Richard Keys hails ‘terrific’ Aston Villa defender Tyrone Mings
Aston Villa surprised many as they held reigning champions Manchester City to a 1-1 draw at Villa Park and Richard Keys was among them.
Leon Bailey scored perhaps the most important goal of his short career in the Midlands to equalise after Erling Haaland’s opener and it could have been even more if Philippe Coutinho had not been robbed of his first goal of the season.
Prior to the game, Steven Gerrard was under significant pressure having overseen a slow start to the season but he earned some credit back by causing problems for Pep Guardiola yet again.
But it was the defensive performance of one Tyrone Mings that really caught Keys’ eye on Saturday evening as the England international continued to prove his critics wrong with a strong display.
“Steven Gerrard survived City’s visit. I’m pleased. I thought Villa gave it a go – and Mings was terrific,” Keys said in his weekly blog as he discussed those under pressure.
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Even after everything that has been said of him by his manager and the media, Mings has come through it and proved to everyone that he is an exceptional defender when he is at his best.
Gerrard must have realised his mistake on the opening day at Bournemouth and to be fair to the Liverpudlian he has backtracked on his initial stance and admitted he was wrong and there is no shame in that.
Villa look far more secure when the loud yet calm Mings is marshalling the back four and Diego Carlos’ long-term injury has almost been a blessing for Gerrard who now has fewer decisions to make with the defensive duo.
Ezri Konsa has a good relationship with the England international and looks ten times better when alongside him and the full-backs have a lot more trust too.
This result has to be one that the whole club builds on before Gerrard comes under even more pressure.