Dean Smith benched Tyrone Mings against West Ham as it was the ‘right decision’, but has seen a reaction from the Aston Villa captain ahead of facing Southampton, via BBC Sport.
The Villans boss made a shock call to drop Mings for the Hammers’ visit to Birmingham last week. Smith had started the centre-half in eight of the Villa Park outfit’s prior nine Premier League fixtures this season. Only missing August’s draw with Brentford through a rib injury.
But Mings could not stop Aston Villa from losing to Tottenham Hotspur, Wolves or Arsenal before facing West Ham. Against whom, he featured for the final 38-minutes following Ezri Konsa’s red card with the score already 2-1 to the Hammers, but would end 4-1.
Reports by The Athletic after the West Ham game claimed Mings was ‘furious’ that Smith had dropped him from the Aston Villa line-up, a decision he was aware of 24-hours before kick-off. He also cut a dejected figure while warming up and on the bench last weekend.
Smith admits it was a ‘big call’ to drop Mings, but adds “it was the right decision at the time to go and win a football match. He was disappointed, of course. He took it as the person he is and will be looking to get his form on track. There’s been a reaction from all the players.”
Should Smith recall Mings to Aston Villa defence vs Southampton?
Mings will hope Smith recalls him to the Aston Villa defence when they visit Southampton on Friday night. Defeat at St Mary’s will mark five-in-a-row in the Premier League, and potentially put Smith’s future in question.
Konsa’s suspension will aid Mings’ chances of a return, but the 28-year-old was not at peak form before being axed. The £80k–a-week centre-back has given away needless free-kicks, been indecisive, sloppy on the ball and failed to show leadership at crucial moments.
He also could not stop West Ham scoring twice in four-minutes at the end of the Villans’ latest loss. But Smith has seen a positive response, so is unlikely to hesitate recalling Mings for Aston Villa’s trip to Southampton.
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