'How?!' - The 'unbelievable' moment Aston Villa's Tyrone Mings pulled off the 'save of the season’
Published 04/03/2025 at 20:31 GMT
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Ally McCoist insisted that Aston Villa centre-back Tyrone Mings pulled off the "save of the season" in his side's UEFA Champions League last 16 first-leg victory over Club Brugge. Minutes after Mings diverted Hans Vanaken's header beyond the post, Villa netted two late sucker punch goals through a Brandon Mechele own-goal and Marco Asensio spot-kick to take a two-goal advantage to Villa Park.
‘Save of the season’ – Mings rescues Villa with 'unbelievable' clearance off the line
Video credit: TNT Sports
Ally McCoist was in awe as Tyrone Mings pulled off an exceptional clearance during a Champions League last 16 encounter between Aston Villa and Club Brugge.
With the score locked at 1-1, Brugge’s Hans Vanaken rose unmarked to meet a cross, only for his header to go a whisker wide of the far post.
While the referee awarded Villa a goal kick, replays showed that centre-back Mings actually diverted the ball beyond his post.
"How does...?!" TNT Sports pundit McCoist said, upon realising Mings’ intervention had prevented a goal. "I think that’s the save of the season from Tyrone Mings.
"That’s unbelievable. How does he keep it out, the boy? You’d think with his body shape he’d have to knock it in the back of the net. Brilliant defending."
McCoist added: "As brilliant as the save was, he's probably disappointed the corner wasn’t given [as not everyone would know he cleared it off the line].
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'A farcical situation!' - Brugge ahead after referee awards ridiculous Mings handball
Video credit: TNT Sports
"But that was fantastic. If he gets a touch on it, he’s got to knock it into the goal.
"One of the best clearances I’ve seen in a long time. No word of a lie."
The clearance proved to be hugely consequential. It was also redemptive for Mings, who gave away a bizarre penalty against the same opposition back in November when, believing the game had not yet restarted, the England international was penalised for picking up the ball and placing it on the six-yard line to take a goal kick.
Vanaken scored the subsequent penalty, which proved to be the only goal of that game.
However, things were far rosier for Unai Emery’s side on Tuesday.
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Despite Villa’s early lead through Leon Bailey having been cancelled out by Maxim De Cuyper, the Premier League outfit went on to net two late strikes through a Brandon Mechele own-goal and Marco Asensio spot-kick.
After the game, former Manchester United centre-back Rio Ferdinand said: "Redemption. This is the game changer. The game falls on the moment. The momentum switched. [Brugge] are thinking, 'How many chances are we going to get? And then they get sucker-punched.
"Tyrone Mings - I was pleased it was him involved in that moment."
Villa take a 3-1 lead to Villa Park, with the reverse fixture on Wednesday, March 12. You can watch the game live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
TNT Sports will show over 500 matches from the UEFA Champions League, the UEFA Europa League and the UEFA Conference League across the 2024-25 season. The streaming home for TNT Sports in the UK is discovery+, where fans can enjoy a subscription that includes TNT Sports, Eurosport and entertainment in one destination.
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