Spurs are still without a win this season with Villa securing their first of the campaign. Unai Emery’s side led 3-0 in north London with Tottenham scoring their first goals of the season through Conor Gallagher and Jan van Hecke but the late flurry came too little too late.
Fernandes, an £85million signing from West Ham United during the summer transfer window, started the game on Saturday afternoon but was replaced at half-time by Mohammed Kudus.
Spurs trailed by a single goal scored in added time at the end of the half when Fernandes was replaced, conceding another two with him off the pitch.
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Speaking after the game, De Zerbi defended his decision, insisting he ‘needed more’ from the former Hammers star.
Asked if Spurs lost something in midfield with Fernandes off the pitch, De Zerbi said: ‘It’s not just that problem. In the second-half we lost balance because we were losing and we forced the pass, we forced the situation and they were winning the ball.
‘They played more on counter attack. Mateus is different to Kudus, I have big confidence in Mateus but I did not like the performance of Mateus today.
Fernandes was hooked at half-time (Picture: Action Images via Reuters)
‘It’s not an attack of him, I love him, but for Mateus, we need more from Mateus in that position.’
Fernandes cost £85m this summer (Picture: Hotspur FC/Shutterstock)
‘Technical decision,’ De Zerbi said, explaining the Frenchman’s omission.
‘He was in the stands, because I think during the game, Maddison and Kudus, they had more chances to change the game, and then two centre-backs, important, also the two full-backs, have a look for Pedro Porro, with Archie Grey, and the two central midfielders.
‘But I explained why to Mathys yesterday. It was no problem. He was very nice and he understood the reason, but nothing more, and also he played more than the others.’
