‘It could implode’ – Antonio Conte and Daniel Levy set to have ‘honest talks’ after Aston Villa loss

Perry Groves cannot see Antonio Conte leaving Tottenham despite three defeats in their last four home league games.

Spurs were booed after falling 2-0 to Aston Villa on New Year’s Day, leaving them in fifth place, two points behind Manchester United.

Goals from Emi Buendia and Douglas Luiz gave Unai Emery the perfect start to 2023 but plunged Conte and Spurs into yet another defeat at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

It was a limp performance from the hosts who fell behind for the seventh league game in a row and looked unable to get back on track.

Conte is yet to agree a contract extension despite Spurs’ willingness to tie the Italian down to a long-term deal.

Even though his contract expires this summer, the former Arsenal Groves winger doesn’t believe Conte will leave the club or be dismissed anytime soon.

“Financially, I don’t know if Daniel Levy would want to pay this compensation,” Groves told talkSPORT.

“There’s going to be a lot of tough talk and honest talk because Conte will say his team needs a refresh. He was backed at the start of the season so it’s another test because it could implode very quickly for the players. Spurs.

“I know a lot of Spurs fans want [Mauricio] Pochettino is back because he wants to see exciting and free-flowing football.

“You won’t get that under Conte, but normally you get winning football and he’s not delivering that at the moment.”

The games are dense and fast for Conte and a recovery is needed quickly to prevent Spurs from slipping further down the table.

The Italian takes his side to Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Wednesday before Portsmouth visit north London in the FA Cup.

But the next four matches could make or break Spurs’ season, starting with a visit to leaders Arsenal followed by a trip to Manchester City.

They then travel to Fulham before welcoming City in early February.