Despite overcoming Manchester City in the Carabao Cup fourth round, Tottenham’s victory was overclouded by an injury to one of their brightest stars.
Having raced into an early lead thanks to Timo Werner, Spurs would soon then be hit by a huge injury blow with Micky van de Ven limping off with a hamstring injury after just 14 minutes.
Visibly upset as he exited the pitch, fans will of no doubt of had flashbacks of last season’s hamstring injury against Chelsea – an injury that kept the 23-year-old out for 2-3 months.
With last season’s injury in mind, many supporters have since questioned Ange Postecoglou’s decision to start the Dutchman, especially when Tottenham fans spotted Van de Ven holding his hamstring in the warm-up.
Postecoglou will now likely be without Van de Ven for the Aston Villa game and the Aussie will no doubt already be planning on who could step into defence – with both Radu Dragusin and Ben Davies viable options at centre-back.
Ange Postecoglou’s Radu Dragusin and Ben Davies dilemma
When it comes to replacing Van de Ven, the Spurs boss has two options in the shape of Dragusin and Davies.
If Postecoglou’s team selection against Man City is anything to go by, the Aussie may be more tempted to pick Dragusin against Aston Villa – with the Romanian starting and impressing against Pep Guardiola’s side.
Davies also featured in the cup win, coming on for Cristian Romero mid-way through the second half.
| Stats 24/25 | Appearances | Minutes played |
| Radu Dragusin | 6 | 376 |
| Ben Davies | 5 | 398 |
The stats above show the Welshman has actually picked up more minutes this season – but that is mainly down to Dragusin’s red card against Qarabag in the Europa League.
When it comes down to who will start against Aston Villa though, it would be a surprise not to see Dragusin lineup alongside Romero at the heart of the Spurs backline – especially after his imposing performance against City.
What has Postecoglou previously said about Dragusin?
Despite Dragusin not enjoying much airtime since his January arrival from Genoa, the Romanian has impressed in patches – with Postecoglou singing his praises after his performance against Newcastle back in September.
Although Tottenham lost the game at St James’ Park, Postecoglou did not hold back on his admiration for the 22-year-old – as per the Tottenham Hotspur website.
“I thought he was good. It was a great opportunity to expose him. I mean, he’s only 22.
“He’s still a young man, especially for a defender and I thought exposing him to this atmosphere and the threat, the particular threat that Newcastle posed with Isak up front, he had to be really concentrated, and I thought he was.
“I think he’s going to play a big part in our season. Him coming through that, that whole experience, will set him up well.”
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