Spurs had gone into the match without a win or a goal in the league this season, but they started brightly and created several chances. Sávio twice went close in the opening stages, only for Zion Suzuki to produce excellent saves.

Suzuki was again called into action when Archie Gray was denied, while the Villa goalkeeper also beat away a powerful Sávio volley from the edge of the area.

Villa survived the pressure and began to threaten themselves. Emiliano Buendía forced Antonín Kinský into a save before Nicolas Jackson sent an effort narrowly wide. Tottenham responded when Sandro Tonali's long-range strike flew just off target.

However, Spurs' problems returned just before half-time when Boubacar Kamara's shot was turned into the net from close range by Johan Manzambi, leaving the hosts trailing at the break.

De Zerbi responded by introducing Mohamed Kudus at half-time, but Tottenham continued to struggle to turn their possession into goals.

Kinský kept Spurs in the game shortly after the restart when he made a crucial one-on-one save from Jackson.

Tottenham thought they had finally ended their wait for a goal when Kudus found the net, but the effort was ruled out after Andy Robertson was judged to have been offside in the build-up.

Villa then struck again against the run of play. Jackson punished Spurs by squeezing his shot into the bottom corner, with Kinský getting a hand to the effort but unable to keep it out.

Buendía put the result beyond Tottenham's reach 11 minutes from time with a spectacular 25-yard strike into the top corner. The goal was followed by boos from the home supporters, with many fans leaving before the final whistle.

Spurs finally scored in the closing stages when Conor Gallagher's effort deflected in off Matty Cash.

Jan Paul van Hecke then headed home with virtually the last kick of the match, but Tottenham could not complete an unlikely comeback.

The result leaves De Zerbi facing a difficult three-week international break, with Tottenham still searching for their first league win and now under mounting pressure to turn their season around.

Dates and times for CAF Champions League semi-finals confirmed