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Micky van de Ven is a crucial player for Spurs, but what happens when he’s injured or needs a rest? Here, we highlight three players who could come in and be the perfect cover for the Dutchman.

Ange Postecoglou‘s system demands his defenders play a high line. That’s great from an attacking perspective, but when possession changes hands, Spurs are susceptible to getting caught out at the back.

The phenomenal pace of Micky van de Ven goes a long way towards combatting that issue. But, the 23-year-old cannot play every game, and he does seem to be picking up injuries a little too regularly.

So, we’ve outlined three players Postecoglou add to his list of transfer targets to ensure his team has the balance it needs even without van de Ven.

Piero Hincapie

Spurs have been heavily linked with Bayer Leverkusen defender Piero Hincapie in the past, funnily enough, before they opted to sign van de Ven. The Ecuadorian is left-footed, comfortable on the ball, and has a great level of practical aggression, all of which makes him ideal for Tottenham’s style of play.

He’s not as fast as van de Ven (though no defender is, really), but Hincapie does have a top speed of 33.71 km/h, and an average speed of 31.62 km/h per game. While not exactly rapid, that’s certainly fast enough for Tottenham’s needs.

Goncalo Inacio

Some incredible players have emerged from the Portuguese league over the years, and Sporting Lisbon star Goncalo Inacio is arguably one of the best defenders playing outside Europe’s top five divisions right now. The 23-year-old has a brilliant range of passing, reads the game really well, and loves to break the lines with progressive carries or passes.

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Inacio has also hit a top speed of 33.71 km/h, but has a slightly lower average speed of 31.25 km/h. That said, he’s got an exceptional engine, and would be able to sustain a strong pace over the course of a full game.

Illia Zabarnyi

Spurs raided Bournemouth in the summer to sign Dominic Solanke, and if they’re looking for a speedy defender to add to their squad, they could well go back to the Cherries once more to take Illia Zabarnyi. The Ukraine defender is really effective at short and medium-range passing, is not afraid to put his body on the line to make key clearances, and very rarely makes any significant errors of any kind.

After Spurs’ impressive victory against Villa, Ange Postecoglou finished his press conference by delivering a heartfelt tribute to former Tottenham coach Ugo Ehiogu.

Spurs growing momentum

Just days before, Ange Postecoglou’s men had shocked Manchester City, securing a 2-1 Carabao Cup victory against the reigning Premier League champions; it was a statement win, one that seemed to capture a sense of unity and resilience within the squad.

Building on that success, the north London side hosted Aston Villa on Sunday, and once again, they rose to the occasion in remarkable style, overturning an early deficit to claim a 4-1 victory that sent a powerful message.

This latest win, which saw Spurs come from behind after conceding an early goal, not only showcased Tottenham’s attacking prowess but also underscored Postecoglou’s influence on a squad that continues to adapt to his philosophy.

The victory pushed Spurs up to seventh in the Premier League table, reflecting a steady climb after a turbulent start to the season. Yet, amidst the tactical battles and the intensity of the Premier League, Postecoglou reminded the world of his humanity, revealing a side to his character that struck a chord with fans and players alike, particularly during his post-match interview on Sunday, which delivered a poignant moment of reflection.

Ange Postecoglou and Matt Wells deliver heartfelt tribute

After Tottenham’s decisive 4-1 victory over Aston Villa, Ange Postecoglou took a moment to speak directly from the heart, honouring former Spurs coach Ugo Ehiogu on what would have been his 52nd birthday.

Ehiogu, who managed Tottenham’s U23 side until his untimely passing in 2017, was known as a beloved figure at the club and beyond, and his influence continues to be felt by those who worked with him.

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During the post-match interview, Postecoglou reflected on the importance of Ehiogu’s legacy and its impact on the Tottenham community.

Speaking to football.london he said: “I’m really proud of the lads. It was an important day for us today. Because it’s also the birthday of the late Ugo Ehiogu and he had a big influence on Matty Wells here at the club, I know he played for Villa but he was obviously a coach at our football club.

“Matty spoke really strongly about him. When you hear things like that, and how people affect your life, it helps give clarity to the players about what we’re trying to do here.

