Jan Paul van Hecke lays into Tottenham signing after Aston Villa loss: 'It’s smarter to kick the ball out'

With Spurs down to 10 men due to captain Micky van de Ven being off the pitch for a minute after receiving medical attention, the former Liverpool left-back kept the ball in play, rather than conceding a corner, but only succeeded in handing Villa back possession.

Seconds later, Johan Manzambi had put the visitors 1-0 up.

As per Sport Witness, Van Hecke told Dutch publication, Algemeen Dagblad, that Roberton the wrong decision

“It couldn’t get any worse,” he said. “You know you’re down to 10 men. Then it’s smarter to kick the ball out, so you can wait until Micky gets back.”

Error: Andy Robertson

Getty

“The way the energy drained away from the team is simply not right.”

De Zerbi will hope the international break has come at the right time for his squad, who next face Manchester United at Old Trafford on October 10.

Van Hecke, meanwhile, has departed for duty with the Netherlands, who play their Nations League opener against arch rivals Germany on Thursday.