ASTON VILLA BEAT TOTTENHAM 3-2 IN PREMIER LEAGUE

Tottenham Hotspur lost 3-2 at home to Aston Villa in the Premier League, leaving them without a win from their opening fixtures and on two points as the division entered a three-week international break. Manager Roberto De Zerbi said he was "very disappointed, sad and frustrated" with the performance, adding "we can't lose the game in this way." He went straight down the tunnel at full time and was booed by supporters. Aston Villa manager Unai Emery said his side had claimed their first Premier League win of the season by playing with "resilience" and "passion," adding "the players did well because they believed."

Villa took the lead before half-time through Johan Manzambi, who converted from close range after Boubacar Kamara's shot fell to him, with John McGinn having pounced on an error by Andy Robertson to create the chance. Tottenham had a goal by Mohammed Kudus ruled out for offside against Robertson in the build-up. Nicolas Jackson then doubled Villa's lead in the 67th minute, latching onto a long clearance from goalkeeper Zion Suzuki to beat Antonin Kinsky. De Zerbi said his side had prepared for Villa's increased use of long balls this season but "switched off" at the crucial moment, and said Kudus, introduced from the bench, had disrupted his team's balance. He compared the result to an earlier home defeat by Newcastle United, when Tottenham also played well in the first half before losing.

The defeat added to pressure on De Zerbi following a reported £320 million in summer signings at Tottenham, according to one report. One assessment described Tottenham's form as "fragile," with no clear sign of recovery. De Zerbi said the squad could not "say everything is bad, but it is not enough," and that players away on international duty needed to work harder. He said he had deliberately not spoken to his players before they left to represent their countries. Emery said the win reflected the defensive resilience and attacking passion he has sought to build into his Villa squad.