“Obviously for his wife and his son probably a tough day, but hopefully they get a little bit cheer from the fact Wellsy made it a really important point, that he may be gone but he’s not forgotten.”

Postecoglou’s connection with Tottenham fans

Postecoglou’s tribute to Ehiogu on Sunday showcased a sense of class and awareness that Tottenham fans rarely get to see in such a raw, unfiltered way, and his words didn’t go unnoticed by the Spurs faithful.

Without a doubt, such gestures have the potential to strengthen bonds within the squad itself, as players observe a manager who values the legacy of the club and the people who have contributed to it.

It’s not difficult to imagine that, under Postecoglou, Spurs players might feel inspired to match his passion with their performances, committing to his vision with renewed determination and respect for each other.

As Tottenham looks to maintain momentum after two impressive wins, fans can be hopeful that these kinds of gestures reflect a foundation of mutual respect that could drive the club forward.

Ange Postecoglou sheds light on Pape Matar Sarr and his place in the Tottenham starting line-up, hinting that the young midfielder’s contributions might just have him firmly back in contention.

Pape Matar Sarr’s recent performances

Ange Postecoglou’s side displayed a return to form, with a well-rounded performance that brought energy and fluidity back to the team, providing relief for Spurs fans who had witnessed a brief dip in recent displays.

Central to Tottenham’s resurgence has been the presence of young midfielder Pape Matar Sarr, who has consistently shown his quality and grit in crucial games.

Sarr’s contributions in recent matches have proven invaluable; he scored a stunning goal in the Carabao Cup clash, setting the pace with his impactful play and earning praise for his assist against West Ham, which contributed to another impressive 4-1 victory in Spurs last home game in the Premier League.

Such performances have sparked debate among fans, many wondering if Sarr has solidified a place over James Maddison in Postecoglou’s starting eleven, especially given Maddison’s absence from the starting line-up against Aston Villa.

Postecoglou’s view on Sarr’s starting place

In his post-match comments, Ange Postecoglou offered insights into his selection process and provided a resounding endorsement of Pape Sarr and his place within the Tottenham squad. Speaking to football.london he said:

“They’re never out of my line-up, it’s different challenges along the way. But he probably played as much as anyone last year, I rate him so highly. His capacity again to work for the team but also the quality he has in breaking open oppositions with his running with the ball.

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“I knew he’d be important today because they’ve got such a hard-working midfield with Onana, Tielemans, McGinn in there, Rogers. They don’t really play with wide players, they work awfully hard in that midfield area and you’ve got to match that. You’re never going to break them open unless you do that. He just put in another enormous effort. Along with Rodri and Biss when he came on, and Deki of course.”

A new balance in midfield?

The return of Pape Matar Sarr to the starting line-up signifies more than just a tactical switch; it represents a shift in Tottenham’s approach, aiming for a midfield capable of both creativity and defensive resilience.

James Maddison, while instrumental in Spurs’ attacking play, has shown that his strengths are somewhat offset when the team requires an edge in physical battles, as was evident in today’s fixture.

Maddison, however, remains a potent asset – his impactful substitute appearance and perfectly struck free-kick demonstrated his value, reminding fans and coaches alike of his game-changing potential.

The competition between Sarr and Maddison may offer Tottenham an unexpected advantage as the season progresses, giving Postecoglou flexibility in shaping his midfield around the demands of each match.

Tottenham may be struggling to find consistency on the pitch right now, but their squad has come out on top in one area according to a hilarious study carried out on all the Premier League teams… and we have Radu Dragusin to thank.

Spurs have the most attractive squad in the league

It’s not quite a trophy, but the Tottenham players will probably be pretty happy to hear that they have been named the most attractive squad in the Premier League.

The study was carried out by Indian iGaming site Gamblino, and used an AI attractiveness tool to assess the aesthetic qualities of all the players in the English top flight and determine which squad was the most appealing.

Turns out, Spurs are top of the pile in that area, with an average attractiveness rating of 6.96. You’ll never sing that, but we’ll take it nonetheless.

