Total Recall
Both Tom Heaton and Tyrone Mings were once again selected for England manager Gareth Southgate’s squad for the Euro 2020 qualifiers away to the Czech Republic and Bulgaria, during the international break that follows Villa’s weekend trip to Carrow Road.
Both Villans didn’t get any minutes in the previous international break, which was Mings first time away with the England squad. As per then, there are no friendlies for Southgate to give both players a run-out.
Considering England’s defensive mistakes in their 5-3 win against Kosovo, there’s a real chance that Mings might see some action during England’s two away qualifiers though. Southgate will know that victory in the Czech Republic will pretty much rubber stamp their qualification, so even if he doesn’t venture to use Mings then, the Villa centre-back could get his first minutes against bottom of the table Bulgaria.
Villa Mates
Mings will get a chance to team-up in the England squad with his Villa play-off winning teammate Tammy Abraham who made the squad.
The 22-year-old former Villa striker hasn’t yet declared for either England or Nigeria, who he’s also eligible to play for.
Abraham has had outings in two England friendlies, but if he gets against minutes this month in an Euro qualifier, he’ll be an England man for good.
Abraham, 22, had said he had “not made a decision yet” on his international future as he is also eligible to play for Nigeria, having only played for England in two friendlies and not a competitive game.
“It’s not ethically right to give someone a cap just so they can’t play for someone else,” said Southgate, at the squad announcement press conference.
“He and Fikayo Tomori are both in on merit and have been part of our junior system right the way through, so we see them as English players and they have a huge desire to play for England at senior level.”
UTV
I agree with the comments on his captaincy. Whilst I believe it was a master stroke from Smith appointing him in one aspect, its settled and matured him without a doubt, I dont see him posses the on field general type mentality that someone like mings has shown when he had a go at el ghazi. For me mings should be captain, he possess the grit? The mouth and the respect from players and fans. What do we know tho
Maybe should have been 3 with Grealish. However, apart from a couple of assists his form has not been brilliant since promotion. Some games fans have questioned his inclusion in the team even.. Against Burnley again he made so many bad choices, and returned to running across the penalty area with great control but to no effect other than free kick potential. The biggest disappointment for me though has been his lack of leadership as captain. He should have been screaming at players to get behind the ball just after we took the lead for a second time. Then failed to rally the troops again for a winner. Yet again we showed that we have quality but showed that we are so naive in a league where apart from the Palace poor performance we could have won every game.