Then the possession, because we played very, very well, with composure. When we needed to attack the space or to go shoot, we did. When we needed to keep the ball, we did.

“I love playing football. Especially when 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.”

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

“When Conor Gallagher played well, we played with 12 players,” said De Zerbi. “He’s a great player.

“Today also, Randal Kolo Muani and Mathys Tel, they played a fantastic game. Joao Palhinha and (Rodrigo) Bentancur were incredible. The two centers, with the ball and without the ball. I am very satisfied.”

Gallagher: Hopefully this is just the beginning

Tottenham’s Conor Gallagher talks to TNT Sports:

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

“Everything we did in the week leading up to the game showed us tonight and we are really pleased with the performance and three points.

“It was a perfect night but hopefully it’s just the beginning. We want to keep it going for the last few games of the season.

“It’s massive for us and hopefully our confidence can start to grow and we can keep playing games like that.”

“I can’t speak highly enough of him (De Zerbi). He was so good.

“Every player in the team has taken him, everyone trusts him, he makes you feel good, confident, he brings the best out of players and this is just the beginning.

“Hopefully we can continue to learn from him and build a great team.”