A 'smart' press and visible confidence - De Zerbi so far
[Getty Images] Roberto de Zerbi took over a Tottenham side struggling for form, confidence and with a series of key players out injured. But he has already drilled into his side a set of principles that echo what he has done at previous jobs - albeit adapting them to the quality of his players. Spurs play short from their keeper but are more willing to go long to a target man in Richarlison than De Zerbi's Brighton were.
Given the impressive physicality of the Spurs squad, utilising a high press as a method of chance creation has been smart too. Igor Tudor looked to take a similar albeit less coordinated approach out of possession, but De Zerbi has built on that - not defending man-to-man across the pitch but instead asking his side to pick moments in which to win the ball back. None of these tactics however are possible without a squad that believes in the message the coach is relaying.
In his news conferences so far, De Zerbi has been focused on one idea - that Spurs must believe in themselves, and shake off any negativity, if they are to be a Premier League side next season. Their performance against Villa will have certainly helped. Read a tactical breakdown from Umir