Unai Emery told make Tyrone Mings decision after Aston Villa injury developments
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery will have to manage Tyrone Mings’ minutes as he closes in on a return from injury, according to Alan Hutton.
The England international missed almost the entirety of last season with an ACL injury sustained on the opening weekend of the Premier League season as the Villans were beaten 5-1 by Newcastle United.
While the 31-year-old hasn’t featured in Villa’s pre-season matches, Emery’s side are understood to be hopeful that Mings will return to the first-team fold towards the end of September as he steps up his recovery [Birmingham Live, 8 August].
Although Hutton believes the centre-back will be chomping at the bit to return to the starting XI, he thinks Mings will have to be patient as he looks to earn his place in Emery’s side in the coming weeks.
“Of course, it’s going to be difficult,” Hutton exclusively told Villa News.
“I’ve played alongside him so I know what he’s like as a character, he works extremely hard and he’s a leader.
“I remember not that long ago when he was playing, you can actually hear him shout when the stadium is full so he’s that type of guy and I’m sure he’ll be doing that in the background and helping everybody.
“The one thing that you have to be careful of is that they need to really manage his minutes when he gets back.
“I know he’d be desperate to play if he’s back in September, but you saw when Virgil van Dijk came back from his ACL, it took him a little bit of time to get up to speed and I think it will be the same with him.
“So he has to be patient and when he’s ready, he can come back into the fold. I’m sure the manager will use him, but there are plenty of options there.
“He’s got time on his side to ease him back in.”
Is Tyrone Mings still injured amid Aston Villa transfer updates?
As Hutton suggests, there is no need for Emery to rush Mings back into the fold as soon as he returns to full fitness, because he has plenty of alternative options at his disposal ready to fill the void left by the defender.
Pau Torres and Ezri Konsa were both excellent as the Villans booked their place in the top four last season and unless a big-money signing is made in the next few days, they will almost certainly start against West Ham United.
Unless Emery’s side suffers another injury crisis, that pair should be able to hold down the fort until Mings is completely ready to step into the fold, whether that be at the end of September or any later in the campaign.
In other Aston Villa news, the Villans have responded to a transfer offer from Fulham for Diego Carlos amid exit speculation
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