'There is a real excitement' around the final - Mings
[Getty Images] Aston Villa defender Tyrone Mings has said "there is a real excitement" around the club before Wednesday's Europa League final against Freiburg. The 33-year-old, who has been with the club since their promotion season back to the Premier League in 2019, is looking forward to the prospect of bringing home a first European trophy in 44 years for the supporters. "It's an amazing moment and for the fans mainly," Mings told BBC Radio WM.
"Of course we are excited, but in recent years, the fans have seen other clubs winning trophies and had a slight jealousy that we haven't been able to do that with the team that we've got. "We've not been able to get over the line and bring a trophy back so I think there is a real excitement for that. "The manager speaks a lot about how privileged we are to be able to feel that pressure as well.
It's a positive thing because the alternative is a low-pressure environment and not competing for these things. "And as a player who has been here for a long time, it probably means that little bit more. "The manager is somewhat of a European genius and he always reiterates that the Premier League is the most important thing because it increases the revenues to compete with the financial restrictions put in place.
But he still delivers these amazing European runs whilst focusing on the Premier League as much as we can. "Finding that balance as a squad is something he should take massive credit for. "In recent years, it has been a special time to be a Villa fan.
There's a lot of history around the club and we are trying to add to that. " Hit play below to hear more from Mings, or listen here on BBC Sounds