Aston Villa man ready to 'roll back the years' after more injury woe

Tyrone Mings has declared himself ready to “roll back the years” and play as emergency left-back if required for Villa.

Boss Unai Emery is facing a headache after Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who was deputising in the position following injuries to Ian Maatsen and Matteo Ruggeri, suffered a hamstring injury in Saturday’s win at Newcastle.

That meant Mings, who started his career at full-back, finished the match in that position.

Though Maatsen is due to return to training this week, the 33-year-old could be needed again in the short-term as Emery tries to fill the gap in his line-up.

Villa host Viking in the Champions League on Wednesday and Mings quipped: “I felt like I should cut my dreads off and roll back the years!

“I hurt my hip as soon as I went there, high up the pitch. I got a bit excited thinking I was going to shoot from the edge of the box and it just didn’t come to fruition.

“But it is fine. The manager asked me in midweek how I feel about it, if it is required because Aaron has put in a huge shift.

“If there was a stretcher option available for him in the second half, I think he might have taken it!

“It summarises what the group is like. If someone drops out, someone will cover. If someone is struggling, someone will step in.”

Mings, who began his career in non-league, has not started a match at left-back since leaving Ipswich and joining Bournemouth for £8million in 2015.

But Villa’s second-longest serving current player is determined to help in whatever way he can.

“The subs made a huge impact on Saturday so yeah, it was different but also enjoyable,” he continued.

“They (Newcastle) went long in the period I was at left-back so I was able to help out.

“I think every manager would like a six foot five left-back defending at the back post in those situations.”

Saturday’s clean sheet was just Villa’s second in the Premier League this season, after Emery’s men had conceded two goals in each of the previous three top flight matches.

The manager reserved particular praise for Mings’ central defensive partner Victor Lindelof, who has been handed the task of replacing Ezri Konsa in the backline.

Emery believes Villa’s £30m summer signing Taylor Harwood-Bellis, who is yet to feature for them in the league, will benefit from watching the Sweden international work.

“He is a fantastic guy, a fantastic professional and fantastic player.

“He has experience and is playing Saturday, Wednesday, Saturday, whether it is with us or his national team.

“It is a very good example because I believe when we will need Taylor, he is going to play in the same way as Lindelof.

“Why? Because I think he has the same qualities and Lindelof is a very good example for him, how he is playing.

“He is watching him every day in training and in matches. When his time comes to play, he will feel confident.”