Aston Villa defender Tyrone Mings has praised the club’s resilience and the impact of new signings as the team navigates a challenging start to the 2023-24 season. The 33-year-old, a key figure under manager Unai Emery, highlighted the squad’s adaptability following the departures of Morgan Rogers and Ollie Watkins.

Villa endured a difficult opening, including a 4-0 loss to Brighton & Hove Albion, which fueled concerns among fans amid ongoing transfer developments. Watkins left the club in late August to join Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal, while Rogers also departed during the summer transfer window. Despite these changes, Mings emphasized that the shake-up has helped maintain the team’s hunger and unity as they adapt to new circumstances.

“We are one group now,” Mings said after Villa’s 1-0 victory at Newcastle United, where Johan Manzambi scored the decisive goal. He suggested that the exit of key players from the previous campaign could have prevented the squad from building momentum following their recent European success. “The more experiences we have together, the more it feels like a group and a team,” he added.

The new recruits have begun to make their mark. Manzambi, the 21-year-old Swiss forward, has scored three goals in six matches, while fellow arrival Nicolas Jackson has netted five times, filling gaps left in the attack. Mings singled out Manzambi’s work ethic and off-the-ball efforts as particularly impressive, noting the demands placed on players by Emery’s tactical approach.

“The manager will be more pleased with his application off the ball at the moment,” Mings said, acknowledging the physical intensity required in their system. “We play in so many different ways based on who’s on the pitch. The manager is excited by what they can all deliver.”

Looking ahead, Villa face Norwegian club Viking in the Champions League on Wednesday before hosting Premier League leaders Manchester City. Mings described a renewed sense of energy at the club’s training ground and praised Emery’s no-excuses mentality.

“It feels like the group has been oxygenated,” he said. “No matter when you joined the club, the manager is a man that doesn’t allow excuses. It’s a huge challenge — but it’s a challenge that we’ve asked for. Everybody’s really excited for what is to come.”