Tottenham's miserable start to the season showed no signs of easing as Aston Villa romped to a 3-2 win at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday, a result that leaves Spurs bottom of the table despite spending over £300m in the summer.

Goals from Johan Manzambi, Nicolas Jackson and Emiliano Buendia turned the game on its head after Spurs had shown positive signs in the first half, with Conor Gallagher and Jan Paul van Hecke scoring in a late rally that ultimately proved too little, too late for the hosts.

It's now their worst start to a Premier League campaign since 2008-09, and Roberto De Zerbi didn't try to sugarcoat it afterwards.

"Today I was very disappointed, very sad, very frustrated for the performance, because we can't lose this game in this way, absolutely," the Italian said. "We can't concede the second goal. We can't lose balance just because in the first half we are losing.

"In the beginning of the second half, I spoke with the four attackers to use the head, calm. It was minute 51. The whole second half calm, play, enjoy and don't take risks. We take space or when we go in the last third with more attention, but the goal we conceded, the second goal, was incredible."

With the international break now upon us, De Zerbi conceded the timing might actually work in his favour.

"Maybe it is better. I didn't speak with the players today because I didn't want to say nothing," he admitted. "No, I have nothing with them, but the players who go with the national team, they have to play and work. The other players, Maddison Gallagher, Solanke, Tosin, Senesi, Savio, for sure we have to work more, because also the physical condition, I didn't like even this game."

One of the issues Spurs will be keen to resolve over the coming weeks is the ongoing saga surrounding Richarlison. The Brazilian has been frozen out at the club, with De Zerbi previously confirming he won't feature again even when available after attempts to engineer a move to Trabzonspor and Vasco da Gama both collapsed.

Alasdair Gold has provided the latest twist on the striker's future, revealing there is interest from the UAE but Richarlison does not want to make the move at present.

With the Gulf state's transfer window closing next Monday and his contract expiring in 2027, Tottenham have just seven days to finalise an agreement or watch their last chance to recoup a decent fee for the 29 year-old evaporate.

It's hard to comprehend what Richarlison actually wants at this point, with the former Everton man seemingly dead set on leaving North London, but only on his terms.

And he isn't the only attacker finding himself out in the cold at present. Mathys Tel wasn't included in the squad at all for the Villa game following what appeared to be a spat on the pitch with De Zerbi following the draw against Everton.

Asked directly about the decision to leave the Frenchman out, De Zerbi explained: "The technical decision (he) was in the stand, because I think during the game, Maddison and Kudus, they had more chance to change the game.

"Then two central backs, important. Also the two full-backs. Have a look for Pedro Porro, and the two central midfielders. I explained why to Mathys yesterday. He was very nice and he understood the reason, but nothing more. Also, he's played more than the others."

With Richarlison drifting toward an exit and Tel now seemingly out of favour too, De Zerbi's attacking options look increasingly threadbare heading into the break.