Tyrone Mings, the Aston Villa and England defender, has recently shared insights into his challenging journey back to professional football following a significant anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury that threatened to derail his career. This devastating injury occurred on the opening day of the previous Premier League season during a match against Newcastle United, necessitating three surgical procedures to address the severe damage to his knee.
The road to recovery for Mings was long and arduous, spanning an exhausting 15 months, with his much-anticipated return to the pitch materialising in Villa's 3-1 victory against Brentford. Reflecting on his rehabilitation, the 31-year-old revealed the profound mental and physical impact the experience had on him. “There were times when I genuinely did think I would not be able to recover from this knee injury, such was the severity and complication of it,” Mings reflected. He further elaborated, “There were a lot of setbacks. In April, I was thinking I had pretty much exhausted all avenues of what I can do here” (MailOnline).
Mings' journey was not solely about physical recovery; it also presented numerous personal challenges. A three-month delay in starting rehabilitation due to medical procedures, including the removal of pins from his knee cartilage, resulted in significant muscle wastage. The contrast in the size of his legs was stark, prompting him to seek rehabilitation assistance in the United States over the summer.
The defender's long-awaited return to the Champions League last month was somewhat overshadowed by a penalty incident against Bruges. However, the joy of his return to Premier League action was palpable. Mings described the recovery journey as “absolutely awful,” and he reflected on the various sources of motivation that propelled him forward—his personal pride, the unwavering support of his family, and the anticipation of matchday excitement. “The support and all the messages were really heart-warming; I honestly thank the Villa fans for that,” Mings emphasised, acknowledging the vital role played by the Villa fanbase in his recovery.
In his comeback match, Mings was instrumental in securing Villa's first win in nine attempts, demonstrating remarkable defensive prowess. He candidly acknowledged the mental turbulence he faced throughout his rehabilitation, contemplating the emotional highs and lows along the way. “I've had good days, bad days, bad hours. It’s meant I can put everything into context, and I'll be calmer after a win or a loss,” he shared. Despite the moments of self-doubt, Mings retained an unwavering sense of hope, insisting, “I never thought: 'I am never going to play football again,' but there were certainly days when I thought, 'will I?'”
His most testing time came during Easter, after enduring eight months without competitive football, when maintaining consistent training proved increasingly difficult. A visit to the renowned knee specialist Bill Knowles in May revitalised his determination, galvanising Mings to push himself and ensure he was ready for the season under the guidance of Villa's head coach, Unai Emery.
Emery welcomed Mings’ return with palpable enthusiasm, noting its significance not only for the player himself but also for the medical staff involved in his recovery. “It's been a long time. It's fantastic news not only for Tyrone but the doctors too. It's good for everyone,” he remarked. Mings’ uninterrupted participation in training sessions stands as a testament to his resilience and determination, heralding what promises to be a promising new chapter in his career following injury.