Local rivals Arsenal came in joint-second with Nottingham Forest, both teams achieving a score of 6.95, with Declan Rice and Alex Moreno doing the business for them.

Bournemouth were fourth with a score of 6.91, Manchester United fifth (6.83), and Wolves came sixth (6.82). Rounding out the top ten is West Ham (6.81), Newcastle and Chelsea were joint-eighth with a score of 6.76, and Southampton complete the set with a 6.75 rating.

Radu Dragusin is the start of the show

According to the study, Tottenham defender Radu Dragusin is the team’s most attractive player – and one of the best-looking in the Premier League. He achieved an attractiveness rating of 8.07, which makes him the eighth-ranked player in the whole division based on his face card.

Ryan Manning of Southampton came third overall, with a score of 8.31, Leicester City legend Jamie Vardy came second, and Arsenal’s Declan Rice was crowned the most attractive player of all, with a score of 8.57.

Some questionable ratings

I don’t want to question the legitimacy of this study, because we’ll absolutely claim that win, but… there’s no way Declan Rice is the best-looking in the league, and Jamie Vardy in second is frankly ridiculous. Radu was robbed!

Tottenham showcased resilience and clinical finishing to dispatch Aston Villa 4-1 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this evening – let’s take a look at our match report.

Despite falling behind in the first half, Spurs staged a stunning second-half comeback, with Dominic Solanke’s brace and James Maddison’s late free-kick sealing the victory. The win halted Villa’s seven-game unbeaten Premier League run and lifted Tottenham to seventh in the table.

Match report: Tottenham struggle to break Aston Villa down

Aston Villa’s disciplined, compact defence frustrated Spurs throughout the first half. Tottenham initially pressed high but found themselves limited to crosses and cut-backs that rarely troubled Villa’s goalkeeper, Emiliano Martinez.

Aston Villa took the lead against the run of play in the 31st minute. Following a chaotic sequence from a corner, Morgan Rogers pounced on a rebound after Pedro Porro’s missed clearance and Rodrigo Bentancur’s deflected header.

The hosts ended the half trailing 1-0, with only 0.2 expected goals (xG) compared to Villa’s 1.3.

Spurs turn the tide as Solanke and Johnson shine

After halftime, Tottenham’s approach shifted dramatically. Utilising their wide players more effectively, Spurs found success going around Villa’s defence.

Brennan Johnson quickly equalised in the 49th minute, tapping in Heung-Min Son’s precise cross at the back post. Son’s involvement ended shortly after due to an unexpected substitution, with Richarlison coming on.

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The Brazilian proved vital in assisting Tottenham’s third goal, but the turnaround began with Kulusevski’s sublime pass in the 75th minute. Spotting Solanke’s clever run behind Villa’s defence, Kulusevski threaded the ball through, and Solanke deftly chipped Martinez, putting Spurs in command.

Notably, Kulusevski led with the game’s highest effective chance creation, generating three major scoring opportunities.

Solanke wasn’t done, adding his second just four minutes later. Richarlison’s accurate pass found him at the back post, and Solanke made no mistake, slotting home for 3-1. Villa, struggling to keep up, tried to mount a late response, but Tottenham maintained control, outshooting Villa and drastically raising their xG to 2.63.

Maddison’s milestone seals the win

Villa’s fate was sealed in stoppage time when Maddison curled in a beautiful free-kick, marking his 50th Premier League goal. His strike from the edge of the box left Martinez rooted, putting an exclamation mark on Tottenham’s comeback and adding confidence after he was left out of the starting XI.

With this win, Spurs not only reinforced their reputation for breaking runs—having already handed Crystal Palace their first league winless streak—but also became the team that snapped Villa’s seven-game unbeaten record.

Takeaway: resilience, depth, and defensive concerns

This performance highlighted Tottenham’s growing resilience under Ange Postecoglou. While defensive lapses on set pieces remain a concern – evident in conceding their 20th goal from such situations under manager Ange Postecoglou, this would be something they will eagerly want to work on in the future.

However, Romero’s exit due to a foot injury adds further strain to an already thin backline. With Romero and Van de Ven both sidelined, the defence will lean on Ben Davies and Dragusin to step up.

