Antonio Conte - players.bio

Conte argues Spurs lumbered with unrealistic expectations after loss to Villa

Antonio Conte has cast doubt over Tottenham's Premier League top-four hopes and tried to address unrealistic expectations after his side were booed off following a damaging 2-0 home defeat to Aston Villa. Second-half goals from Emiliano Buendia and Douglas Luiz gave the visitors all three points to make it a sorry start to the new year for Spurs. Tottenham conceded first for the 10th fixture in a row and have dropped to fifth in the table following Manchester United's win at Wolves. Even though Conte guided the club into the Champions League last season, he described that achievement as a "miracle" and insisted he will continue to be realistic with the club. "I know what is the reality because I am the coach," he said. "The club knows very well what are my thoughts on the situation. The situation was very clear. I continue to work and to improve and to help you to improve the club, to create a solid foundation and then to develop. "You have to know that there are clubs who can invest £200m or £300m and others with different policies and I repeat you have to respect the policy. "The policy has to be very clear with all people otherwise we created a situation that's not positive for the environment to create expectations that are not realistic, honestly. "I was expecting this moment. Now we have to start to fight strong, because the situation in this league you can slip quickly. "If you ask me if I'm scared, I'm not scared. I believe in my work, I believe in these players, but don't ask me for things I cannot promise you." Conte arrived at Spurs last November and, despite an inconsistent opening few months, managed to help them overturn Arsenal in the race for the top four last season.

Aston Villa punish Hugo Lloris mistake to shock Spurs

LONDON: Antonio Conte admitted Tottenham face a fight to finish in the Premier League’s top four after a costly mistake from Hugo Lloris condemned the north Londoners to a damaging 2-0 defeat against Aston Villa on Sunday.Playing for the first time since France’s World Cup final defeat against Argentina, Tottenham goalkeeper Lloris weakly spilled Douglas Luiz’s shot early in the second half and Emiliano Buendia pounced to put Villa ahead.Lloris was left on the bench for Tottenham’s draw against Brentford on December 26 as he rested after France’s agonizing final loss in Qatar.The 36-year-old, who conceded three times against Argentina before France lost on penalties, might have wished he had been given longer to recover after his blunder against Villa.Brazilian midfielder Luiz added Villa’s second goal in the closing stages, leaving Conte’s side to endure jeers from frustrated fans at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.Tottenham had hoped the first Premier League match of 2023 would serve to kick-start their bid to qualify for next season’s Champions League via a top four finish.Instead, they suffered a New Year’s Day hangover as mid-table Villa punished a lethargic display.Fifth placed Tottenham have failed to win both of their matches since the World Cup break, a dip in form which has allowed fourth placed Manchester United to climb two points above them.“We understand very well that the league will be really difficult for us,” Conte said.“I want to be honest, I want to be very clear. I have said this to the club, I have said my opinions.“The fans deserve the best.