Tottenham Hotspur travel to Aston Villa for a Premier League clash that could help the North London side climb out of the relegation zone.
However, Spurs must prevail and hope that West Ham United slip up against Brentford to have any hope of escaping the drop zone.
There is no doubt that the club are in dire straits, but they did pick up their first of 2026 against Wolves last week as confidence slowly grows in the side.
With just 4 matches remaining, De Zerbi’s side must win, and he admits that James Maddison could be key to turning the season around.
The England midfielder is training “very well” according to De Zerbi as he waits for his first competitive appearance of the campaign.
Maddison returned to the bench in recent weeks as he reaches the final stages of his recovery from an ACL injury. De Zerbi says he would love to work with the 29-year-old.
“I don't know, I would like to play with him, because he's a special player, he's a different player, but we have to consider the physical condition, a lot of things. But I think he can be important in the next three games.”
Tottenham have won two of their past four Premier League matches against the West Midlands side and supporters will be in full voice at Villa Park to try and push their side away from falling into the Championship.