De Zerbi confirms Porro, Tonali and Maddison available as Spurs chase first Premier League goal

Roberto De Zerbi has handed Tottenham a significant pre-match boost, confirming that Pedro Porro, Sandi Tonali and James Maddison are all available for Saturday’s Premier League fixture against Aston Villa — a game Spurs desperately need to end their goalless start to the league campaign.

The trio had all been sidelined with separate fitness issues ahead of the midweek Carabao Cup third-round tie at Liverpool, which Tottenham lost 3-1 but in which they did manage to score against top-flight opposition for the first time this term. De Zerbi will hope that breakthrough translates into a first league goal against a Villa side also struggling for form.

“Porro, Tonali, and Maddison are all available to play,” De Zerbi said at his pre-match press conference on Friday. “Normally, we have to understand the situation in terms of physical condition, but all of them are ready.”

Tonali had been absent from Anfield while recovering from an unspecified knock, and Porro was also missing with a muscular problem. Maddison, meanwhile, is yet to start a match this season after sustaining a shoulder injury on the opening day at Brentford. The England midfielder is also still working his way back to full fitness following the ACL tear that ruled him out for the majority of last season.

De Zerbi was effusive about Maddison’s qualities and his commitment to his recovery. “James is working with the team the last 10, 15 days. Even if he is a technical player, he needs to be fit, to stay in good condition. When he arrives at his best condition, it’s very important for us — as a personality, as a characteristic, as a quality, as an experience. The quality of his passes are different than the others.”

The Tottenham head coach also provided an encouraging update on Dejan Kulusevski, who has not featured for the club since before their Europa League final victory 16 months ago. The Swedish winger was recently pictured in training, and De Zerbi suggested the upcoming international break could prove pivotal in his return.

“We have to manage him in the best way possible alongside our medical staff,” De Zerbi said. “It is great news for us obviously because he is a great player and a good guy. He will be like another new signing for us when he is back to his usual physical condition. He is an example for everyone.”

Tottenham head into the Villa match under pressure to show early signs of progress under their new manager, with a first Premier League goal of the season the minimum requirement their supporters will be expecting.