Tottenham showed a lack of blood and fight in their 3-2 defeat to Aston Villa on Saturday, according to Roberto De Zerbi.Spurs capitulated after falling behind to Villa on the stroke of half-time, with Conor Gallagher finally scoring their first goal of the season and Jan Paul van Hecke's adding to it only after the game was out of their reach.Johan Manzambi took full advantage of Micky van de Ven leaving the pitch for treatment by putting Villa in front in first-half stoppage time, before Nicolas Jackson and Emiliano Buendia got them out of sight in the second period.Tottenham have now lost 22 home league games since the start of 2024-25, just one fewer than in their previous four seasons combined (23).De Zerbi blasted his players for failing to remain firm with Van Hecke off the field, but acknowledged he needs to do more to turn their season around."We played very well in the first half and we created chances to score. We conceded the first two goals in ways that were not acceptable," De Zerbi told the BBC."For the first we have to communicate better, we have to stay like a family and we didn't and we conceded a stupid goal. Second goal, we have the offside decision [disallowing Spurs' goal] but the focus had to be better."We have to be stronger. We have to put on the pitch something more than we are putting. Football is tactical but it is blood, it is fighting, it is first one on the ball. Without that it is tough to win the game."As a coach I take responsibility. I can work better, harder and more. I can explain my opinion about the performance and about what we can do more. But in the end I can't change something more in the behaviour."I think we are not lucky in this period but you have to deserve luck and the positive things and we are not good enough to deserve luck in this moment."You have to ask the players [if it is good timing for the international break]. We will suffer until the next game and we will try to do better in the future."𝐅𝐓: 𝐓𝐨𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐡𝐚𝐦 𝟐-𝟑 𝐀𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐧 𝐕𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐚Spurs finally score, but Aston Villa hold on for their first win of the season despite a late wobble.Tottenham will spend the upcoming international break in the relegation zone. pic.twitter.com/wNgThhq2Be— Opta Analyst (@OptaAnalyst) September 19, 2026The upcoming international window means De Zerbi will have minimal time with much of his squad before their next match against Manchester United on October 10, but he suggested the break may do them some good."Maybe it's better. I didn't speak with the players today because I didn't want to say anything," said De Zerbi."I have nothing with them, but the players who go with the national team, they have to play and they have to work, and the other players – [James] Maddison, Gallagher, [Dominic] Solanke, Tosin [Adarabioyo], [Marcos] Senesi, Savio – for sure, we have to work more because also the physical condition, I didn't like in this game."The post Tottenham lacked blood and fight in Aston Villa defeat – De Zerbi appeared first on SoccerNews.