If Tottenham Hotspur fans didn’t know Eric Dier’s value to their team (and they probably did), last Thursday’s thrashing at Borussia Dortmund, from which Dier was absent, illustrated does how important he is to Mauricio Pochettino’s side.

He was back in action for yesterday’s 0-2 win over Aston Villa at Villa Park, and the travelling Spurs fans were full of appreciation for their deep-lying midfielder. In fact, they were quite literally singing his praises.

To the tune of Land of Hope and Glory, Spurs fans sang: ” I love Eric Dier, Eric Dier loves me.”