Mings says Villa's new-look squad feels "oxygenated"

Tyrone Mings says there is a new "freshness" around Aston Villa's training ground after the summer overhaul of the squad, and that the group is starting to show what it can do.

Villa lost more than half of the starting line-up that beat SC Freiburg in the Europa League final in May, and signed ten new players. The club deliberately set out to reduce the wage bill and lower the average age, bringing in Johan Manzambi, Joao Gomes, Nicolas Jackson, Zion Suzuki, Ibrahim Mbaye, Matteo Ruggeri and Alejandro Garnacho, all under 25.

"We are one group now"

Speaking after the 1-0 win at Newcastle, Mings said: "I'm keen to reiterate that had the players of last year stayed, maybe we would have struggled to get going after a European success. There's no formula, is there, other than hard work, embrace the new players, embrace the new regime."

"Players that were here before are excited and keen to stop talking about new players and old players as well. We are one group now, and the more experiences we have like today, like midweek, the more it feels like a group and a team and everybody understands what the manager wants."

"The group has been oxygenated"

Asked about the summer window, Mings said he did not know exactly what had been planned. "All I do know is that there definitely feels like a freshness around the training ground. It feels like the group has been oxygenated. Everybody is now looking forward and excited about what we can do with this group."

He said experienced players had a responsibility to act as "a bridge between old and new", setting standards in training. "The manager is keen to stress that you have to be mature, you have to be responsible. He's not going to police the dressing room. You need to be able to self-motivate."

"Super proud"

Villa made a slow start, losing three of their first four league games, but have lost only once in eight since. Last week they beat Fenerbahce 6-0, a club record in Europe, for their first home win of the season, then won at St James' Park.

"Of course we could have picked up a few more points, but this league is so difficult, and everything that we've done up until now, we can be super proud of," Mings said. "Everybody thought that it might come together at some point. We're definitely showing signs of that."

"It's a huge challenge, but it's a challenge that we've asked for. It's a challenge that we're excited by, and it's a challenge that we want."

What is next

Villa host Viking in the Champions League this week, with a chance to make it three wins out of three in the league phase. Injuries at left-back remain a concern, but Ian Maatsen is expected back in training.

Mings, who joined Villa in 2019 and is one of the longest-serving members of the squad, remains an important voice in the dressing room as Emery's new-look side takes shape.