Tyrone Mings starts first game in over 12 months as he features for Aston Villa's U21 side... and he's not the only first-team star on the comeback trail

Tyrone Mings took a important measurement connected his roadworthy to betterment from an anterior cruciate ligament wounded by starting a crippled for Aston Villa's U21 broadside connected Saturday.

The 31-year-old erstwhile Villa skipper had been retired of action since he sustained nan wounded in his correct knee connected August 12 past twelvemonth successful a 5-1 nonaccomplishment distant astatine Newcastle.

He truthful missed each but 1 of Villa's games successful nan 2023-24 play but he could soon beryllium backmost disposable to head Unai Emery.

Mings was not nan only overage subordinate to commencement successful Villa's U21 conflict pinch Newcastle connected Saturday.

Midfielder Boubacar Kamara, 24, besides returned from a lengthy absence caused by an ACL injury.

Kamara sustained his wounded successful February during a 2-1 location conclusion by Manchester United.

Both Mings and Kamara were taken disconnected astatine half-time connected Saturday successful what were pre-planned substitutions.

Villa posted pictures of nan brace successful action connected societal media alongside nan message: 'An important 45 minutes successful nan vessel for @TyroneMings & @boubaKamara_4'.

The people was 1-1 erstwhile Mings and Kamara made their exits. Ben Parkinson opened nan scoring for Newcastle earlier Ben Broggio equalised for Villa.

But Villa went connected to suffer 3-2. 

Travis Patterson put Villa 2-1 up early successful nan 2nd half.

However, Cathal Heffernan headed nan Magpies level and a penalty converted by Parkinson later completed nan turnaround.