Maddison holds key to Spurs revival after Villa defeat

Maddison the missing piece in Spurs puzzle

In attempting to get a handle on the latest Tottenham horror show, Saturday's 3-2 home defeat by Aston Villa, Roberto De Zerbi bemoaned his side's lack of resolve in tough moments. "Leaders have to be leaders," he said.

That Spurs lack leaders is clear but the void makes itself felt not just in weak defending. A dominant first half ended goalless for Spurs because of an absence of anyone grabbing the game by the scruff of the neck.

The £50m signing Mohammed Kudus came on at half-time, but only made things worse. Only when James Maddison came on and Kudus went wide did Spurs regain shape and focus.

De Zerbi appears to be taking a cautious approach to reintegrating Maddison, who missed a year of football with an ACL injury, but the Spurs No 10 has the ability and the self-confidence to impose himself on Premier League matches. De Zerbi might need to hasten his reintroduction.