Tottenham fans bemoan loss of ‘monster’ Micky van de Ven as the key defender limps off with another injury setback against Aston Villa

Tottenham fans have bemoaned the loss of Micky van de Ven after the centre back limped off against Aston Villa with an injury.

Van de Ven was forced off four minutes into the second half with the Dutchman having blocked an Aston Villa shot in the penalty area.

The 22-year-old appeared to have suffered a hamstring injury and was commiserated by Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou after being withdrawn.

Van de Ven had previously missed nine Premier League matches earlier this season after suffering a hamstring problem against Chelsea in November.

Tottenham fans expressed concern at the latest injury blow suffered by the Dutchman, who has been a key player since joining for £43m from Wolfsburg last summer.

Van de Ven was commiserated by Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou as he came off

Van de Ven had previously missed nine matches earlier this season due to a hamstring injury

‘Only a matter of time before Micky van de Ven got injured again,’ one fan wrote.

‘Too much pressure and reliance on him to make last gasp tackles.’

‘Van de Ven due to be a top three best centre back in the world in a few years. If he can stay fit imo,’ another claimed.

Rival fans also praised the Dutch defender and highlighted the blow to Spurs prospects.

‘Van de Ven injury is such a blow to Spurs, monster of a player,’ said one, with another writing ‘must be frustrating for Spurs fans that. Van de Ven is quality but seems to really struggle with injuries.’

Spurs had used full backs Ben Davies and Emerson Royal at centre back amid an injury crisis earlier this season.

Postecoglou instead was able to turn to Radu Dragusin, with the Romanian bolstering Spurs backline after joining from Genoa in January.

Tottenham bounced back from the setback to score twice after Van de Ven’s injury, with James Maddison and Brennan Johnson earning a 2-0 lead against their rivals for Champions League qualification.