Tottenham Hotspur midfielder James Maddison has hailed Micky van de Ven as out of this world.
Ange Postecoglou’s side showed out on Sunday at Villa Park and took all three points back to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
But the emphatic victory against Unai Emery’s side did come with some issues as Micky van de Ven was withdrawn through injury.
Micky van de Ven injury news
The Dutchman had put in yet another stunning display at the back for Tottenham, but he was forced to come off early in the second half.
January signing Radu Dragusin replaced him as the 22-year-old held his hamstring just months on from his injury against Chelsea.
Postecoglou has admitted the centre-back does not think it is anything too serious, but it was certainly enough to raise concern at half-time with Dragusin seen intensely warming up during the break.
Van de Ven would be a huge miss for the Lilywhites if he is to be out for a number of weeks/months again.
His teammate James Maddison told Sky Sports just how impressed he has been by the young Dutchman, He said: “I can see why he [Ange Postecoglou] went for a player like Micky just because we do play an aggressive line. And his pace is frightening, really. Like you see some of the recovery runs against Palace [it’s] just like out of this world almost. Like the sheer pace and physicality he has and then to go with that being a ball-playing centre-half; they’re tough to find.”
James Maddison stats vs Aston Villa
Going into the game on Sunday, it felt like the perfect time for Maddison to return to his best following his injury earlier in the term.
And that is exactly what Spurs got from their number 10 at Villa Park as he opened the scoring with a neat finish from Pape Matar Sarr’s sensational cross.
- 87 minutes played
- 1 goal
- 61/65 successful passes
- 82 touches
- 1 clearance
- 3x was fouled
- 1 interception
Statistics via SofaScore.
The goal was Maddison’s fourth in the Premier League this season, but it was also his first since October when he netted in the victory over Fulham.
He made a stunning start to the season and even earned himself the Premier League’s Player of the Month award for August.
That injury was certainly a major setback and he has taken some time – naturally – to find his feet again on the pitch.
But what a time it is for Maddison to find his best form again just as the battle for the top four begins to heat up.
Spurs will need Maddison to provide his creative spark over the next month or so with some seriously difficult fixtures coming Tottenham’s way.
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