It has been a miserable start to the season for Tottenham Hotspur, as Roberto De Zerbi's side head into the international break bottom of the Premier League table.

Aston Villa's 3-2 win in north London left the manager baffled by how the game unfolded. "It's difficult to describe this game, no? In the first half, we played very well, another time we created more chances," he told SPURSPLAY.

"In the second half, after we scored in the offside, we conceded another unacceptable goal from a goal kick. The last situation was very clear. We knew before the game that (Zion) Suzuki, the goalkeeper, is very good in the long ball. We knew Aston Villa changed their style of play this season with the long ball. We knew everything.

De Zerbi's job is believed to be safe for now, and Spurs are not expected to make a change during the break. However, pressure is building, and there is little margin for error when football returns - Spurs' first game back is a trip to Manchester United, where Michael Carrick's own position is also under scrutiny, so a defeat for either side could prove decisive.

Former Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna has been linked with both jobs at various points in recent years, and he spent time as a youth coach at Spurs earlier in his career.

We revealed earlier this week that the 40-year-old is happy to wait for the right project rather than take a lesser role, having been sounded out by Celtic as a possible replacement for Martin O'Neill, and believes the next step in his career will be to a big six job.

In truth, the last thing De Zerbi needs right now is the international break, a three-week period for managers to sweat on the fitness and form of players in situations they have no control over.

Tottenham star withdraws from international duty

On that front, at least, one of his key attackers will be staying put. Mohammed Kudus was originally named in Carlos Queiroz's Ghana squad, but pulled out so he could complete his recovery at Spurs, prompting mass hysteria from the media in his homeland.

The 26-year-old missed 177 days with a hamstring injury last season and has played just 198 minutes so far this term, but with Manchester City's Antoine Semenyo and Sheffield United's Jordan Ayew also dropping out, there has been speculation in Ghana that the players had neglected to themselves available.

GFA executive council member Frederick Acheampong dismissed that idea when speaking to Kessben FM, as relayed by Sport Witness.

"There have been a lot of conspiracy theories and speculations about the withdrawal of the Black Stars players," he said. "Kudus gave something on compassionate grounds, with the fact that he had been injured for so long and he is now returning, so they should excuse him without any malicious intent.

"It's one way for people to draw those conclusions. For me, I think it is an opportunity for those called up to shine. If someone takes over a position, then that's it. People got such chances and grabbed them with both arms, and it was difficult to take them out."

Spurs will benefit from having Kudus in training rather than on a long-haul trip too. De Zerbi clearly sees him as one of his main attacking options, having explained that he left Mathys Tel out of the squad against Villa because "(James) Maddison and Kudus, they had more chances to change the game".

The October run is where the manager's fate could be decided. After the trip to Old Trafford, Spurs host fellow strugglers Coventry, visit Chelsea and then finish the month at home to Crystal Palace.

On the bright side, De Zerbi will at least have time on the training ground to find some answers, with just four games coming next month while several of their top flight counterparts play as many as seven.