Agbonlahor tips Steven Gerrard to keep Tyrone Mings

Tyrone Mings has an uncertain future at Aston Villa this summer. The 29-year-old is coming off the back of a below-par season at club level, finds himself out of the recent England squad and has been linked with a move to Newcastle United.

Steven Gerrard has shown a ruthless streak in how quickly he replaced Matt Targett after deeming him surplus to requirements, so Mings could be offloaded if his manager didn’t want him at Villa Park.

New signings Boubacar Kamara and Diego Carlos are added competition for the 29-year-old too, but Gabriel Agbonlahor doesn’t think he’ll be sold ahead of next season.

He told Football Insider: “Steven Gerrard’s always said he wants to bring in an experienced centre-half as well. This shows him doing that. He’s not looking for youth, he’s looking for experience in that backline.

“I think Carlos and Mings would be a strong partnership, as (Ezri) Konsa’s going to be out for a while with injury. They are both very physical. (And) even though he’s brought in two players, I don’t see him letting (one) leave.”

Mings joined Villa from Bournemouth in 2019 and has gone on to make 128 appearances across the board, scoring seven goals with as many assists. The 29-year-old skippers his side and was a regular for the national team off the back of his club form, so he’s had a fantastic three years in the Midlands.

Read Aston Villa previously explained why Mings is likely to stay this summer, but Konsa’s long-term injury will be reason enough now. Gerrard has one pillar of the backline remaining, so it makes more sense to give him a new defensive partner, rather than overhaul the defence.

In other news, Noel Whelan says Steven Gerrard is under pressure to deliver at Aston Villa