Aston Villa were handed a major boost on Friday as defender Tyrone Mings returned to group training after his lengthy injury layoff.
The 31-year-old has been sidelined since suffering a serious knee injury on the opening day of last season, and has since gone through a gruelling rehabilitation process to get back to where he is now.
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As seen in the club’s post below, Mings was welcomed back for part of the group session to end the week, and so it’s another important checkpoint on his way to making his comeback.
Naturally, given the time he has been out of action, it’s still going to take a number of weeks of training and then gradual re-integration before Mings is back up to speed and fit and sharp enough to return at senior level, and so there is still a lot of hard work ahead.
Nevertheless, it would have been a huge boost for all concerned to see him back with his teammates, as it’s another crucial step towards returning and giving Unai Emery a key option in defence.
While Clement Lenglet was loaned in last season to provide cover behind Pau Torres as our left-sided centre-half, that short-term solution served its purpose as we awaited the return of Mings.
With the Frenchman now gone, it will be the Villa stalwart who now provides competition and depth, and it’s a big decision from Villa to show that they have trust and belief in his ability to return to the level that he was at prior to his setback.
Given the number of games we’ll play this season and our desire to compete across multiple competitions, it’s pivotal that Mings is able to offer us a solid and reliable option in the backline when he’s back at an optimal fitness level, and so there will be a keen focus on his progress in the coming weeks.
Villa face Leicester City this weekend ahead of the international break, and so it’s hoped that fortnight gives Mings an opportunity to edge closer towards a comeback, with Villa midfielder Boubacar Kamara also expected to resume group training in September after suffering a long-term knee injury of his own, which will be another vital boost for Emery with a big year ahead.
Great having @TyroneMings back with the lads for the first time for the start of training 💜
Getting closer… 👀 pic.twitter.com/h4tl4O2y60
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) August 30, 2024
