Roberto de Zerbi walked into a Tottenham side that was low on confidence, out of form, and missing several key players through injury. It was a tough assignment for any manager, but the Italian tactician has wasted no time in stamping his authority on the squad.

Drawing from his successful spells at previous clubs, de Zerbi has implemented a clear set of principles—though he's smartly adapted them to suit the strengths of his current players. While his Brighton side were known for building patiently from the back, Spurs are showing more willingness to go long, targeting Richarlison as a physical outlet up front.

One of the most noticeable changes has been the team's approach to pressing. Given the impressive physicality within the Spurs squad, de Zerbi has introduced a high press as a key method of creating chances—a tactical shift that's proving both effective and intelligent. Unlike predecessor Igor Tudor's less coordinated man-to-man approach, de Zerbi asks his players to pick their moments to win the ball back, making the press more structured and sustainable.

But tactics alone aren't enough. A system only works when the squad believes in the message, and that's where de Zerbi's focus has been sharpest. In his press conferences, he has consistently hammered home one idea: Spurs must believe in themselves and shake off any lingering negativity if they're to compete as a Premier League side next season.

Their performance against Villa was a clear step in the right direction—a display of visible confidence that suggests de Zerbi's message is finally getting through. For a squad that looked lost just weeks ago, that's no small achievement.