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

Dutch defender also labels Tottenham’s start to season as “unacceptable”

Jan Paul van Hecke has delivered some stinging criticism of Tottenham’s start to the season, taking aim at team-mate Andy Robertson in the process.

The Dutchman, who arrived at the club from Brighton is a £52million deal in the summer, says the way Spurs are playing is “unacceptable” as they remain without a Premier League win.

In fact, a 3-2 home defeat to Aston Villa, coupled with results from elsewhere at the weekend, saw Roberto De Zerbi’s side sink to the foot of the table and all is not well in the camp, judging by Van Hecke’s comments.

He appeared to turn on fellow defender Robertson, whose error led to Aston Villa’s opening goal on Saturday.

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.”

Speaking generally about Spurs’ winless start, which has come despite a £300m summer spending spree, Van Hecke admitted: “We had imagined it would be different. The way we play and concede goals is unacceptable.

“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.