With injuries mounting in defence, Spurs will hope their creativity and finishing can sustain them in the upcoming fixtures.

Tottenham Hotspur got back to winning ways in the Premier League this afternoon with a 4-1 victory over Aston Villa following that disappointing defeat against Crystal Palace last weekend.

Let’s take a look at the five things we learned from Tottenham vs Aston Villa:

Dom deserved that!

It had been a while since Dominic Solanke had even had a shot on goal before today, let alone a goal. Now, that isn’t to say he hasn’t played well. I would actually say he’s been one of Tottenham’s top three performers this season.

His hold-up play, relentless pressing, and link-up play have been a big part of so many Spurs goals this season, even if he hasn’t been rewarded with the eventual goal or assist. A brace today was nothing less than he deserved – and he also won the free-kick for James Maddison’s goal. Man of the Match performance from Dom.

A game of two halves

If you’d told me that Spurs were going to win that game at half-time, I would have called you silly. If you’d told me we were going to win it 4-1, I wouldn’t have even replied. Everything that was missing in the first 45 – composure on the ball, creativity in the final third, and a killer instinct in front of goal – suddenly materialised in the second half.

Credit to the players for digging in and showing some more bravery, and the lads off the bench (Davies, Bissouma, Richarlison, Maddison, and Gray) were all a huge part of that. I would love to know what Ange told them at half-time.

Dragusin deserves credit again

You could argue that Radu Dragusin’s best skills are more suited to a low block than a high line. Superb aerial ability, good one-v-one defending in the box, and strength beyond belief. He showed that against Man City and at times again today when Spurs were up against it.

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What surprised me against Ollie Watkins was that Dragusin also performed so well today when it came to chasing back towards his own goal. He has a little more pace that I gave him credit for and seems to be more and more comfortable in Postecoglou’s system by the week. Instead of diving in one-v-one, he is getting much more joy just holding people up, waiting for back-up, and letting the counterattack fizzle out. Really impressed with him today.

A few more injury problems

A big win for Tottenham today but a few more injury problems for the coming days and weeks too. Cristian Romero is the biggest worry, with the Argentine coming off with a foot injury and a heavy challenge. Spurs are already without Micky Van de Ven.

Rodrigo Bentancur also appeared to be limping before he was swapped for Yves Bissouma, while Richarlison seemed to hurt his left hamstring while assisting Tottenham’s third.

Maddison proves a point

A lot was made of Ange Postecoglou’s decision to name James Maddison on the bench today, especially after he played 0 minutes against Man City in mid-week. Let’s be honest, it’s not like Madders was even in poor form – he has started the season pretty well. The simple truth is that he isn’t as effective off the ball as Kulusevski or Sarr, and Spurs have lacked a grit in midfield over recent weeks.

Saying that Maddison has been ‘dropped’ is probably an overstatement though. This is a squad game and he just has a point to prove over the coming weeks. Coming on and scoring a free-kick certainly won’t harm his chances.

Tottenham Hotspur are back to winning ways in the Premier League after an outstanding performance in North London. Goals from Johnson, Maddison and a Solanke brace cancelled out Rogers’ early goal and helped Spurs parade to victory, 4-1.

Over the past 90 minutes, we’ve analysed each player’s individual performance, rating them on a scale of 1-10.

Tottenham’s player ratings

Guglielmo Vicario: He was rarely troubled. 6.

Pedro Porro: It wasn’t a particularly memorable performance from the Spaniard at all. He was quiet going forward and was often left out of position in transition. 5.

Cristian Romero: The Argentine had a positive first half, particularly on the ball, but came off with an injury which isn’t good news at all for Spurs. Anyone else getting flashbacks to this time last year? Before the substitution though, Romero picked up a booking for a hefty challenge. It wasn’t his finest performance by any means. 6.

Radu Dragusin: Deputising for Van de Ven today, Dragusin was a rock at the back. He was able to halt many Villa counters and he even looked comfortable and composed on the ball. 7.

Destiny Udogie: Continued to bomb down the line, combining well with Son to cause Villa’s right side trouble throughout the contest. It was a really impressive performance from Udogie, who’s starting to look more and more like the Udogie we all know and love. 8.

