Five games. Two goals. Two points. Tottenham Hotspur’s 2026/27 Premier League season has been a slog from the first whistle. Saturday’s 3-2 home defeat to Aston Villa dropped Spurs into the relegation zone ahead of the international break. So, why are Tottenham so bad right now? The answer blends wasteful finishing, costly defensive errors and a side low on belief. This breakdown covers the numbers, the key moments and what comes next for Roberto De Zerbi’s team.
Why Are Tottenham So Bad? The Short Answer
Tottenham are struggling because they create chances but rarely finish them, then concede at the worst moments.
The Villa game summed it up perfectly. Spurs enjoyed 63% possession and fired 18 shots, with eight on target. Villa goalkeeper Zion Suzuki made four saves in the opening 20 minutes alone. Still, Spurs trailed 3-0 until the 86th minute. Chance creation is not the issue. Converting those chances is.
How Many Goals Have Tottenham Scored This Season?
Tottenham have scored just two Premier League goals in five matches, and both came late against Aston Villa.
Spurs failed to score in any of their first four league games. Conor Gallagher and Jan Paul van Hecke finally ended the wait on Saturday. How many Tottenham goals this season have come from the strikers? None so far. A midfielder and a centre-back have done all the scoring.
Is This Tottenham’s Worst Start to a Season?
Yes. Two points and a goal difference of -6 is Spurs’ worst-ever start to a Premier League campaign.
Sky Sports reports that it eclipses the grim 2008-09 opening. That start also brought two points, but a goal difference of only -3. Tottenham changed managers that autumn and recovered to finish in the top half. Fans now wait to see whether De Zerbi can spark a similar turnaround.
The Tottenham Goal Drought That Defined the Opening Month
The warning signs came early. Here is how the first five league games unfolded:
- Brentford 3-0 Tottenham
- Tottenham 0-2 Newcastle
- Nottingham Forest 0-0 Tottenham
- Tottenham 0-0 Everton
- Tottenham 2-3 Aston Villa
Early on, the defence was not the main issue. Spurs kept clean sheets against Nottingham Forest and Everton. The attack simply produced nothing. ESPN clocked the season-opening scoring drought at 485 minutes. It also ended a wait of 118 days for a Premier League goal, stretching back to last season.
Tottenham First Goal of the Season: How It Finally Arrived
In the 86th minute, Gallagher turned home a pass from Mohammed Kudus. His scuffed effort deflected off Villa defender Matty Cash on its way in. Only a handful of home fans remained to celebrate. Van Hecke then headed in an Andy Robertson free-kick deep into stoppage time. The late consolation goals brought little joy. The damage was already done.
How Tottenham vs Aston Villa 2-3 Deepened the Crisis
The afternoon started brightly for the hosts. Spurs pressed high and pinned Villa back for the opening 25 minutes. Pedro Porro tried his luck from distance. Then one moment changed everything.
Captain Micky van de Ven was off the pitch for treatment after a blow to the face from Tyrone Mings. In that spell, Robertson’s attempt to keep the ball in play gifted it to John McGinn. McGinn’s cutback found Boubacar Kamara, and Johan Manzambi turned the shot in. The goal landed right on half-time. It was a cruel sucker punch.
Spurs thought they had drawn level around the hour mark. Sandro Tonali sent Robertson clear, and Kudus poked in the cross, but VAR ruled it offside. Villa made them pay. A long ball sparked a quick counter-attack, and Nicolas Jackson finished into the corner. Emiliano Buendia then curled in a superb long-range third in the 79th minute.
The away end responded with chants predicting De Zerbi’s sacking. For Unai Emery’s side, it was a first league win of the campaign.
Why Are Tottenham So Bad in Front of Goal?
Poor finishing sits at the heart of the Tottenham attack problems. The chances arrive. The composure does not.
Zero Solanke goals through five games tells part of the story. Dominic Solanke missed a chance just before being replaced by James Maddison. Savinho also forced two saves from Suzuki in quick succession. Fans hoped a Marmoush Tottenham partnership with Solanke would click quickly. So far, it has not.
Whatever the expected goals (xG) models say, 18 shots for two goals is a blunt return. Clinical teams turn pressure into goals. Spurs turn it into corners, and they won 11 against Villa.
Defensive Errors Keep Costing Them
The other half of the problem sits at the back. Spurs have now conceded eight goals in five games. Individual mistakes keep handing opponents easy openings.
