Ange could boldly replace VDV with Spurs star who’s played 0 minutes in PL this season
Micky van de Ven’s injury presents Tottenham Hotspur with a challenge as they prepare for a crucial Premier League clash against Aston Villa. Although Spurs are coming off an impressive Carabao Cup win over Manchester City, Villa represents a tougher opponent.
Currently, Villa sits five points ahead of Tottenham, who have managed only four wins in nine league games, including a recent disappointing loss to Crystal Palace.
With another home defeat to Villa looming, fans are growing concerned about the team’s inconsistency and ability to compete at the highest level.
Villa, unbeaten in away league matches this season, brings a formidable challenge, especially as Tottenham now face Van de Ven’s absence due to injury.
Van de Ven has been instrumental for Spurs with his athleticism and exceptional distribution skills, making him one of the top defenders in the Premier League.
The Dutch defender, who joined from Wolfsburg for £43 million in 2023, has quickly established himself as a vital asset, helping stabilize what was once a porous Tottenham backline.
His stats reflect his impact: Van de Ven ranks among the top 1% of Premier League center-backs for assists, the top 14% for pass completion, the top 11% for progressive passes, and the top 14% for successful take-ons per game.
His speed and physicality make him an ideal defender to neutralize Villa’s attacking threats, including Ollie Watkins and Jhon Duran.
Compounding Tottenham’s defensive concerns is the possible absence of Cristian Romero, who experienced soreness following the City match.
Without both key defenders, Spurs fans might feel nervous, though Radu Dragusin is likely to start in central defense regardless of Romero’s status.
Dragusin, a promising 22-year-old Romanian, displayed solid performance against City, winning a ground duel and making five clearances.
Another option could be Archie Gray, though his inexperience may be risky against a strong Villa side. Meanwhile, Ben Davies is expected to step in for Van de Ven.
Davies has been with Tottenham since 2014, joining from Swansea City in a £10 million swap. He’s been a dependable presence with over 335 appearances for the club, scoring nine goals and contributing 23 assists.
While Postecoglou hasn’t used him in the league yet this season, Davies has played every minute of Spurs’ Europa League campaign, achieving a clean sheet against AZ Alkmaar and completing 91% of his passes. His experience and calmness under pressure make him a reliable option, even if he lacks Van de Ven’s athleticism.
When comparing Davies and Van de Ven, Davies holds his own in several statistical categories. For instance, Davies completes 90% of his passes and attempts a similar volume of passes per game.
Though Van de Ven is superior in areas like successful take-ons and progressive carries, Davies’ contributions remain valuable, as shown in the table below.
| Stat | Van de Ven | Davies |
|---|---|---|
| Pass completion | 93% | 90% |
| Passes attempted | 72.1 | 71.6 |
| Progressive passes | 4.90 | 5.54 |
| Shot-creating actions | 0.72 | 1.14 |
| Progressive carries | 0.72 | 1.42 |
| Successful take-ons | 0.52 | 0.28 |
Although Davies may not possess Van de Ven’s natural athleticism, he remains a seasoned defender capable of performing consistently. Last season, he filled in for Van de Ven during a difficult period, delivering composed performances and starting 12 matches with a 91% pass completion rate and a 68% ground duel win rate. His reliability, combined with Dragusin’s more dynamic style, could provide the stability Tottenham needs in this matchup against Villa.
If Romero is unavailable, Postecoglou’s project of building a deep and adaptable squad may prove invaluable. Davies, backed by his experience and skill, can capably face Villa’s attacking threats.
Should Romero be cleared to play, however, he would bring an added layer of strength to Tottenham’s defense, giving them a solid foundation to secure a crucial win against Unai Emery’s formidable side.
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