Rodrigo Bentancur: Battled hard in the first-half and was comfortable on the ball throughout. He was subbed early in the first half after a fine display. The Uruguayan can have no complaints about his showing. 7.

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Dejan Kulusevski: Again, Kulusevski was Spurs’ brightest player throughout the ninety, and his intelligent through ball led to Spurs taking the lead. The Swede was key in Spurs’ engine room and his interceptions high up the pitch were pivotal. 8.

Pape Sarr: Sarr looked to build on a goal and an impressive performance in midweek as he was handed a start by Postecoglou. His running was energetic and his confidence was high, and he undoubtedly played a huge role in Spurs’ victory. 9.

Brennan Johnson: Scored the equaliser early in the second half, but didn’t create much otherwise. Still, Brennan will be happy to be back on the scoreboard. 7.

Dominic Solanke: Despite a quiet first-half, Solanke silenced the critics with a superb brace. He lifted the ball over Martinez with ease, timing his run to absolute perfection! Minutes later, he added another, which both are undoubtedly rewards for his Spurs performances in recent weeks. Finally, the Englishman won the freekick which led to the fourth. A statement performance. 10.

Heung-Min Son: Whipped in a beautiful cross that landed at Johnson’s feet which led to the equaliser. The assist rewarded what was a positive first-half from the captain. Surprisingly, though, he was subbed for Richarlison for what we could only assume to be a precautionary measure. 8.

Substitutes:

Ben Davies: Came on for the injured Romero and was defensively dependable as always. 6.

Archie Gray: Gray was subbed on for Udogie, his versatility proving vital as Postecoglou was able to finally rest the left back momentarily. The eighteen-year-old was solid in the short time he had to see out Spurs’ win. 6.

Yves Bissouma: Replaced Bentancur to offer some more defensive stability before the hour mark, and he did just that. 7.

James Maddison: Came on for the injured Richarlison for the last period of the game. Most of his time was spent defending, until a set piece on the edge of the eighteen-yard box was curled beautifully into the top corner, leaving Martinez stunned. 7.

Tottenham Hotspur look set to fight it out with Aston Villa for a place in the Premier League top four once again this season, but the Lilywhites have not made an ideal start to the season.

Tottenham vs Aston Villa in the race for top four

The Villans came into the game at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this afternoon with a five-point lead over Ange Postecoglou’s men.

In true Spurs fashion, the Lilywhites gave Crystal Palace their very first win of the season last weekend, only to follow that up with a Carabao Cup win over Pep Guardiola’s unbeaten Man City.

Let’s take a look at our half-time player ratings from Tottenham vs Aston Villa:

Tottenham vs Aston Villa half-time player ratings

Guglielmo Vicario: Made an important save on the half-hour mark to deny Onana but seconds later, he was bullied at a corner which led to Rogers’ easiest goal of his life. Didn’t have boatloads to do, otherwise. 4.

Pedro Porro: Due to Postecoglou’s more defensive approach in midfield today, Porro found himself a lot higher up the pitch than he has in recent weeks. Defensively, though, he struggled to deal with Ramsey and he wasn’t massively impressive going forward either. 5.

Cristian Romero: Comfortable on the ball throughout and played plenty of his trademark line-breaking passes that aided Spurs’ attack. 6.

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Radu Dragusin: Filling the boots of Micky van de Ven is no simple task, however the Romanian was strong and was often able to halt any Villa counters. 7.

Destiny Udogie: Left a late tackle on Matty Cash early on that was well-received amongst the Spurs supporters. Supported Son constantly with underlapping runs that proved troubling for the Villa defence. Overall, a really promising display. 8.

Rodrigo Bentancur: Operating in a double pivot alongside Sarr, Spurs’ number 30 looked composed and comfortable on the ball as always. You could tell the Uruguayan was really up for this one, as a strong challenge flew in from him on more than one occasion. 8.

Pape Sarr: Preferred to James Maddison today, the Senegalese looked to build on a goal and a solid performance in midweek. Sarr linked up really well with Son on Spurs’ left side throughout, although you could argue he was too easily bypassed by Onana on multiple occasions. 7.

