‘Wish him well’ - Eddie Howe responds to Newcastle United v Aston Villa injury blow

Newcastle United beat Aston Villa 5-1 in their Premier League opener - but the day was tinged with a little bit of sadness for Eddie Howe.

After taking a 2-1 lead through Sandro Tonali and Alexander Isak, there was a lengthy first-half stoppage after Tyrone Mings went down with a knee injury.

The England international was stretchered off at St James’ Park and replaced by Pau Torres as the Magpies went on to win comfortably following another goal from Isak and strikes from substitutes Callum Wilson and Harvey Barnes.

After the game, Villa boss Unai Emery feared another serious injury having already lost Emi Bunedia to an ACL injury in training on Wednesday.

“It doesn’t look good,” said Emery. He is injured. This week has been very tough, we lost Emi Buendia and today we lost Tyrone Mings, two important players in the squad.

Everything this week is not working well but we are going to react. I want to be positive with the players we have and we can change the situation.”

Howe signed Mings for Bournemouth from Ipswich Town in 2015 and the defender sustained a similar injury just six minutes into his Cherries debut. The Magpies head coach sent his best wishes to the 30-year-old.

“You never want to see that kind of situation for any player,” Howe said. “I don’t know the extent of the injury but it looks a nasty one but obviously time will tell on that.

“I signed Tyrone, it feels like a long time ago and I think on his debut for us he got a really serious injury but I have to say he faced that period out with incredible courage and resilience.

“What he’s done since that moment to go on and play for his country and be outstanding in the Premier League is a testament to that resilience. I certainly wish him well and send him all my love.”

Mings made just 22 appearances in a three-and-half-year spell at Bournemouth before making the switch to Aston Villa.