Dean Ashton has urged Aston Villa to sign Tyrone Mings on a permanent basis from Bournemouth in the summer transfer window after an impressive loan spell in the second-half of this season.
Other than maybe Jack Grealish, Mings has been one of the most important players in Villa’s revival to help them seal fifth place in the table and set up a mouthwatering play-off semi-final against West Brom.
EFL on Quest pundit Ashton has told Football League World that he has been impressed by the 26-year-old defender’s form and that might be why it will be hard for Aston Villa to snap him up in the next transfer window.
When asked by Football League World if Villa should sign Mings, Ashton said: “Absolutely yes, when he first came in, the lack of defensive options was clear and arguably, Mings has been their best player besides Jack Grealish and John McGinn since he came in.
“Probably because of his injuries at Bournemouth, we’ve not really seen the best of him there and maybe we’re seeing it at Villa.
“I think he’s been absolutely outstanding for them in the great run they’ve been on, but as always, with these types of players, it’s really difficult to get them permanently because I’m sure he wants to go back to Bournemouth and give that a real go.”
OPINION
Ashton is spot on here because Aston Villa need to improve their defence in the summer, whether they are in the Premier League or not. Mings has been absolutely fantastic at the back for Dean Smith’s side and it speaks volumes that the Villans have lost just two of their 15 Championship fixtures with him on the pitch. Smith definitely had the right idea when he rested Mings for the clash with Norwich on the final day of the regular season on Sunday. He should be fully fit and raring to go to play against West Brom in the play-off semi-finals over the next week. The Baggies are one of the two teams that have beaten Aston Villa while Mings has played this season so he will no doubt be chomping at the bit to get his revenge. Regardless of whether Villa win promotion or not, they should absolutely try to sign the £14,000-a-week [Spotrac] defender from Bournemouth.