Pedro Porro Set to Return for Tottenham Against Aston Villa

Pedro Porro will be back for Tottenham this weekend – and Roberto De Zerbi is convinced the breakthrough is coming.

The Spaniard, who has missed Spurs’ last two matches with what the club described as a muscular issue, is set to return for Saturday’s lunchtime Premier League clash with Aston Villa in north London. His comeback arrives at a tense moment: Tottenham are still hunting their first league goal of the season.

De Zerbi watched his side lose 3-1 at Liverpool in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night, but he refused to sound alarmed. Instead, he doubled down.

“I believe in my players, I have a big confidence, a big opinion of my players,” he said. “And when we arrive to find the click, to win a game, I think we enjoy with these players.”

That “click” has become the theme of Tottenham’s stuttering start. The performances have carried flashes of De Zerbi’s aggressive attacking blueprint, but the final touch has deserted them. The Italian is adamant that once the first win comes, the football will flow.

One reason for his optimism: Mohammed Kudus.

The Ghana international, finally fit after a long-term quad injury suffered in January, made his first Tottenham start at Anfield. It was a significant step for a player De Zerbi clearly views as central to his plans.

“Kudus is another great news for us, because he can play also as a number 10,” De Zerbi said. “We can play with Savio, Kudus, (Dominic) Solanke and (Omar) Marmoush.”

That list underlines his intent. De Zerbi wants numbers high up the pitch, combinations everywhere, pressure from all angles. With his wide players, forwards and attack-minded midfielders, he believes Spurs can effectively line up with “eight attackers”.

The idea is bold. The fitness of his creative core will decide whether it works.

James Maddison sits right at the heart of that equation. The England international has not started a competitive game since May 2025 after a cruciate ligament tear, and has also had to contend with a shoulder fracture. This season he has been eased back with three substitute appearances.

“Maddison is for sure a different player, a special player,” De Zerbi said. “But he has to be fit, he has to be in the right physical condition, because the Premier League intensity, even tonight, is incredible. And then we can play with eight attackers.”

The message is clear: once Maddison is fully sharp, De Zerbi will not hesitate to unleash him alongside Kudus, Porro and the rest of his attacking cast.

For now, the table shows a team without a league goal. The touchline shows a coach who still wants one more forward on the pitch. Against Aston Villa, something has to give – the drought, or the daring.