Express & Star

Tyrone Mings: Aston Villa relegation would be unfair on points-per-game system

Tyrone Mings claims it would be unfair if Villa were relegated from the Premier League without another ball being kicked.

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Though the top flight is now scheduled to resume on June 17, clubs are expected to vote later this week on what to do if the campaign can’t be finished due to a second wave of coronavirus infections or a new lockdown enforced by the government.

Premier League officials are recommending a points-per-game formula which, if it were applied now, would see 19th-placed Villa relegated along with Bournemouth and Norwich.

But a number of clubs in the bottom half of the table will argue relegation should be scrapped if the season cannot be completed.

Villa would move out of the relegation zone if they win their game in hand against Sheffield United.

Asked about the potential use of a points-per-game formula by Sky Sports, defender Mings said: “At the moment sitting here I would say it is unfair because we have a game in hand and if we win that it changes everything in terms of the points-per-game outcomes.

“However, if there were two games left of the season and we had pretty much finished I think you could accept that as the fairest way.

“When we still have 10 games left to play I think it is very difficult to sit here and say points-per-game is a fair way to finish, bearing in mind nobody signed up to that at the start.”

Villa’s home match with the Blades is set to be one of the first matches played under the Premier League’s new provisional schedule.

Mings is increasingly confident the season, which has been suspended since March 13, will resume and claims the overwhelming desire among players and staff is to secure their top flight status on the pitch.

“The manager is very consistent in his moods and his thought process and approach to the games,” he said.

“That is we have got a great opportunity now, after a break, to go and cement our place in the Premier League.

“We don’t want to stay up by not playing the games. We would much rather go out and prove our standing. The manager is ready to go and so are the players.”

Mings added: “When we were first talking about the season and going back to training the country was in a bad place.

“It seemed like we were being shoehorned into going back to playing football.

“Seeing where the country is now with lockdown restrictions being lifted a little bit and the attitude toward the pandemic being slightly more relaxed, I think players accept the world is getting back on its feet and we are a big part of that.

“We are a big part of that in terms of communities and in entertainment. We are in a safe environment, or as safe as it can be. As long as we can get the games back played as close to they were before, I think no players have a problem.

“It is a very safe environment in terms of the testing and limiting the contact.”