Jan Paul van Hecke injury for Brighton at Aston Villa explained
Aston Villa vs Brighton in the Premier League from Villa Park - Wednesday, 7.30pm
The sight of Jan Paul van Hecke hobbling off at Aston Villa will be a huge concern for Brighton.
The Dutch international defender returned to the starting XI after missing the 1-0 loss to Crystal Palace with a hamstring issue.
Van Hecke, 25, lasted an hour at Villa Park before he was forced off and appeared to be holding his left leg before he was replaced by Olivier Boscagli.
Head coach Fabian Hurzeler said: “We know that he could not play for 90 minutes, so that was the normal procedure.
“We had to take him out after 60, 65. That was the maximum of his playing time, what he was capable of doing.
“So therefore we knew that we have to take him off.”
Van Hecke has been a vital player for Brighton this term and had been an ever present prior to his injury for the Palace match.
Hurzeler previously said to Sussex World that “he hoped” Van Hecke would be fit to face Villa but clearly the defender was not quite right.
He did though produce a typically combative display in the first half and was booked on 41 minutes after a heated clash with Villa keeper Emi Martinez.
Van Hecke will now be a major doubt for their FA Cup fourth round clash against Liverpool at Anfield this Saturday.
Brighton’s next Premier League fixture is at Brentford on February 21.