Richard Keys make ‘Mings 1 Gerrard 0’ claim after Aston Villa win v Everton
Aston Villa chalked up their first three points of the new season on Saturday with a crucial 2-1 win at home to Frank Lampard’s Everton.
Danny Ings and Emiliano Buendia got themselves on the scoresheet for the Villans before Lucas Digne put through his own goal to make it a nervy end in the Midlands.
But perhaps the biggest talking point was the re-introduction of defender Tyrone Mings after the England international was left out of the team for the opening day defeat away at Bournemouth.
That came after Steven Gerrard removed Mings as club captain in favour of John McGinn and Richard Keys thinks the Villa manager had to bring him back in to have a chance of winning.
“It was interesting to see Gerrard restore Tyrone Mings to his defence,” Keys said on his blog. “He had to. Villa had to win that game. Mings 1 Gerrard 0. What happens next will be interesting.”
Number one
Whether the 29-year-old dons the captain’s armband or not, he is the first-choice central defender for Aston Villa as was proved against the Toffees on Saturday.
Diego Carlos’ injury now leaves Gerrard a man down at centre-half which will probably see Ezri Konsa reunite with Mings in the heart of the Villans team.
The partnership seemed to work fairly well last season even if it wasn’t the best defensive record in the Premier League and there is still time to go out and make another new signing before the transfer window closes.
But it is refreshing to see a manager willing to accept his mistakes and backtrack on a decision because it is not something that should be shamed like the media often try to.
Mings’ name should be one of the very first on the teamsheet every single week from now on and even when Carlos is back from his injury layoff, he has to prove his worth before Konsa can be dropped.
In other Aston Villa news, Buendia has to be the main man at Villa Park but Gerrard will need to drop one of his favourites to make it happen.