Tyrone Mings sat down with VillaTV on the club’s mid-season training camp to discuss the hard work taking place in Dubai, the current break in Premier League action, preparations for our Boxing Day return and much more.
Unai Emery’s side went into the hiatus in domestic matters on the back of successive league wins over Manchester United and Brighton & Hove Albion.
They will be looking to continue where they left off when they welcome Liverpool to Villa Park on December 26.
Villa’s first-team squad are currently in the Middle East stepping up preparations, with mid-season fixtures against Brighton and Chelsea this week, live on VillaTV.
Centre-back Mings says he feels “refreshed and excited” and believes the break has come at a good time for Villa to work with head coach Unai Emery on the training pitch.
Speaking from the club’s base in Dubai, Mings said: “It’s nice to be all together, it’s nice to get to know each other and everybody to make each other feel welcome in a new environment.
“Obviously, we’ve got a new coaching staff who we’re trying to learn a little bit more about, they’re trying to learn a little bit more about us.
“And sometimes being in a different environment helps, certainly the warm weather helps.
“But we’ve got a good opportunity to get some good work in on the grass, players coming back from the World Cup soon as well.
“Overall, it’s really positive and we’re really excited about being out here and playing the games as well.”
Villa have been working hard in training sessions amid stifling 30c heat since their arrival in Dubai.
And Mings is really enjoying his time out on the pitches learning under boss Emery and his coaching staff.
“Very hot, very intense,” said the defender, reflecting on the sessions so far.
“It’s been good as well, I feel like I’m learning every day.
“I feel like you’ve really got to be switched on in training sessions because there is a lot of information to take in, but a lot of information I’ve never been exposed to before.
“A real high-level of coaching, and my job is slightly different to the roles I’ve played under previous managers.
“So, I’m really enjoying learning and this time here will be crucial for myself and the team.”
Villa will face Brighton on Thursday (ko 1pm GMT) before a clash against Chelsea on Sunday (ko 2.10pm GMT) at Al Nahyan Stadium in Abu Dhabi, with both teams competing for the inaugural CBF | Al Wahda Challenge Cup.
Mings feels it is really important to have strong mid-season tests which offer good benchmarks in terms of fitness and performances.
He hopes Emery will see more of his ideas coming out in those games as Villa increase preparations for their return to action against Liverpool on Boxing Day, where he hopes they can continue that winning feeling.
“I think winning is a habit and winning is something we want to get used to,” he said.
“We played in the Cardiff game and lost, and that, sometimes, hurts just as much; your personal pride.
“Every time you step on to the pitch you want to win the football match, regardless of the setting or the occasion.
“But in the league, we’ve been in some fantastic form and we want to continue that.
“We’ll go into the Liverpool game with a gameplan and fully focused. And I think we’ll go into the Liverpool game, after the results we’ve had, full of confidence as well.
“And that’s a really exciting thing for us as players and staff, but also for the fans – they have to have something to get behind.
“They want to see a club and a playing squad who are excited, confident and going for it.
“So, all in all, I’m really looking forward to that game. I wish it could be now, but we’ve got some good preparation time for that as well.”
“I think winning is a habit and winning is something we want to get used to. We played in the Cardiff game and lost, and that, sometimes, hurts just as much; your personal pride. Every time you step on to the pitch you want to win the football match, regardless of the setting or the occasion."
Tyrone Mings
