Aston Villa will travel to Craven Cottage on Saturday to take on Fulham with a spring in their step.
First and foremost, the international break has served Aston Villa well and allowed injured players to refresh and be ready to go again.
Many of them have had niggling injuries or small knocks, but for someone like Tyrone Mings, this is a long-awaited return for the player.
The 31-year-old has been out of action for 14 months after a serious knee injury he suffered at the start of last season at St James’ Park.
Mings has been back in competitive action for Villa, playing for the U21s, as well as a behind-closed-door friendly.
Both Mings and Boubacar Kamara – who is also coming back from a long-term injury – have actually been in full training with the Aston Villa first team for over a month now.
And you sense, that long-awaited return, where fans have wanted to see their names on the matchday squad might now become a reality at the weekend.
Aston Villa take on free-scoring Fulham in a tricky away tie, with the Midlands side hoping to maintain their record of only losing one match this season in all competitions.
Ahead of the game, Mings took to Instagram to send an exciting message to fans and possibly hint that he will be in the matchday squad at Craven Cottage.
Tyrone Mings ready to go ahead of Aston Villa’s trip to Fulham
‘Been through it,’ wrote the England centre-back. ‘𝐆𝐨 time.’
Aston Villa’s defence needs to improve
Emi Martinez has rightfully come out and spoken about Villa’s defence because they are conceding far too many goals.
Yes, it was encouraging to see the team keep its first Premier League clean sheet of the season before the international break, as they recorded a goalless draw against Manchester United.
READ MORE: What those behind-the-scenes say about Unai Emery and Aston Villa’s team analysis before games
But that’s where it really stops because Villa’s performance, overall, wasn’t much to shout about as Unai Emery will be eager to get back to winning ways.
Villa haven’t won in their last two Premier League matches – missing out on moving back into the top four, as a result – but with fourth-placed Chelsea taking on Liverpool at the weekend, this is the chance to do it again.
