By Graham Hill
TYRONE Mings has been tipped to stay as level-headed as ever when he comes up against former club Bournemouth on Saturday.
And Villa boss Dean Smith feel it will not be too long before he is also part of the England set-up.
Mings left the Cherries this summer after a successful loan spell for Villa in the second half of last season.
He was one of Dean Smith’s key men as Villa won promotion via the play-offs.
Mings was keen to stay at Villa Park but Bournemouth refused to let him go on the cheap and a deal worth in excess of £26million was agreed between the clubs.
Smith was satisfied that Mings had shaken off his image as an injury prone player and Cherries boss Eddie Howe’s summer business suggested there was no definite place for him his plans.
Mings is sure to want to turn in an impressive display in Villa’s first home game of the season.
But Smith says he knows the player will not let the significance of the clash get to him.
The Villa boss told reporters: “He’s a level headed lad, Tyrone played a few games for them last season, he’s played big games in the Premier League, but he knew he needed to go and play football last season.
“We enjoyed having him here, he enjoyed being here. We took up the opportunity to buy him, Eddie Howe didn’t really want him to leave.
“He’ll be liked by both clubs.
“We’re not blessed with two many left footed centre backs in this country, I have two in Kortney Hause as well.
“Tyrone catches the eye
“He’s very good, he’s a tremendous talent, the more he plays, the more he’ll come into people’s minds, that will probably include England coaching staff as well.”
Smith also feels John Terry has been a huge help to Mings behind the scenes as well.
He added: “JT’s a help and guide to all the defenders here. He’s played at this level all of his career and the little snippets of info he can give them will certainly help.
“I always saw Tyrone as a centre-back, maybe people thought he was a left back when he first came through. For me he was a natural centre-back. He felt that was his best position when he came here as well.”
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