'So disappointing': Ange Postecoglou's verdict on latest injury blow to his £43m signing

Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou says it was disappointing to see Micky van de Ven suffer another injury but was hoping it would be nothing serious this time around. The Dutch defender was forced off early in the second half. 

This is the second time in his Tottenham career that he's had to be hooked, the first time coming against Chelsea back in November which eventually caught up with Spurs. They were top of the league table when he got injured alongside James Maddison and they dropped to fifth by the time he was fit again.

Asked if he'd spoken to van de Ven after the game, the Tottenham manager said: "I’m not sure, he doesn’t think it’s anything too significant. So disappointing for him because he was outstanding again up until that point. Great for Radu to come in, his first significant game-time in a big game and I thought he handled it really well." 

In his absence though, Spurs turned on the style scoring four times to seal a vital win that hands them an advantage in their fight to finish fourth this season. The north London club have now closed the gap on Villa down from five to just two points and they have a game in hand. 

Last season, only one point separated Villa and Tottenham with the Midlands club securing Europa Conference by finishing seventh while Spurs stayed in eighth. Postecoglou knows securing Champions League football for next season would be vital and having his top players available will be a massive boost in the run-in.