Premier League: Tottenham’s Conte blasts crazy expectations after humiliating defeat by Aston Villa
- Tottenham booed off after barely managing a shot at goal in 2-0 defeat to Aston Villa
- Antonio Conte calls last season’s performance ‘a miracle’, says needs to strengthen squad
Tottenham Hotspur manager Antonio Conte claims last year’s top-four finish in the Premier League was “a miracle” and said pre-season expectations of a title tilt were ludicrous.
Speaking after Sunday’s dismal 2-0 defeat by Aston Villa left his side in fifth place, 13 points behind leaders Arsenal, the Italian offered a dose of harsh reality.
Conte’s side has now conceded first in its past 10 matches, and have now won just twice in the club’s last seven games.
Emiliano Buendia took advantage of an error by Hugo Lloris in the Spurs goal to open the scoring at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Douglas Luiz doubled the advantage to secure a second consecutive away league victory for midtable Villa, who won three of their last four league games.
“Last season we made a miracle,” Conte, who took charge in November 2021 and rejuvenated the team, said.
“Because we played only one competition, and we played with 12 or 13 players and they didn’t have injuries in the last 15 games, we played with our best players every game because, I repeat, we played only the league.