The American secret weapon in Tyrone Mings’ fightback from 14-month injury hell with Aston Villa talisman finally ready to return
A journey that has lasted 14 months and spanned more than 21,000 miles may conclude this weekend with Tyrone Mings on the brink of returning to the Aston Villa squad.
Mings has been out of action since sustaining a serious knee injury at Newcastle on the opening day of the 2023-24 season. Villa lost 5-1 but the concerns for one of the squad’s natural leaders dominated their thoughts far more than the result.
Mings would not be human if he had not wondered, even if only for a short time, about whether he would ever play at the highest level again.
Because this was more than a damaged anterior cruciate ligament – which would have been bad enough. Mings had also torn the cartilage in his knee which meant he could not begin serious rehabilitation work on the ACL until November last year. The physical toll was one thing. The psychological strain quite another.
Unai Emery has never once wavered in his backing for Mings. Even when Mings was some way from completing his recovery, Emery wanted him involved with the first-team group. Apart from Emi Martinez and Mings, Villa’s is a relatively quiet squad.
Tyrone Mings is nearing a return to the Aston Villa squad after a 14-month injury lay-off
The 31-year-old has been out of action since sustaining a serious knee injury at Newcastle on the opening day of the 2023-24 season
Throughout the lengthy period, Unai Emery has never once wavered in his backing for Mings
That is why Mings has been in the changing room before recent matches, travelling to away games and attending Emery’s afternoon video sessions. Emery has wanted Mings to feel part of the process even when he could not be on the pitch.
Anyone who watched Villa during the 2020-21 season, when crowds were largely locked out due to the Covid-19 pandemic, will remember Mings’ booming tones echoing around the empty stands.
‘Don’t mind that, Cashy!’ he roared after watching Matty Cash haul Harvey Barnes back by his shorts during Villa’s 1-0 win at Leicester in October 2020. The memory is vivid of Mings bellowing ‘Ally! We need you!’ at the hapless Mbwana Samatta as Villa hung on for the point at West Ham that secured their top-flight survival the previous season.
Those recollections might even have helped sustain Mings as he contemplated his recovery. Long hours day after day at Villa’s Bodymoor Heath training ground. Grinding away in the gym, apart from the action, no longer wise to the in jokes. Fielding the same question. ‘How’s your knee, Ty?’
Luckily Mings had an escape route. When he suffered a similar injury while playing for Bournemouth, Mings headed across the Atlantic to the clinic of knee expert Bill Knowles. Knowles is hugely respected in US sports for his work with NFL and ice hockey stars and Mings headed for Knowles’ base in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, once again.
In his recovery, Mings has headed across the Atlantic to the clinic of knee expert Bill Knowles
Emery has kept the 31-year-old around the squad to help him feel part of the process
Knowles believes the mental impact of a serious knee injury is just as important as the physical. He believes those who have been through the experience before have an advantage because they understand what is required to return.
During his early meetings with athletes, Knowles will show them examples of peers who have recovered successfully from multiple setbacks. For those who have suffered before, Knowles will discuss the previous rehab process and try to find ways to improve it second time around.
Mings made three separate visits to Knowles’ clinic during this rehab period and he is said to be in excellent shape – in both mind and body. Had Emery asked him to play in the recent 1-0 win over Bayern Munich, Mings would have felt no qualms about doing so – though Emery would never have taken the risk. Mings has since played 45 minutes against Newcastle’s Under 21 side and an hour in a behind-closed-doors fixture against Sheffield Wednesday. The 31-year-old feels ready.
Emery values Mings so highly that he chose not to sign an extra centre-back during the summer. The Villa boss had his targets, notably Lutsharel Geertruida, but when the Netherlands defender joined RB Leipzig from Feyenoord instead, Emery stepped out of the ring. No point bringing in a defender just for the sake of it when he knew Mings was on his way back.
Mings made his long-awaited return in an Under 21s clash against Newcastle earlier this month
Emiliano Martinez and Mings are the most forceful personalities in Villa’s squad and key characters in the dressing room
It is a gamble, of course. If neither Mings nor Ezri Konsa is part of the back four, Villa look far more shaky, and Konsa could not play for England during the recent international break after injuring a hamstring in the 0-0 draw with Manchester United.
Despite his optimism, it would be a stretch for Mings to step back into a high-level match immediately and show no rustiness.
That is why he is unlikely to return to the starting XI in either of the next three games: at Fulham on Saturday, Bologna in the Champions League on Tuesday, or against Bournemouth at Villa Park on October 26. The Carabao Cup tie against Crystal Palace on October 30 looks ideal, however.
Though John McGinn wears the armband, Martinez and Mings are the most forceful personalities in Emery’s squad. And with Villa chasing success on four fronts, Emery is delighted finally to be able to call on them both.
