Has Tyrone Mings proven Aston Villa fans wrong?

Tyrone Mings continues to play a key role in the Aston Villa squad this season.

The ex-England international has cut a divisive figure for several years now in B6.

No one can take away from what he means to this club after initially signing on loan seven years ago.

The centre-back has been a well-loved member of the squad from Championship to Champions League.

There have just been problems when comparing his quality to that of his teammates the Villans push up the Premier League table.

Mings always seems to have a point to prove, but is he doing that this season?

How has Tyrone Mings performed this season?

The 33-year-old certainly has experience on his side and his physical attributes are also a major plus.

That has often seen him given the nod by Unai Emery when coming up against strikers known for their height and strength.

He has also acted as an understudy for Pau Torres as the only other left-footed centre-back at Bodymoor Heath.

That is exactly what saw him come in most recently against Tottenham, and Mings was colossal.

The Englishman racked up 13 defensive actions in North London including 11 clearances and one last-man tackle.

That is thrown in with a 100 per cent ground duel success rate, while completing 41 of his 45 attempted passes.

It isn't as if that's his only performance to this level as he has averaged 5.17 successful duels and 8.28 defensive actions per 90 in the Premier League this campaign.

That hasn't taken away from the negativity surrounding his inclusion in three starting XI's this season, but is that fair?

Does Mings deserve negative reviews at Aston Villa?

The above stats do point towards someone who is willing to put their body on the line for Emery and Co.

That doesn't stop the questions, especially as a direct alternative to Torres.

The Spaniard has put up 13 line-breaking passes in three league games this campaign, but his 4.29 defensive actions and 1.90 blocks per 90 don't truly hold a candle to Mings.

There is a major difference in their style of play and it is for that reason most Villa fans will always favour the ex-Villarreal man.

That is especially when the Englishman is having an off-day, which isn't all that rare.

Is there a real need for negativity to surround Mings because of that? Not really, but football fans are always going to be fickle.