Aston Villa midfielder Conor Hourihane has heaped praise on teammate and centre-back Tyrone Mings in an interview on the club’s official website.

Mings only arrived at the club in January but Hourihane has noticed an instant impact from the Bournemouth loanee on the entire squad.

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“Tyrone has been brilliant – on and off the pitch,” Hourihane said

“He’s a man mountain on the field. He’s a big physical presence.

“He oozes confidence and has become a part of the group so well. I have been very impressed.”

Since arriving at the club from the Vitality Stadium, Mings has started eight matches, losing just two as well as winning their last four.

Hourihane, on the other hand, has been a consistent member of the squad all season, scoring six and assisting ten more in 36 appearances.

Currently sat in sixth place with just eight matches left to play, this weekend sees the club come up against Blackburn Rovers.

The verdict

It is remarkable, the impact Mings has managed to have in such a short space of time and at this rate will be up there for the club's player of the season award.

A lot has been made about the return of Jack Grealish, and rightly so, but it could well be argued that Mings’ presence at centre-back has been even more important.

It is a position that the club struggled badly with all season so to have somebody there who does the job so well and with such ease is utterly priceless. They must try and get him permanently.