Aston Villa players returned from their summer breaks on Monday morning as pre-season began ahead of the 2024/24 season.
Unai Emery welcomed his players back to Aston Villa‘s training ground ready for the first day of preparation for a campaign that will see the club compete in the Champions League.
Pre-season represents an opportunity for players to prove to Emery they should play a part in what will be another exciting season, as well as a chance to catch a glimpse of some new faces.
The likes of John McGinn, Youri Tielemans, Emi Martinez, Ezri Konsa and Ollie Watkins will all return later due to international duty, but for everyone else it is the start of a summer of hard work.
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The first day back is an exciting one for football fans as they can start to really look forward to the new season and Villa fans will be smiling from ear to ear at one thing they have seen on day one of pre-season.
Tyrone Mings returns ready for Aston Villa pre-season
Aston Villa had to make do without their captain Tyrone Mings for almost the entirety of last season.
That is because Mings suffered an ACL injury on the opening day of the Premier League against Newcastle United that saw him unable to feature again.
It would have been hugely frustrating for Mings to watch on as his teammates went on a run to the semi-final of the Europa Conference League and secured a top four finish without him.
However, after a long period of rehabilitation, the 31-year-old will be desperate to use this pre-season to reclaim his starting spot in Emery’s side following a return to fitness ready for his first taste of the Champions League.
With that in mind, Villa fans have been given real cause for optimism as the club’s official ‘X’ account have posted a picture of a healthy-looking Mings beaming as he warms up on an exercise bike on day one of the summer.
Mings not the only long-term absentee to return
What makes Villa’s success last season all the more remarkable is the fact that Mings was one of three key players to suffer an ACL injury; widely regarded as the worst injury in football.
Boubacar Kamara suffered the same injury against Manchester United in February, whilst Emiliano Buendia was unfortunate enough to sustain the injury in training just days ahead of the 2023/24 campaign.
There was more good news for Villa on Monday, though, with Buendia also pictured arriving for pre-season training having made his return to light sessions prior to the end of last season.
Mings and Buendia will be like new signings this summer if they can find their fitness in time for the new season as the good times look set to continue at Villa Park.
