Aston Villa will be looking to finish the season in the play-off places when they return from the international break.
BBC Sport pundit Garry Thompson has been left in awe of the performances Bournemouth loanee Tyrone Mings has been putting in for Aston Villa in recent weeks.
The 26-year-old moved to Villa Park on a temporary loan in January, with Thompson claiming that he is the type of centre-back who would ‘tell people what to do’.
In recent weeks, Dean Smith’s side have turned their promotion fortunes around, winning their last four matches and moving up to sixth in the table.
Speaking to BBC Radio West Midlands Football Phone-In (19/03/2019 at 13m), former Villa striker Thompson was full of praise for what Mings has brought to the table.
“From the moment he turned up you just looked at him, and I know he’s physically imposing, but he’s a man,” Thompson told BBC Radio WM. “And he’s a man that would tell people if they are not doing their job. He does his job, but he lets other people know as well.
“There aren’t too many leaders around. People talk about John Terry last year, you look at Mings and you think that’s a man who’ll organise people and tell people what to do.
“They gain strength from him being around. He’s been magnificent. And I think if we get anywhere near going up, we have got to try and keep him.”
There is no doubt that for large parts of the season, Villa have struggled defensively, with a lack of balance, depth, injuries and quality playing its part.
But it is fair to say that since walking through the doors two months ago, Mings has been one of the club’s standout performers from a defensive standpoint.
Mings has looked towering, imposing and clam at the heart of the Villa’s defence. Added with that, he has helped improve the performances of others around him.
After the international break, Smith will be hoping his team can continue their winning run, with a home clash against Blackburn Rovers awaiting them.
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