Roberto De Zerbi couldn't hide his excitement after Tottenham Hotspur's Conor Gallagher delivered a performance that made it feel like the team had an extra man on the pitch. The Spurs boss likened the midfielder's impact to playing with "12 players" following a standout display in Sunday's 2-1 victory over Aston Villa.

Gallagher, who joined Spurs in January, finally found his stride at Villa Park. The England international opened his scoring account for the club with a stunning low strike from distance, capping off a dominant midfield performance that helped secure a second consecutive Premier League win. The result was crucial—it lifted Spurs out of the relegation zone, leaving them just one point above West Ham with survival now firmly in their own hands.

De Zerbi had previously challenged Gallagher to replicate the form he showed at Chelsea, and the midfielder answered emphatically. "When Gallagher plays like this, we play with 12 players," De Zerbi said in his post-match press conference. "You can find him as a striker, as a midfielder, as a full-back—everywhere on the pitch. Great player, great passion, great qualities."

The Italian manager was particularly impressed with how his midfield trio of Gallagher, Rodrigo Bentancur, and Joao Palhinha controlled the game, both with and without the ball. He emphasized that his role is to restore belief in a talented squad that has struggled this season. "They played an amazing game," De Zerbi added, noting the depth of his roster with players like Xavi Simons, Solanke, Kolo Muani, Mathys Tel, and Richarlison all contributing in different ways.

For Spurs fans, Gallagher's breakthrough performance signals a turning point—not just for the midfielder, but for a team fighting to secure their Premier League status. With injuries finally clearing up, De Zerbi's squad is looking stronger than ever.