---
title: "Villa fans want Mings straight back into starting XI for Saints clash"
canonical: "https://readastonvilla.com/2020/02/21/villa-fans-want-mings-straight-back-into-starting-xi-for-saints-clash/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Abdullah Mulla"
section: "Features & Analysis"
published: "2020-02-21T12:09:37Z"
modified: "2026-09-03T11:41:32Z"
---

# Villa fans want Mings straight back into starting XI for Saints clash

Aston Villa manager[Dean Smith confirmed](https://www.avfc.co.uk/News/2020/02/20/the-presser-pre-southampton-away) on Thursday that defender Tyrone Mings is fit for Saturday’s clash with Southampton.

Many fans want to see the Englishman go straight back into the Villa starting XI for the away encounter.

Mings missed the 3-2 defeat against Tottenham Hotspur last Sunday with [a bout of tonsilitis](https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/villa-injury-news-tyrone-mings-17759274) but returned to training earlier this week.

The centre-back seems to be an influential figure at the back for Smith’s team, proven by the fact that the team has conceded[11 times in the five matches](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/tyrone-mings/leistungsdaten/spieler/253677) that he has not played in the league this season.

Mings was replaced by Bjorn Engels in the back three, with the Belgian making [two costly errors](https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/aston-villa-bjorn-engels-spurs-17760376) during the pulsating clash with Jose Mourinho’s side at Villa Park.

Many fans took[to Twitter](https://twitter.com/AVFCOfficial/status/1230508657416294401) to share their opinion on Mings and whether he should start, with some even wanting Engels to keep his place and play alongside the returning defender.

> Twitter: @AVFCOfficial @OfficialTM\_3 Mings for Hause on Saturday for me ![👍🏻](https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/12.0.0-1/svg/1f44d-1f3fb.svg) (@jay\_f\_1)

> Twitter: @AVFCOfficial @OfficialTM\_3 He is the only leader ![👍](https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/12.0.0-1/svg/1f44d.svg) (@skillspaybillz)

> Twitter: @AVFCOfficial @OfficialTM\_3 Hope to see on the pitch come Saturday …stay strong (@BennedictSvuure)

> Twitter: @AVFCOfficial @OfficialTM\_3 Play him alongside engles, don’t Bench @BjornEngels (@Claireellism2)

> Twitter: @AVFCOfficial @OfficialTM\_3 Would be massive to have Ty back. Last time we played Southampton they really exploited Engels’ lack of pace (@B6Broadcast)