Aston Villa boss Dean Smith: Tyrone Mings could not ask for a better mentor than John Terry

The 26-year-old was yesterday included in Gareth Southgate’s squad for the upcoming Euro 2020 qualifiers with Bulgaria and Kosovo.

Mings, who has made just 13 career Premier League appearances, has been rewarded for an impressive start to the season with newly-promoted Villa. Smith believes the influence of assistant boss and former England skipper Terry will continue to be key to Mings’s development.

He said: “Could he have a better mentor than JT? Certainly not. He’s got an ex captain of his country there.

“John’s very good for the whole staff - I’ve said there’s not many coaching staff that have as many titles and trophies as we have - unfortunately, they’re all with John.

“JT will give him a heads up but Tom Heaton (who was also called up) is a regular in the set-up. JT has been an influence on Tyrone since he’s been here, he’s getting better and better.”

The call-up continues a remarkable career for Mings, who played in non-league and was training to be a mortgage advisor before being given his big break by Mick McCarthy at Ipswich.

Smith said: “I don’t see it as a completed journey. Tyrone’s complete journey will be when he’s played regularly for England.

“But yes, it’s a hell of a journey, going from being a mortgage adviser to non-league football, to snarling at Mick McCarthy when he comes off the pitch because he thinks he’s not getting a contract, to playing in the Premier League and now the call up.

“It’s been extraordinary. But he’s worked very hard, is a born leader in the dressing room and a very good player.”

Mings’ Villa team-mate Jack Grealish missed out on a call-up, but Southgate has told Smith the England staff are monitoring the midfielder closely.

“There are three players in our squad who the national team have their eye on and that’s a credit to this club,” said Smith.

“I think Jack’s disappointed because his ambition is to play in the full England team. He’s certainly not far away and he’s knocking on the door.

“I think the position that Jack’s in there are a lot of good players, scoring and making assists for their teams in the Premier League.

"He’s got a little bit more competition than the likes of Tyrone or Tom. I’m sure he’ll get through that competition soon.”