Roberto De Zerbi clarifies if Pedro Porro will return for Tottenham’s Premier League clash with Aston Villa after missing the Everton draw.
Tottenham Hotspur head coach Roberto De Zerbi has confirmed that right-back Pedro Porro will be available for selection in Spurs’ upcoming Premier League match against Aston Villa on Saturday. The Spanish defender missed Tottenham’s goalless draw against Everton at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium due to a minor fitness concern, which forced midfielder Archie Gray to deputize in defense alongside Jan Paul van Hecke and Micky van de Ven.
As reported by Last Word On Spurs on X, De Zerbi verified that Porro has recovered sufficiently to feature in the weekend fixture, delivering a welcome boost to Tottenham’s defensive unit as they seek their first league victory of the season.
Key Return Ahead of Crucial Domestic Schedule
Porro’s return comes at a vital moment for Spurs as they navigate a demanding stretch of fixtures. Having sat out the Everton match alongside left-back Destiny Udogie as a precautionary measure, the 27-year-old full-back provides critical width, overlapping runs, and crossing quality from deep positions.
In Porro’s absence, 20-year-old Archie Gray stepped in at right-back, though De Zerbi has repeatedly noted the physical strain on his squad following pre-season injury disruptions and limited rotation options. Re-integrating Porro restores natural balance to Tottenham’s defensive line and grants De Zerbi greater tactical flexibility in possession.
While Tottenham have endured a difficult start in front of goal across their opening four Premier League fixtures, their defensive core has remained compact, securing consecutive clean sheets against Nottingham Forest and Everton. Porro’s inclusion against Aston Villa will be central to maintaining that defensive solidity while adding much-needed intent down the right flank.
Following Tuesday’s midweek Carabao Cup tie against Liverpool at Anfield, Porro’s availability ensures Tottenham can field a refreshed defense on Saturday as they pursue three points at home against Unai Emery’s side.
