OPINION
It is no exaggeration to say that Tyrone Mings had a transformative effect on Aston Villa last season.
Dean Smith’s men were well off the pace when he arrived from Bournemouth in January, and it’s no coincidence that they really kicked on after he signed.
Obviously the defender wasn’t the only factor in the marvellous run that took them all the way to the Championship play-offs and then up to the Premier League itself, but he certainly helped a whole lot.
The 26-year-old made an average of 1.2 interceptions and 4.3 clearances per game during his spell at Villa Park [Whoscored] and the stats show just how well he reads and anticipates the game around him.
Having him return to the Cherries will come as a big blow for Villa, but there should still be some hope of landing him after it was reported by Football Insider that he wishes to quit the Premier League club this summer.
The problem with that is that his performances will have attracted the attention of more than just the Midlands club.
And the latest comments from BBC Leeds pundit Noel Whelan will surely have many Villa fans fuming.
Speaking to Football Insider, he said: “Tyrone Mings has been at a Premier League club for a while now and just not really given the opportunity.
“We saw last season, playing for Aston Villa, what a difference he made. He was that missing piece as far as I’m concerned – they were scoring goals but leaking too many. Since he came in there was a different attitude and a different steeliness about that Aston Villa back four.
“He’s a leader, he’s dangerous in attacking situations, very aggressive in defence – I’d love to have him at Leeds United.”
Losing out on Mings would be a stinging blow as it is, but losing out on him to a side in the division Villa have just escaped from would be even worse.
Given the choice, you would assume that the 6’3” colossus [Transfermarkt] would favour a permanent switch to Villa Park, but Whelan’s comments show the level of interest there is likely to be in snapping him up this summer.
Villa fans should be very wary.