Aston Villa defender Tyrone Mings has now been dealt another setback, according to reports...

What's the latest?

The Daily Star claim that the 29-year-old centre-back is facing a fight to get back into Steven Gerrard's starting lineup after being banished to the bench for their Premier League season-opening defeat at newly-promoted AFC Bournemouth.

It's thought that a scan has revealed a groin injury that could now keep him out of training for several days and that'll surely put his chances of a return to the XI in grave danger.

The England international also missed their final pre-season friendly against Stade Rennes and faces an almighty battle to regain his spot in Gareth Southgate's squad for this winter's World Cup.

Another problem lingering

Dropped by England, dropped as Villa skipper and dropped from the starting lineup.

These three events are enough to test the mental fortitude of even the strongest character and it appears that Gerrard has another problem lingering around Bodymoor Heath as the 6 foot 5 colossus is dealing with injury troubles.

That will only increase the pressure on Gerrard, who has overseen just two wins from his last 12 matches in charge.

The decision to relinquish Mings of the captaincy is certainly looking like an early-season blunder and it's one that has been slammed as a "big mistake" by beIN SPORTS presenter Richard Keys, who claims that it has split the dressing room - not that it's a slight on John McGinn.

Truth be told, Villa rarely win without Mings involved. In the 12 league gamers that the Englishman has missed, the Midlands outfit have lost a whopping eight times, winning on just two occasions.

Gerrard's recent remarks on the matter won't have helped the situation or the furore surrounding his future at Villa Park either.

"I'm confident and have full belief [that] when Tyrone is back at his best and looks me in the eye and shows me he’s ready to play, he’ll get opportunities," said Gerrard to the BBC West Midlands reporter Steve Hermon.

Meanwhile, Villa legend Paul McGrath has suggested that the £80k-per-week star "ticks all the right boxes" for the club and questioned the bold decision. "So how do you lose the Armband and your place in seconds . You don’t, so who said what to who, No one cares get him in the team," he tweeted.

"Titan" and "maverick" is also how presenter Dan Bardell has described the centre-back in the past.

With Mings facing fitness troubles and Villa struggling for form, Gerrard is under immense pressure and he's only going to get another big problem on his hands the longer he's absent from the team.

Regardless of holding the captain's armband or not, Mings must start for Villa.

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