Argentinian football star Ossie Ardiles thanks Falklanders for ‘world class’ care as he recovers from horror smash involving former Spurs team-mate Ricky Villa

Ardiles, 61, believed to have been making a TV documentary

Villa, also 61, not believed to have been injured in the accident

Ardiles, however, was airlifted to hospital in Stanley

World Cup winner and former Spurs star Ossie Ardiles has thanked the people of the Falklands for helping him and former team mate Ricky Villa as they recover from a car accident.



The ex-footballer crashed into a sheep while in driving in the Falklands last night, leaving the hire car battered and blood-splattered and the 61-year-old Argentinian needing 20 stitches to the head.

Ardiles was believed to have been in the Falklands making a television documentary with former Spurs team mate Ricky Villa, also 61.

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Spurred on: Ossie Ardiles and Ricky Villa pictured recovering in hospital on The Falkland Islands after being pulled from the mangled hire car

The hire car Ricardo Villa and Osvaldo Ardiles were using in the Falklands covered with what is believed to be sheep's blood The aftermath: Ossie Ardiles suffered a major head injury and is now recovering in a Falklands Island hospital This morning the motor was removed from the scene with what is believed to be the blood of the animal on the outside. In a statement released from the Falkland Islands Government, Ardiles said: 'Thank you to everyone in the Islands who has helped, without exception.

'From the moment of the accident, the attention and care we have received from the police, the RAF helicopter team, the doctors and nurses here has been world class. RELATED ARTICLES Previous

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It is thought Ardiles was behind the wheel and swerved to avoid a sheep. He suffered a blow to the head and was airlifted to hospital. Villa was not believed to have been injured. South Atlantic News Agency reported that Ardiles was taken to King Edward Memorial Hospital in Stanley, the capital of the Falklands. The extent of his injuries was unknown but a nurse at the hospital described Ardiles as 'fine'. Feeling better: Ex-footballer Ossie Ardiles was treated for head injuries and is now recovering Ricardo Villa and Osvaldo Ardiles pictured together in the Falklands before the crash The car is believed to have overturned during the accident, killing the animal and leaving Ardiles needing 20 stitches to the head Mangled: The hire car was left twisted when it was recovered this morning Speaking from home in England, his son Pablo told BBC Sport: 'My understanding is he is fine. He has 20 odd stitches in his head and my understanding is he has been hospitalised overnight. But he's fine.' Ardiles and Villa are in the Falkland Islands for a TV documentary which Ardiles' other son, who was in the car, is directing.

Four passengers have been released from hospital after treatment for minor injuries with three others detained.

'Ricky Villa and my brother were out there but they are OK and are back in the hotel,' added Pablo.

In hospital: Ossie Ardiles (right) playing for Tottenham Hotspur against West Bromwich Albion Osvaldo Ardiles pictured in his Tottenham Hotspur shirt (left) soon after he, and international team-mate Ricky Villa, joined Spurs in 1978. Pictured (right), Ardiles attends the Professional Footballers' Association Awards at London's Grosvenor House Hotel in 2010

All at Club wish Ossie Ardiles and Ricky Villa speedy recovery after they were involved in a car accident in the Falklands last night. — Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) January 21, 2014



Overseas stars: Ossie Ardiles and Ricardo Villa outside Wembley before the 1981 FA Cup final

'I don't know the exact details but I understand my dad was driving and that he lost control somehow. I've heard reports he swerved to avoid a sheep but I can't confirm that.



'The main thing is he is fine, they are all OK.'

Both players were part of the Argentina side that won the 1978 World Cup on home soil. They then headed to London to join Spurs and were part of the team that won the FA Cup in 1981.



I'm Ossie's daughter in law, unbelievable amount of support for him. Thanks so much everyone. — Aimee Ardiles (@aimeeardiles) January 21, 2014

Ricky Villa chats with Ossie Ardiles during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Southampton at White Hart Lane in April

Tottenham Hotspur's Ossie Ardiles and Ricardo Villa celebrate victory in the FA Cup over Manchester City in 1981 FA Cup winners: Ricky Villa and Ossie Ardiles at Wembley in 1981

Meanwhile, Argentina news site m1nutuono reported the duo were travelling with six others when the vehicle lost control and overturned at around 9pm local time.

'Ardiles and Villa had to be rescued by a military helicopter... four of the injured were discharged and three remain under observation,' the site said.

Ardiles, who also played for Paris Saint-Germain and Blackburn, and Villa were part of the 1978 World Cup winning Argentina side on home soil and both won the 1981 FA Cup with Spurs.

Both Ardiles and Villas' careers in England were curtailed by the Falklands War because of anti-Argentinian feelings at the time. The documentary they were filming is believed to be about how the conflict affected them.



In June 1982, Spurs placed Ardiles briefly on loan to Paris St Germain before he returned.

Ardiles spent a decade at the north London club before going on to have spells with Blackburn, QPR and Swindon Town.

