Lots of Aston Villa fans have been reacting to a recent post on Twitter by Tyrone Mings, as the one-cap England international reflected on his career.
Mings joined the Villans from AFC Bournemouth in the summer for £20million (BBC) following a successful half-season loan spell at Villa Park, where he helped them to a run of form that led to triumph in the Play-Off Final at Wembley.
The 26-year-old centre-back has since remained a regular of Dean Smith’s plans, with the Bath-born defender one of only four Villa players to have featured for each available minute in the Premier League so far this season (WhoScored).
He is also the only one of the Claret & Blue side’s defenders to have participated in the entirety of the nine league games played thus far, with midfielders Jack Grealish and John McGinn and goalkeeper Tom Heaton the only others to have been permanent fixtures of Smith’s preferred eleven.
Mings’ efforts in Birmingham also helped the 6 ft 4 centre-back to earn a maiden Three Lions cap under Gareth Southgate earlier this month, when he helped to a 6-0 win against Bulgaria (TransferMarkt) in a game overshadowed by racial abuse (BBC).
Villa supporters are seemingly in no doubt over Mings’ talents and worthiness of that maiden cap, as they have shared multiple messages lauding the former Yate Town man as a ‘superb talent’ and noting that they are ‘so proud’ he plays for their club because he is a ‘role model’.
From his nine Premier League appearances this season, Mings has won each of his two attempted tackles and is averaging 1.1 interceptions, 7.2 clearances, 2.1 shots blocked and 4.7 aerial duels per ninety minutes, according to data collected by WhoScored.
@llewellyn_art . What a talent you are!! This is unbelievable!!
— Rich Bolter (@RichBolter) October 22, 2019
Superb talent! ??
— Jonty Bonty (@bonty_jonty) October 22, 2019
You really are a role model and I’m so proud you play for Aston Villa
— Simon (@SimonSimonwelby) October 22, 2019
Wonderful work of art and something I’m sure you’re immensely proud to see ?
Just goes to show what an inspiration you are to so many, fully deserving of your plaudits sir. ?
Kinda hope the Villa kit will be the last club top you wear though ? # VillanForLife
— Matthew Pear (@MatthewPear1) October 22, 2019
What a player, what a story and what a work of art that pic is????
— MrAVFClive (@PrideOfMids) October 22, 2019
As well as lauding Mings for his talents, some Villa fans have focused on another aspect of the defender’s recent post on Twitter, by suggesting the 26-year-old joined the final club of his career when he joined them permanently in the summer.
Mings’ post celebrating his career included nods towards his spells with Southampton and Bristol City’s academies, time in non-league football with Yate Town and Chippenham, and subsequent professional stints with Ipswich and Bournemouth before moving to Villa Park, as well as his maiden England cap.
Each club you’ve played for and will ever play for*
— reegan (@reeganavfc) October 22, 2019
Wow! Glad it’s finished forever now! ?
— The Villa Decree ???????? (@TheVillaDecree) October 22, 2019
One of the most overriding responses shared to Mings post was not to do with the defender himself, though, as many Villa fans voiced their admiration of the artwork created by Del Llewellyn.
The Chippenham-based self-employed artist’s piece has been described as ‘brilliant’, ‘unreal’, and ‘incredible’ by some of the Villa Park faithful, while others have suggested Llewellyn should make prints of the piece available for purchase.
Brilliant – should be prints available
— tony teebee symonds (@TonyTeebee) October 23, 2019
Unreal ?
— Skorge ??????? #Gears5 (@GearsofSkorge) October 22, 2019
Incredible piece of work ?
— Rustle Lee (@TheRustleMania) October 22, 2019
That’s impressive, I’d like one.
— David Green (@DavidGr31273888) October 22, 2019
That’s incredible. If you take commissions, my work history covers ASDA, Waterstones and NatWest Bank.
— Dani ??? (@beds_villafan) October 22, 2019