Unai Emery reveals Tyrone Mings 'difficulty' after Aston Villa defender shines on Premier League return

Emery couldn’t be prouder of Mings, who made his first Premier League appearance since suffering a serious knee injury away at Newcastle United last August.

A surprise starter at left centre-back in place of Pau Torres, Mings put on an assured display to help Villa to their first victory in nine matches. The Villans’ second period was far from pretty but three first-half goals from Morgan Rogers, Ollie Watkins and Matty Cash were enough for a 3-1 victory over the Bees.

Villa Park collectively cheered every time Mings made a defensive contribution or one of his trademark cross-field passes, deservedly so given the defender’s hardship over the last year and a quarter. Emery, just as proud of Mings as the supporters, had plenty to say about his number five in the post-match press conference.

“Fantastic, fantastic Tyrone Mings. He played matches in the Carabao Cup and Champions League but in the Premier League it was the first match in one year and three months,” Emery said.

“I think he played fantastic, he was helping us in our box defending and clearing some important balls. He was as well in their box on set pieces threatening them. I think it’s important how he’s again recovering his good form like today he did. He’s going to be very tired tomorrow!”

Mings played so well under the lights on Wednesday night that Emery might be tempted to start him ahead of Pau once again at the weekend, when Villa play host to Southampton. There will be an element of caution, however, as Mings needs to gradually build up starts to avoid future fitness woes.

On the tough times Mings endured, Emery added: “It was very, very long the injury he had. He had difficulties with his injury but more or less the time he spent out with us was normal. In his process, he was not being consistent - sometimes he was progressing but sometimes he was stopping.

“Of course, with very good work and hard work with him he was being very passionate to do each step, sometimes not clearly, but being passionate. His comeback is fantastic for him, for everybody, for the doctors, the physios.

“I think he’s training every day consistently, he’s not stopping. Two months ago, he needed to train two days and one stopping to feel good and strong in his knee again. But in the last month, he’s being consistent, not stopping and playing some matches. We are very happy for him.”