Roberto De Zerbi hopeful of Tottenham injury boost as star back in training ahead of Aston Villa clash

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·1. Mai 2026

Roberto De Zerbi hopeful of Tottenham injury boost as star back in training ahead of Aston Villa clash

Key midfielder set to aid relegation scrap

Roberto De Zerbi said Pape Matar Sarr is available to start against Aston Villa on Sunday, though he is yet to pick his starting lineup.

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Spurs can drag themselves out of the relegation zone with a win at Villa Park, pending the result of West Ham’s derby clash with Brentford.

Sarr has been not appeared for Tottenham since the 1-0 defeat by Sunderland on De Zerbi’s debut with the club. He has since been sidelined with a shoulder injury.

De Zerbi revealed on Friday, though, that he has returned to full first-team training and could be in from the off as injury-ravaged Spurs chase a vital three points.

“Today was the first day with the group but he worked very well,” the Italian explained to reporters assembled at Hotspur Way. “He’s available, yes. I have not decided yet the starting XI.”

He continued, reiterating his previous declaration that Tottenham are more than capable of winning their remaining Premier League fixtures and staying afloat in the top flight.

Comeback trail: Pape Matar Sarr

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Provided, that is, they take the run-in one game at a time.

De Zerbi added: “We think about Villa and then we go to speak about the other three games. I don’t know, if we win, yes, not now, we can’t think if we play before or after. It can be negative or it can be positive to give some more energy.

“With my eyes I can reach the head of the players. Nothing different. I can't change my face or myself depending on who is in front of me. Clear, honest and what I feel I say.”

After facing Villa on Sunday, Tottenham will turn their attention to hosting Daniel Farke’s Leeds, who now sit nine points clear of the drop zone after beating Burnley on Friday night.