Pedro Porro Returns for Tottenham vs Aston Villa Clash

Pedro Porro is set to return for Tottenham’s clash with Aston Villa on Saturday, with Roberto De Zerbi insisting his misfiring side are close to finally sparking into life in the Premier League.

The Spanish full-back, described as having had a “muscular issue”, has missed Spurs’ last two matches but will be back in contention for the lunchtime kick-off in north London. His comeback arrives at a critical moment for a team still searching for their first league goal of the season.

Spurs slipped out of the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night, beaten 3-1 by Liverpool at Anfield, yet De Zerbi cut a defiant figure afterwards. The Italian is convinced the drought will not last much longer.

“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.”

One of those players is Mohammed Kudus, whose very presence changes the mood around Tottenham’s attack. The Ghana international made his first start since January at Anfield, finally back from a long-term quad injury that stalled his momentum.

De Zerbi did not hide his excitement. Kudus, he stressed, is not just another option. He is a central piece.

“Kudus is another (who is) 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 is the blueprint: wave after wave of forwards. De Zerbi even pushed the idea further, pointing out that with the right mix of midfielders and full-backs, Spurs could effectively line up with “eight attackers”.

It is an aggressive vision, and it extends to one of the club’s most gifted players, still edging his way back to full fitness.

James Maddison has not started a competitive match since May 2025 after suffering a cruciate ligament tear, a brutal injury compounded by a shoulder fracture. This season he has been limited to three substitute appearances, used carefully as he builds his way back.

De Zerbi knows exactly what Maddison brings, but he also knows the demands of this league will expose anyone short of peak condition.

“Maddison is for sure a different player, a special player,” he 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.”

Porro returning, Kudus stretching defences, Maddison edging closer to the starting XI: the pieces are falling into place. Now comes the real question for Spurs — when that long-awaited “click” finally comes, how devastating will this attack actually be?