Aston Villa's Tyrone Mings faces lengthy spell out after damaging knee against Newcastle United

Aston Villa and England defender Tyrone Mings is facing a long spell on the sidelines as he is set to undergo an operation on a "significant knee injury".

Mings was carried off on a stretcher in some distress in the first half of Villa's season-opening 5-1 defeat at Newcastle after a seemingly innocuous tangle of legs with striker Alexander Isak.

Villa have not put a timescale on Mings' recovery but expect a "lengthy rehabilitation", with his setback coming days after the club lost Emiliano Buendia to a knee ligament injury for up to eight months.

The club said in a statement on Monday: "Aston Villa can confirm that Tyrone Mings has sustained a significant knee injury.

"The England international was stretchered off from the field after damaging his knee during the first half of Villa's match at Newcastle United on Saturday.

"The defender has undergone scans and will unfortunately require surgery ahead of a lengthy rehabilitation process."

Newcastle posted on Twitter in response to Villa's update: "Wishing you a speedy recovery, @TyroneMings".

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe signed Mings for Bournemouth in 2015 only to lose the centre-back for 15 months when he suffered an anterior cruciate ligament on his Cherries debut.

Howe said at the weekend: "I have to say he faced that period out with incredible courage and resilience, and what he's done since that moment, to go on and play for his country and be outstanding in the Premier League, is testament to that resilience.

"We certainly wish him well and I send him all my love."

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