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Unai Emery has hinted at a new defensive lineup for Aston Villa against Southampton.
Emery is tempted to start both Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres together following Mings’ impressive return to Premier League action on Wednesday.
Mings’ start in the 3-1 win over Brentford was his first appearance in the English top flight since he sustained his serious knee injury away at Newcastle United in August 2023. The 31-year-old, in the team ahead of the usually undroppable Pau, played excellently and earned deserved praise from his manager post-match.
Having seen just how dominant and physical Mings was against a usually free-scoring Brentford team, Emery has been given plenty to ponder for his selection against Southampton this weekend. The plan originally was to hand Mings starts here and there but that approach may have to change.
“Both centre-backs are very good centre-backs, maybe a little different - stronger Tyrone Mings and good playing with the ball for Pau Torres - but both they can do the same,” Emery told BirminghamWorld.
Unai Emery has admitted he wants to trial starting Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres together.Unai Emery has admitted he wants to trial starting Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres together.
Unai Emery has admitted he wants to trial starting Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres together. | Getty Images
“They can play at times last year, when they were both available, I was trying to play with both players, more or less trying to settle them tactically in the structure we were trying to create.
“Now, at the beginning they are playing one or the other but maybe as well I can try for the next matches in the next month something with both players in the starting XI.”
The first half at Newcastle 15 months ago was the only time Emery has played both Mings and Pau together in a competitive fixture. The duo partnered up in the 2023/24 pre-season but only on a few occasions.
Whether or not Emery takes the plunge against Southampton awaits to be seen but it’s evident the head coach is weighing up defensive changes. If Mings and Pau do play together, Ezri Konsa would likely move across to right-back and Matty Cash would either advance to right midfield or lose his place entirely.
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