Dejan Kulusevski: The Swede was gifted the role of Spurs’ main creator and was incredibly bright for the majority of the opening forty-five. He won back possession high up the pitch more than once and certainly troubled the Villa defence. However, it must be said that a lot of the riskier passes he attempted weren’t often completed. 7.

Brennan Johnson: The Welshman made an abundance of enticing runs into the channel, persistently looking to be a threat. Unfortunately though, he created no real clear cut chances. 6.

Dominic Solanke: He led the press phenomenally for Spurs, but he didn’t have any real chances. 5.

Most people know Roy Keane as a Manchester United legend, but the Irishman has revealed that Tottenham Hotspur are the club he supports and it is all because of one former Spurs player.

Keane made a name for himself away from Tottenham

Roy Keane is remembered fondly by fans of the Red Devils. He made 326 appearances for the club, winning heaps of silverware, including seven Premier League titles and a Champions League trophy (Transfer Markt).

He never played for Spurs at any point in his career, opting to finish his playing career at Celtic, a club close to the hearts of many from his home country, the Republic of Ireland. A few months ago he even claimed that he rejected Real Madrid to seal a move to the Scottish Premiership side (Stick to Football).

But despite making a name for himself elsewhere, Keane has revealed that he has always been a Tottenham supporter, thanks to one former Spurs midfielder he grew up watching.

Glenn Hoddle is Roy Keane’s football hero

On the latest episode of Stick to Football, Keane has said that Spurs legend, Glenn Hoddle, is the reason he began supporting the Lilywhites, as he described his hero as a ‘proper player’.

Keane added that he and Hoddle were ‘Spurs through and through,’ before letting out a ‘come on Spurs’ as the former players sat down to begin the programme.

Hoddle was shocked at Keane’s revelation, exclaiming that he could not believe the ex-United star was a Tottenham supporter because of his influence.

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But Gary Neville, who was hosting the show, said that Hoddle was many people’s favourite player, as there were not many players like him, while Jill Scott added that Jamie Redknapp had also previously named Hoddle as his favourite player.

You can watch the intro below:

Spurs are a household name

It has been a pretty good week for Tottenham’s publicity. Only a few days ago at the Ballon d’Or awards ceremony, George Weah, who played for Manchester City and Chelsea in 2000, announced that he has supported Tottenham since he was a boy.

Whether it is players who established their careers at other clubs, or popular celebrities, the famous supporters of Tottenham are a testament to how huge the club are, with fans from all over the world.

Amanda Staveley’s long-rumoured hopes of investing in Tottenham Hotspur may have just hit a major hurdle, due to changes in the way the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) operates.

PIF are changing their strategy

Though Staveley is no longer directly involved with PIF after leaving Newcastle United, the businesswoman may still be looking to Saudi investors for her next move.

If so, she would likely find it more difficult to get what she wants this time around. That’s because, according to Al Arabiya, the Saudi sovereign wealth fund is scaling back its operations in the future.

Governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan announced at the Future Investment Initiative Summit that PIF will be reducing its overseas investments from the current 30%, to closer to an 18-20% share.

While PIF directly would not be able to invest in Tottenham due to a conflict of interests, virtually all funding from Saudi Arabia comes from the state fund. So, though Staveley’s potential backers may be separate legal entities to PIF, if the state is reducing its investment, that affects all Saudi groups.

Is Amanda Staveley investing in Spurs?

Staveley is known to be keen on investing in a new sporting project, with Spurs thought to be at the top of her list of potential investment opportunities.

It is believed Staveley and Spurs chairman, Daniel Levy, are now close friends. According to The Athletic, the former has possible backing from investors in the Middle East and the USA, but would only be looking for a minority stake in another club.

Staveley has apparently been very vocal to those closest to her about her interest in Tottenham.

A complex matter

It’s really hard to ascertain whether Staveley will actually get a deal across the line and become a shareholder in Tottenham. There’s so much going on behind the scenes, and business opportunities like these require plenty of negotiations and there are so many obstacles that can get in the way. Hopefully, something can be arranged, but it’s best not to expect a deal anytime soon.