Afforded less than 20 minutes of normal time on the pitch, the Welsh winger was unable to save his side from collapsing in Wednesday’s outing.
Gareth Bale decided “it was best for him and his body not to start” in Tottenham’s match against Aston Villa.
Bale started on the bench as Steven Bergwijn was handed a rare start in Tottenham’s 37th Premier League match of the season.
Bergwijn made the most of his opportunity as he put his side on the front foot within just the first ten minutes. Spurs, however, conceded one not too long after and then another. The first half ended 2-1 and as did the game.
Speaking after the match, Ryan Mason revealed Bale couldn’t start another game in quick succession after playing 89 minutes in Sunday’s 2-0 win over Wolves.
“Gareth played the best part of 90 minutes at the weekend, the most he’s played all season in the Premier League,” the Tottenham interim manager told Sky Sports ahead of the game.
“Gareth is an experienced man and he knows his body. We spoke and he felt it was best for him and his body not to start today. That’s all there is.
“The players who have come in are ready to come in, and there’s also players on the bench who have been training well and are ready also.”
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