De Zerbi was unambiguous when asked whether he wanted Palhinha to remain at the club beyond the end of his loan spell.
"One hundred per cent. We have to start from this type of people. More than players, we need reliable people, reliable players. Palhinha is one of the best, as a player for sure, but as a guy. I want to see players with the same passion, the same attitude, the same spirit and the same personality. We are lucky to have him with us."
Palhinha, 30, was making only his fourth start in four matches under De Zerbi at Villa Park, having been used inconsistently by the three managers who have taken charge at Spurs this season. Thomas Frank, interim Igor Tudor and now De Zerbi have each rotated through a midfield pool that has included Rodrigo Bentancur, Archie Gray, Pape Matar Sarr, Lucas Bergvall, Yves Bissouma and Conor Gallagher since January.
He has started only 20 of Tottenham's 35 Premier League games this season.
De Zerbi was pointed about the difference Palhinha's character brings.
"Palhinha did not play the first three games and the fourth he was one of the best players on the pitch."
The victory at Villa was Tottenham's seventh point from three games under De Zerbi, easing them clear of the relegation zone. Palhinha had already scored a vital winner off the bench at Wolverhampton Wanderers last month, ending a run of 15 Premier League games without a victory.
Bayern Munich signed Palhinha from Fulham in 2024 but he made little impact in Bavaria and the loan to Spurs followed. At £27million, exercising the option would represent reasonable value for an established international midfielder with proven Premier League experience.
Whether the Spurs board backs De Zerbi's judgment this early in his tenure may tell us something about the trust being placed in the new head coach.