Tottenham are dealt ANOTHER injury blow as Rodrigo Bentancur is forced off during their clash with Aston Villa… as Uruguayan midfielder joins Micky van de Ven and James Maddison in growing list of absentees

• Rodrigo Bentancur was brought down by Villa’s Matty Cash during the clash
• Tottenham have a growing list of absentees, including James Maddison ruled out
• Follow all the live action from Tottenham v Aston Villa here 

Tottenham’s injury woes will not let up for the North London side as Rodrigo Bentancur came off injured during the first half of Spurs’ Aston Villa clash.

Matty Cash launched in on the Uruguayan with a rash challenge, bringing him down in pain, and not long after he was substituted off for Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg.

Fans were quick to take to social media as they believed Cash’s challenge was deserving of a red card, though the Polish international escaped with a yellow. 

With Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg replacing him, Bentancur has now joined a long list of injuries plaguing Ange Postecoglou’s team. 

Speaking before the match, boss Postecoglou added: ‘We’re stretched at the moment. We’re missing ten players but it is what it is.’

Rodrigo Bentancur was replaced by Hojbjerg early in first half after a tackle from Matty Cash

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Tottenham are dealing with a range of injuries – including Micky Van de Ven

Tottenham and Aston Villa players held a minute’s applause following the death of Terry Venables

Spurs were already without James Maddison and Micky van de Ven until 2024 due to injury, while Cristian Romero is serving a suspension after being sent off against Chelsea earlier this month.

Sarr also emerged as a doubt and did not train on Friday, while young defender Ashley Phillips has been ruled out for up to a month having picked up a knock during the international break.

Sarr and Phillips’ setbacks are bad news for Tottenham as they look to bounce back from successive defeats before the international break.

Postecoglou’s side had topped the table in the opening weeks of the season, with the Australian winning three consecutive manager of the month awards in August, September and October.

But their losses against Chelsea and Wolves have seen them slip to fourth in the table.

If Sarr is unable to play, this could hand Oliver Skipp an opportunity to impress, having fallen down the pecking order in recent weeks.

Postecoglou has been pleased with Skipp’s efforts in training, and backed him to rise to the challenge if given a rare start.

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