‘What a smart move’: BBC pundit hails Steven Gerrard decision which earned Aston Villa victory over Everton

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BBC Sport pundit Garth Crooks has included Aston Villa defender Tyrone Mings in his Premier League team of the week.

Mings was left out of the side for the opening match of the season, which saw Villa go down 2-0 to newly-promoted Bournemouth.

He has also been stripped of the captaincy, with the armband going to Scotland international midfielder John McGinn.

But he was brought back into the team for the weekend clash with Everton and impressed Crooks with his display in the 2-1 win.

Crooks praises Mings on Aston Villa recall

He wrote: “I was surprised to see Mings on the bench for Aston Villa’s first game of the season against Bournemouth.

“Needless to say, their opening fixture didn’t go very well with a 2-0 defeat, hence Mings was brought back into the side to face Everton – and what a smart move that turned out to be.

“The England centre-back saved Villa three points with a brilliant tackle on Salomon Rondon with the goal at his mercy.”

Diego Carlos has picked up a long term injury so it seems like Mings is set for an extended reprieve and a return to the Villa backline.

That is a boost for him as he looks to earn a place in England’s squad for the World Cup later on this year in Qatar and needs to be playing regularly.

The challenge for Gerrard is to keep Mings onside and manage what could be a delicate situation as well as he possibly can.