Tyrone Mings

[Brazilian Villain]

Us left-footers are still seen as sinister.

Absolutely this.

As someone who also possesses "a wand of a left foot" (the universal and required description of any left-footed player) it is clear to me that right-footed players find it so alien to contemplate using their left foot that they assume that left-footed players must be the same. It's not true.

I've always know us 'caggy-handers' were superior. UTV

Absolutely, it's a mixture of jealousy and bigotry from those who are cursed with being right-footed

[VillaTim]

The tackle when he made up loads of ground to fly in a block the shot absolutely the best thing about last night, that and him playing 90 minutes.
In fact, I think just seeing that has negated any disappointment at going out, feels like a win just seeing him back not only playing, but still being our best defender.

He also dominated the air defensively (shame that Eze was allowed to run in unopposed to score) in a way that we've lacked without him.

He won 7/8 aerial duels. Torres has won 8 all season.

Yeah, but I wouldn’t be swapping Pau for Ty. Delighted he’s back and he’ll be a great addition to the squad, but Pau is one of our key players.

There is a trade off between Mings and Torres , they are equally brilliant at their own different things , which are quite different .

[PaulWinch again]

Pau’s attributes are less common and key to us getting top 4. The ability to pass like he does is critical to our whole style of play.

[VillaTim]

Pau’s attributes are less common and key to us getting top 4. The ability to pass like he does is critical to our whole style of play.

Agree his passing skills are superb , the trade off being goals against like at Fulham as he's a different defender to mings or Burnley away last season as examples

[papa lazarou]

Pau’s attributes are less common and key to us getting top 4. The ability to pass like he does is critical to our whole style of play.

It is.
And Tyrone's ability to defend corners and free kicks is evident.
It's a dilemma.

[Percy McCarthy]

Pau’s attributes are less common and key to us getting top 4. The ability to pass like he does is critical to our whole style of play.

Personally, if it could be promised, I’d take the defensive performance of the run-in in Unai’s first season. Especially the three goals conceded in ten games.

I think you’ll find (I’m guessing) that that season’s form post-Gerrard was more than good enough to get us top four were it not for our terrible start.

[Dante Lavelli]

Tyrone will need to be re-built regardless of playing on the left or right. Just pick the side that provides the biggest benefit to the club and watch him adapt.

[PaulWinch again]

Ty is a great bloke, a really good player, and a great player for the squad. But I’d say he’s third choice, or in to play against specific opposition. The best two are Konsa and Pau generally speaking.

[andyh]

Ty was absolutely dominant in the air on Wednesday night, against big opponents.
And the one superb tackle he made when he chased back, made up ground on an attacker and slid in to take the ball (and player) is one Torres would never make.

I don’t think I have ever looked forward to a player coming back from injury as much I have for Mings.

5 more games, when he will be 100% match fit, makes him a nailed on starter for me.

Maybe a back 4 of Konsa / Mings / Torres / Digne would work.

[Percy McCarthy]

Ty is a great bloke, a really good player, and a great player for the squad. But I’d say he’s third choice, or in to play against specific opposition. The best two are Konsa and Pau generally speaking.

Depends on how you measure it. Konsa/Pau is nowhere near as good as Konsa/Mings defensively. The next best central defensive partnership statistically is Carlos/Pau. Konsa/Pau is a distant third, but this may have a lot to do with the fact that they don’t have the benefit of Konsa at RB.

[Olneythelonely]

Agreed that there is a trade off. Unai won’t be rotating Pau very much though. That’s all that really matters. I wouldn’t be either as his attributes are obviously an integral part to how we play.

[pauliewalnuts]

Pau is about a lot more than defending though. He’s key to the way we play.

[PaulWinch again]

Yep that’s where I am. He might not be as good at defensive headers, but the whole structure of our play is built off what he does at the back.

[ajmant]

Pau is a superb footballer, with great distribution and a very good footballing brain. His positional sense is usually pretty good too. Defensively a fully fit Mings is clearly better. I just cannot see how you can drop Pau for Mings, but he is a fabulous backup to have for that position.

Carlos and Mings are the two you would want against a really physical center forward, but we all know Carlos has an error in him most games (better recently mostly!).

Its a dilemma to have but a nice one. Better options than having Lenglet!

[Rigadon]

A Pau Torres who was also a dominant centre half would be truly world class and, sad to say, probably wouldn't be playing for Villa at the moment. Essentially we'd be talking about the best attributes of Mings and Torres together.  I hadn't realised, but listening to a podcast where he was extensively interviewed recently (think it was the Ben Foster one), Mings started at left back.   Pretty sure he wouldn't work out great in that position in our team though given nearly all our attacks are down the left side. 

If Mings cold adapt to playing on the right hand side of Torres, that could be something quite special.  Konsa - Mings - Torres - Digne/Maatson.    Hmmm!