Unai Emery
Tyrone Mings has expressed admiration for Unai Emery’s adeptness in shifting dynamics to Aston Villa’s advantage, often during matches. Observing from the sidelines, Mings witnessed the ascent of the Lions under Emery’s guidance. Before injury struck on the opening day at Newcastle last season, Mings had been instrumental in helping Villa secure a spot in the Europa Conference League during the preceding season. Since then, the England international has navigated the challenging yet familiar road of rehabilitation while keeping tabs on his teammates’ progress. As he nears his return to action, Mings anticipates joining a Champions League campaign, a result of his colleagues’ endeavors in his absence. Last weekend, he played 45 minutes against Newcastle’s under-21s as a stepping stone towards rejoining Emery’s Premier League matchday squad. Mings commended the Villa manager, who has sustained an impressive win ratio and transformed the team from relegation contenders to Champions League participants. Mings appreciates Emery’s coaching skills, especially his responses to challenging situations.
Tyrone Mings said, “What separates good managers from great managers is that he has a great way of playing, but his in-game management is so amazing as well. We had a game plan; it didn’t work or we didn’t stick to it well enough because something happened, and what are we going to do next… everybody’s looking to the manager. He is amazing at that. It never feels as if anything is catastrophic, either. If we go one or 2-0 down, the manager has usually got something – ‘this is how we’re going to change it.’ He’s a big believer in not playing any different whether we’re 1-0 up, 2-0 up, 2-0 down, 3-0 down. He’s a very calm manager, a very considered manager, and his experience of what he’s done before allows you to believe in what he’s doing as well. There’s no time to not be good enough under this manager. It’s not something you should feel pressured by; that is what will keep driving us forward. He has to sign good players and evolve the squad and tactics.” Mings further added, “I’m a big fan of Pau Torres, who is playing in my position. There’s no animosity about whether I’ll get in front of him and stuff – that is what a good squad is about. It’s how we will evolve as a team.”
The comments reflect Mings’ respect for not only Emery’s managerial capabilities but also his outlook on intra-team dynamics and the importance of squad evolution.