Falling behind has become a disaster. ESPN notes Spurs are winless in their last 48 games across all competitions after conceding first. That run stretches back to November 2024. Once Tottenham go behind, belief seems to drain away.
Tottenham Premier League Table Position After Five Games
Spurs sit in the relegation zone, deep in the bottom half, on two points. Their goal difference stands at -6. Villa’s win moved them up to four points. Check the official Premier League table for the latest standings.
Home form is a major worry too. Tottenham have won only five of their last 36 matches at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The ground should feel like a fortress. Right now, visitors arrive full of confidence.
The Tottenham struggles 2026/27 has produced did not begin this summer. Spurs have collected just 18 points from 25 league games in the 2026 calendar year. Last May, they were still battling to climb out of the bottom three under De Zerbi. Anyone asking why are Tottenham so bad should start there. This is a long slump, not a sudden dip.
Key Facts and Figures at a Glance
| Stat | Figure |
|---|---|
| League record | P5 W0 D2 L3 |
| Goals scored | 2 |
| Goals conceded | 8 |
| Goal difference | -6 |
| Points | 2 |
| Clean sheets | 2 |
| Season-opening scoring drought | 485 minutes (ESPN) |
| Possession vs Villa | 63% |
| Shots vs Villa | 18 (8 on target) |
| Home wins in last 36 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium | 5 (Sky Sports) |
Want the full picture as the season unfolds? Bookmark this page and follow our Tottenham coverage for updates after every match.
What Tottenham Need to Fix Before the Crisis Deepens
The international break gives De Zerbi two weeks to reset. These five areas will likely decide whether Spurs recover.
Sharpen the Finishing
Spurs do not need more chances. They need better ones, taken with calmer heads. More shots from inside the box would be a good start.
Stop Conceding First
The 48-game run shows how fragile this side becomes when behind. Sharper concentration before half-time is vital. Manzambi’s opener arrived at the worst possible moment.
Lean on Set Pieces
Van Hecke’s header came from a Robertson free-kick. With 11 corners in one match, set pieces are an obvious weapon. Better delivery could unlock tight games.
Build a Settled Front Line
Solanke, Savinho and Kudus need time to build an understanding. A consistent attacking unit could turn half-chances into goals.
Restore Belief at Home
Many fans left early on Saturday. One home win could change the mood inside the stadium. Fix these five areas, and the question of why are Tottenham so bad could fade fast.
Tottenham Next Match: Man Utd vs Tottenham
Spurs return after the break with a trip to Old Trafford on Saturday, 10 October. Man Utd vs Tottenham kicks off at 5:30pm UK time. It is a tough test for a side without a win. Our Manchester United 2026/27 season guide covers what Spurs will face. Still, an open game could suit Spurs’ runners better than facing a deep defence. Home fixtures against Coventry City and a trip to Chelsea follow later in October.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who scored for Tottenham against Aston Villa?
Conor Gallagher and Jan Paul van Hecke scored for Spurs. Gallagher’s 86th-minute shot deflected in off Matty Cash. Van Hecke headed home a free-kick in stoppage time.
Who scored for Aston Villa against Tottenham?
Johan Manzambi, Nicolas Jackson and Emiliano Buendia scored for Villa. Manzambi struck on half-time, Jackson in the 67th minute and Buendia in the 79th.
Are Tottenham in a relegation battle?
Right now, yes. Spurs sit in the relegation zone after five games. It is early, but last season’s survival fight has made fans nervous.
Is Roberto De Zerbi under pressure?
Yes, the pressure is building. Former Spurs defender Michael Dawson said on Soccer Saturday that the heat is rising. A record-low start leaves De Zerbi little margin for error.
How did Aston Villa beat Tottenham with less possession?
Villa won by being clinical. They had just 37% of the ball and six shots on target, yet scored three times. Tottenham vs Aston Villa 2-3 was a lesson in efficiency over control.
When is Tottenham’s next game?
Tottenham play Manchester United away on 10 October, after the international break.
Final Thoughts
This Tottenham goal drought may be over, but the deeper issues remain. Spurs dominate the ball without hurting teams. They concede soft goals and crumble when behind. Their winless start at home offers no comfort either.
So, why are Tottenham so bad? It comes down to finishing, fragility and fading belief. The break offers a rare chance to fix all three. Old Trafford will reveal whether De Zerbi has found answers.