Dan Bardell: Harry Maguire for World Cup over Aston Villa defender Tyrone Mings a farce
We’re delighted to welcome The Athletic’s Dan Bardell as our exclusive Aston Villa columnist each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at the club…
Harry Maguire going to the World Cup with England over Aston Villa defender Tyrone Mings is a “farce” according to Dan Bardell.
The Villans man missed out on Gareth Southgate’s squad despite playing all but two games all season while the Manchester United captain has missed 11 games so far this year through a combination of injury and being dropped by Erik ten Hag.
Bardell believes that Mings is far better suited to playing on the left of a back three, and has had a better campaign in general, so would pick him to go to Qatar if it was his decision.
Speaking exclusively to Villa News he said: “He’d be in mine, but I think Southgate’s got reservations about him, he hasn’t been in the last couple of squads.
“For me I think it’s an absolute farce that Harry Maguire would be going over Tyrone Mings, especially if they are playing with a back three and Maguire’s going to be playing on that left-hand side.
“I don’t think he’s suitable for it at all, but you’ve got a left-footed centre-half who has played very well for England, never let them down, he’s got a fantastic record, playing well for Villa and been in the team for the majority of the season.
“Yes he made a mistake in the Chelsea game, but other than that he’s been on really good form.
“I don’t understand why you wouldn’t take him.
“It’s a shame because I’ve got a massive amount of time for Tyrone Mings, I want to see him playing well for Villa and England as well.”
Southgate has proven to be a creature of habit with his team selections during the period he has been in charge, and for the most part he has been proven right, with two of the best tournament performances in recent memory.
But it is a great shame for Mings to miss out, as he has been one of Aston Villa’s most important players again this season despite the upheaval of losing the captaincy under Steven Gerrard and the general struggles of the team under the former manager.
He is sure to feature for his country again but will be bitterly disappointed to miss out on the World Cup.
In other Aston Villa news, Boubacar Kamara and Lucas Digne miss out for France after injury.