Tottenham injury curse strikes again as Pedro Porro forced off vs Aston Villa

Roberto De Zerbi was forced to make an early change during Tottenham Hotspur's clash against Aston Villa on Saturday afternoon.

Pedro Porro suffered an injury during Tottenham Hotspur's clash against Aston Villa. The Lilywhites defender, who's only recently returned to action following a spell on the sidelines with a 'small muscular problem', was forced to come off midway through the first half on Saturday afternoon.

Upon hitting the deck, Porro hunched over while on his knees, burying his head in the turf. The Spain international then slammed his fists into the ground in frustration before signalling to the referee that he required medical attention.

After receiving some treatment, Porro was eventually helped to his feet. The 27-year-old hobbled off the pitch, making way for Archie Gray, who's featured at right-back in each of his five appearances for Spurs before the game despite being a midfielder by trade.

Last month, Roberto De Zerbi named the Tottenham star as an option in the backline, but acknowledged that he prefers to play in the middle of the park. Speaking to reporters ahead of the opening weekend of the new Premier League season, the Lilywhites boss discussed Gray's role in the squad.

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"Right-back is, I think in this moment, one, maybe the best, maybe one of the three best right backs in the world [in Pedro Porro]," said De Zerbi. "In the left-back we have [Destiny] Udogie and [Andy] Robertson, and both are big, big level, and if you don't want to stay anymore in Tottenham, in a big club, you have to leave."

He continued: "In this moment, I think no, we have Archie Gray. He prefers playing in the midfield position, but he can play very well also as a right-back. I think we are good.

"I don't want 25, 26 players, I want 21, 22 players, I think that's enough, especially if these players or more players, they can adapt in more positions on the pitch.

"I think we have many players who can play in different positions. Gray: midfielder, right back. Gallagher: number 10 or number 8. It's the same Micky van de Ven or Ben Davies left back.

"I think we have Mhammed Kudus: winger or number 10. We have a lot of solutions."

Then, back in May, De Zerbi tipped Gray as 'a future Tottenham captain'. The Italian said: "He is very young, [but] big potential as a player. I think he can become the future.

"I am sure he can become the future of this club and the captain of this club. He has to understand better what will be his position on the pitch.

"He can play in a lot of positions, but maybe I would like him to be more specific in one position. We are working on that, in individual meetings with individual clips.

"For me and any way he is an important player..."