If Tottenham’s victory at Wolves last weekend was a case of win-at-all-costs, then their first-half dismantling of Aston Villa was the result of the pressure being lifted after ending an 118 day wait for a league win.
Whereas at Molineux their play was beset by a nervous energy, with Joao Palhinha eventually breaking the deadlock in the 82nd minute, Spurs did not seem overawed by expectation at Villa Park.
Yet there were no signs that the opportunity to leapfrog West Ham into 17th place was weighing on their minds.
In the absence of Xavi Simons, much of the talk pre-game centred around how they would replace the Dutchman’s creativity.
But after just 25 minutes those questions had been answered as Spurs’ intensity saw them race into a two-goal lead.
An industrious and incisive performance was too much for Villa to handle, with Spurs picking up every loose ball before taking the lead inside 12 minutes when Conor Gallagher fired in from the edge of the box.
Roberto De Zerbi has taken Gallagher under his wing, insistent that he can help the English midfielder rediscover his best form after a difficult start to life in north London.
So glowing was Gallagher in his appraisal of De Zerbi at the full-time whistle, you almost felt he was going to hand over his man-of-the-match award to the Italian coach.
De Zerbi has worked tirelessly to find a midfield combination that can press high but also drop in and defend their own box. It’s why he will have been so impressed by what he saw from his team in both halves.
Spurs swarmed over Villa in the first-half and got the goals to show for their performance before weathering an admittedly tepid response from Unai Emery’s side after half-time.
De Zerbi has restored belief, his confidence is infectious and Spurs’ squad have responded.
Since taking charge a month ago, De Zerbi has spoken with the authority that Igor Tudor and Thomas Frank before him lacked.
His assertiveness and optimism has changed the tone around the club. But it is clear it is not unfounded. He has staunchly defended the ability and attitude and his faith has been repaid.
With three games to go, De Zerbi knows Spurs are not out of the woods yet. But they have put themselves in the driving seat and have momentum behind them at a crucial time.
