He may have been one of Aston Villa’s star players during the 2019/20 campaign, but ex-Villa defender Martin Laursen has criticised Tyrone Mings during the latest 1874 podcast from The Athletic (March 26).

What did he say?

Well, the former Denmark international joined Dan Bardell and Gregg Evans for the podcast, with the latter asking him his opinion on a player who features in the same position he did during his career.

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Laursen said (30:40): “Sometimes I think he does too many mistakes. It looks like he’s not focused all the time. For me it’s always been very important that the centre-half is very focused and concentrated.

“I was so impressed with him when I came to Aston Villa and watched him. I didn’t know him before I came, I’d never seen him play. I was just seeing this big guy with this left foot, strong, quick, good with the ball. I think he has everything to be a great centre-half.

“But then I’ve seen some games this season, he’s been injured a bit as well, but I think he can do better. He should be aware that he has all this potential, but he should be able to do better. I think he can if he is more focused on his game. He should do better because he’s got everything to do better.”

Harsh?

It’s probably a little, seeing as he has been praised by Dean Smith, Gareth Southgate and Alex Bruce in 2019/20.

Often – in recent months especially – it has often felt as though the 27-year-old has been trying too hard to cover for his teammates who may not be performing that well.

The Englishman has been strong in the air – as shown by him winning 2.1 aerial duels per match this term according to WhoScored – while he has also popped up with two goals himself up the other end as well.

Did he really play for us?! No Villa fan has managed to name all of these obscure Villans....

Mings hasn’t been perfect though and Laursen is probably fair to call him out on his concentration at times, and while he can do better, you have to sympathise with the centre-back has been put in a tough position in Villa’s setup this season.

The fact they have conceded 56 goals - more than any other Premier League side - this season tells you that Smith has got it wrong defensively.

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