O'Rourke: Significant Tyrone Mings update today

Aston Villa defender Tyrone Mings is continuing to work his way back to fitness after his lengthy knee injury and an imminent return is not close, sources have told Football Insider.

Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, senior correspondent Pete O’Rourke revealed Villa are looking at “defensive reinforcements” for the January transfer window.

Unai Emery’s side are a little short defensively, especially at centre-back where Mings has been unavailable all season.

The England international suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury 14 months ago on the opening day of last season, and he hasn’t played since.

Sources have told Football Insider that his return to fitness will be seen as a “huge boost” for Emery’s side.

However, there is still no timescale for when the 31-year-old will be available for selection.

Tyrone Mings has been a big miss for Aston Villa

Emery has been playing Pau Torres and Ezri Konsa together for the bulk of this season, but Mings returning will give him further options.

Mings joined Villa in 2019 and has gone on to play 166 games for the club, scoring eight goals and providing nine assists.

The central defender was a regular in the team prior to his injury, which also saw him break into the international setup under Gareth Southgate.

Villa have made a strong start to the 2024-25 campaign, sitting fifth in the Premier League table.

However, Emery’s team have the second-worst defensive record out of the top half of the division.

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