Tyrone Mings has gone from Aston Villa outcast under Steven Gerrard to a key player and one of the top earners after signing a new deal under Unai Emery… the centre back is here to stay and may regain the armband one day
From fearing for his future to being made one of his club’s top earners in the space of three months, Tyrone Mings has proved he should never be underestimated.
The Aston Villa centre-back has signed a new three-and-a-half-year deal that pushes him close to goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez at the top of the club’s pay scale, after convincing manager Unai Emery early on that he could play a significant role in his long-term plans.
Mings is a self-assured man yet the endorsement of a proven coach like Emery was exactly the boost he needed.
Former boss Steven Gerrard let it be known early on that he did not rate Mings and was open to selling him last summer.
He then stripped him of the captaincy on the eve of the new season, before questioning the 29-year-old’s attitude after an opening-day defeat at Bournemouth – a game in which the injured Mings did not play.
Tyrone Mings is back to being a key man at Aston Villa after signing a new long-term contract
New manager Unai Emery (pictured) has quickly made the defender a key part of his plans
Emery has taken a different view. Mings has been a fixture under the Spaniard and midway through last month, it became clear that Villa were keen to improve his terms, with Mings’ previous deal due to expire at the end of next season. From there, agreement was reached relatively quickly.
‘Since the day I arrived, this has always been the place for me & I’m really happy to extend my contract here,’ Mings tweeted. ‘Thank you for all of your support over the last 4 years & I’m excited to see what we can still achieve together.’
Mings’ style will always divide opinion yet his importance to Villa was clear as they produced a shapeless defensive display in his absence…