Tyrone Mings
(Credit: Imago)
Rahul Lakhani
Sun 10 August 2025 7:10, UK
Aston Villa were beaten 3-1 by Olympique Marseille in a heated pre-season encounter, and there was one notable incident.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored twice against his former manager, Unai Emery, in the second half after Mason Greenwood and John McGinn exchanged goals.
With a week to go until Aston Villa begin their Premier League campaign, there will be concern over whether they are ready for competitive action.
Villa defender Tyrone Mings was involved in an altercation with Greenwood, and one person has been blamed for what was a flash-point in the game.
Aston Villa Tyrone Mings
Mings did not play well against Marseille (credit: Imago)
This article contains exclusive opinion from former FIFA referee Keith Hackett.
Referee blamed for Mings and Greenwood brawl
Former Manchester United striker Greenwood was facing Premier League opposition for the first time since he was exiled and sold after allegations of domestic abuse.
The attacker scored early on in the game, much to the frustration of Villa fans, but they are now delighted as Mings showed Greenwood exactly what he thought of him.
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With Greenwood attempting to accost Amadou Onana, Mings stormed in, and appeared to grab the former England international by the neck, as well as striking him in the head.
Mings received a yellow card while Greenwood did not, but former PGMOL chief Keith Hackett has now exclusively told Villa News that the referee is to blame for allowing the fight to happen.
“The Marseille player should have received a yellow card for the reckless challenge. At this point, if he had produced the card quickly, it may have prevented the act of retaliation by Mings,” Hackett stated.
“Mings adopted an aggressive approach and for this action, a yellow card is the correct outcome.
“It does not matter that it’s a friendly. If referees do not apply the law correctly in a pre-season friendly they risk a sanction.”
Mings shows leadership qualities in Greenwood brawl
Mings is no longer a first-choice defender or a captain, but he is still clearly a leader in the dressing room, and this showed in his spat with Greenwood.
The defender rushed to support his teammate when Greenwood attempted to wind him up, and he took both the brunt of the battle, as well as the punishment of the yellow card, in order to protect the rest of his team.
Mings did not have his best game, with Greenwood slipping in behind him to score, but he may receive more respect from the Villa fanbase for his actions against the striker during the game.
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