Former Aston Villa striker tips West Ham United to make move for Villa defender

Former Aston Villa striker Darren Bent has tipped West Ham United to possibly make a move for ex-Villa captain Tyrone Mings before the transfer window shuts on September 1.

Mings was left out of the claret and blue’s opening day defeat to Bournemouth after being stripped of the captaincy earlier that week and there has been musings about potential unrest in the Villa camp.

Unrest or not, though, Bent claims that any team that are currently in need of a centre-back will be looking at the current situation and maybe beginning to ready a ‘little bid’ for the defender.

“When I look at Tyrone Mings, certainly last season it wasn’t his best season by any stretch of the imagination,” he told talkSPORT.

“I think when they got him in 2019, he was one of the key factors. I think they would have got promoted anyway because they were a good side but he was one of the ones that helped Aston VIlla get out of the Championship under Dean Smith, played really really well.

“He’s an England international, got himself in the national team and done very well for England at times. Maybe last season he just lost his way a bit. Defensively not as assured as I’ve seen him before, not as comfortable on the ball so maybe there is something else going on.

“If I’m a team that needs a centre-half and he’s available, I’d go and get him. I think you have to.

“He’s an international, he’s a lefty as well so gives you balance on the left-hand-side.

“West Ham look like they are going to lose Diop to Fulham, they are short of a couple of centre-halves. It wouldn’t surprise me if someone tempts Aston Villa with a little bid for Tyrone Mings. It’s a World Cup year and he’s going to want to play.”