Paul Merson has labelled Tottenham Hotspur's Premier League clash with Aston Villa as a 'momentum swinger' for a side struggling for belief. The former England international pinpointed a lack of early goals as the core issue for a Spurs team sitting 17th in the table with just two points from four games.
Merson reflected on Tottenham's recent goalless draw with Everton at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. "The first 15, 20 minutes I thought they were outstanding," he said. He argued that failing to capitalise on such bright starts creates a negative mindset that is hard to shake. "I think they'd still be playing now, wouldn't they? That is the problem. They need to score early," Merson added.
Winless start a major concern
The analysis comes after a 3-2 home defeat to Aston Villa, a result that extended Tottenham's winless league run. They have yet to score a Premier League goal this season, having conceded five. This leaves them ten points adrift of early leaders Arsenal, their north London rivals. Tottenham's current tally of two points from a possible 12 means they are averaging just 0.5 points per game.
Merson believes the Villa game represented a critical juncture for both clubs, who were each seeking a first win. He suggested that for Tottenham, securing three points could have been the catalyst to transform their season's trajectory. Instead, the late defeat has compounded their difficulties ahead of their next fixture away at Manchester United.
Villa too good for the drop
While focusing on Spurs' troubles, Merson also addressed the visitors' situation. He dismissed any notion that Aston Villa are genuine relegation candidates, citing the quality in their squad and the prowess of their manager. He described the Villa boss as one of the best in the business, implying Tottenham's task was always a tough one.
The broader context of the Premier League title race was also on Merson's mind. He expressed strong confidence in Arsenal's ability to win the league by a significant margin, pointing to their composure in difficult away fixtures. He noted that the Gunners now play with a patience that was previously missing, and the pressure that once saw them labelled 'bottle jobs' has lifted.
For Tottenham, the immediate concern is far more basic than title talk. The need to find a winning formula is urgent, with a lengthy injury list adding to the challenge. Key attackers like Richarlison and Mykhailo Mudryk are currently sidelined, as are creative forces Xavi Simons and Sandro Tonali. The full list of unavailable players is tracked on our injuries page.
The team's recent form shows two draws and three losses in their last five outings, with consecutive defeats to Liverpool and Villa.
Read the full report at Sky Sports Football
