Romero out with minor adductor injury as Spurs lose 2-1 to Villa

Cristian Romero pulled up during Tottenham’s prematch warmup and was forced out of the starting lineup for Sunday’s Premier League game against Aston Villa at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, the club said, with Kevin Danso drafted in to partner Micky van de Ven as Spurs went on to lose 2-1. The Argentine centreback’s late withdrawal handed the Spurs armband to van de Ven and came on a day when Tottenham missed the chance to climb the table, conceding a 77th minute winner to Emi Buendia after Rodrigo Bentancur’s early strike had put the hosts ahead.

Manager Thomas Frank described Romero’s problem after the match as a minor adductor injury. "He felt a little bit the past few days. We expected him to be fine but he wasn't. I don't think it is too big," Frank said, offering cautious optimism ahead of a busy run of fixtures that includes a Champions League trip to Monaco midweek.

Romero had been a near everpresent under Frank, having started every Premier League match until Sunday after being named club captain following Heung-min Son’s departure. Since joining in 2021 he has, however, struggled with recurring fitness problems. Club records show he has undergone 10 separate injury...