DEFENDER Tyrone Mings admitted the entirety of January had been “stressful” after he completed his deadline day loan deal to Aston Villa.
The 25-year-old today moved to the Championship outfit, managed by Dean Smith, until the end of the season.
The Daily Echo understands there is no obligation or option for Aston Villa to buy Mings in the summer.
Discussing what it had been like to move on the final day of the transfer window, the former Ipswich man told the Aston Villa website: “It’s great to be part of if the deal happens and you get what you want but it is stressful. I think the whole month has been stressful.
“You know the window is open so things could happen any day. I am just grateful that it’s over now and I’m here. My overriding feeling is relief.
“I think it’s an exciting time to be at the club. I spoke with the manager before I came here and the chance to work with him and his coaching staff, who I knew as well, was a big factor.
“Where the club is and what they are trying to do was a massive pull for me to come and be part of. It seems like a great fit for the club and myself to come here and play some games.”
Mings arrived at the seven-time English champions having played just 141 Premier League minutes this season.
Ravaged by knee and back injuries at Cherries since his arrival in the summer of 2015 – the centre-half has only featured in 23 games for the Dorset club.
But in joining Villa, Mings believes there are comparisons between bosses Eddie Howe and Smith.
“The two managers and their styles of play are quite similar,” he said.
“Stepping out of one environment and into a new one is quite difficult in itself but if you can go into two sides who play fairly similar football, I think that helps.
“I’m looking forward to seeing how they are similar on the training pitch and what we take into games.”
One familiar face the Chippenham-born star will link up with is ex-Cherries skipper Tommy Elphick, who is back at Villa Park following a loan stint at Hull.
“He was a real calming influence on me,” said Mings, when asked about his former Cherries team-mate.
“I got injured on my debut when I went to Bournemouth. He came round my house with the manager to check I was okay.
“He is a really top bloke and someone I am looking forward to seeing again.”
Mings could make his first appearance for his new club when Villa visit Reading in the Championship on Saturday (3pm).
Meanwhile, Cherries youngster Frank Vincent has joined Torquay United on loan until the end of the season.
There has also been a move for defender Corey Jordan, who joins Eastbourne Borough on loan for the remainder of the campaign.
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