Mings excited by Barcelona test

Tyrone Mings discussed his excitement ahead of Aston Villa’s trip to Camp Nou to take on Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League.

The Villans make the trip to one of the most famous venues in world football, having won all three of their European outings so far this season.

And a clash with one of the best sides in world football will bring up what Mings describes as a “historic moment” in Villa’s recent history.

The defender said: “Certainly, an iconic, historic moment in our recent history. Everybody’s very excited.

“The manager is quick to stress that he’s trying to build a team to compete with the very best in the world, so when these games come around and when these opportunities come around, I think everybody’s looking forward to testing ourselves against undoubtedly one of the best teams in the world.

“Every time that you step onto the pitch, you’ve just got to be at your very, very best in these games and I think we’ve shown that we can rise to the occasion in those big European nights.

“It’s excitement, it’s ambition, because when we play in these competitions, we play as evens. It’s not a case of taking part, we really want to go far in these competitions, and see where that takes us.

“I don’t think there’s anything other than a very difficult game ahead, but that’s something that we are excited and enthused by: the chance to go there and test our shape and our structure and our capabilities and our ability against the world’s very best.

“We’re expecting a difficult game, but that is an opportunity rather than anything to be worried about.”

Thousands of Villa fans are set to travel and make the most of an encounter in an iconic city, at a historic stadium.

Mings spoke with pride on the impact they have on he and the team, and how he is proud to be able to help them create memories of their own.

“Everything that we do is for the fans,” he added.

“I remember I was sitting on the bench the other day, looking around Villa Park and thinking that these guys have all been here way before us, and will all be here way after us.

“Of course, it is their club. These are these are their memories. We are in a fortunate position where we can contribute to the history and the recent history of this football club.

“I love the fact that they are getting to create their own European memories in the same way that (I did) when I was a kid, watching Champions League games and remembering what they were like and having those memories.

“The new generation of fans are getting to create them with their immediate family and friends.

“I hope they have a fantastic trip, because ultimately this is all for them and it’s all about them and this is their club, so they deserve to enjoy these times.”