Tyrone Mings demands social media trolls apologise to Aston Villa match-winner Anwar El Ghazi
Tyrone Mings demanded social media trolls apologise to Anwar El Ghazi after the winger became Villa’s unlikely derby match-winner against Wolves.
El Ghazi, making just his fourth substitute appearance of the season in the Premier League, fired home a stoppage time penalty to earn Dean Smith’s men a 1-0 win at Molineux on Saturday.
The 25-year-old, a hero of Villa’s promotion 2018-19 campaign who has been on the fringes this term, had deactivated his social media accounts in October after being targeted by a section of fans following the club’s Carabao Cup exit to Stoke.
Posting on his own Twitter account on Sunday, Villa defender Mings wrote: “I really hope all you who were berating and hounding El Ghazi enough to make him suspend his social media, are in his DM’s (direct messages) today, apologising.
“A team game utilises a WHOLE squad and we need everyone... may your apology be as loud as the disrespect.”
El Ghazi’s goal, which earned Villa a fourth win in five away matches this season, was his first since netting a late consolation from the spot in January’s 6-1 defeat to Manchester City.
The Dutchman was picked out by skipper Jack Grealish to take Saturday’s penalty after John McGinn was brought down by Nelson Semedo in the box. Ollie Watkins had missed from the spot in Villa’s previous match at West Ham.
“To be honest, I didn’t feel much pressure,” said El Ghazi. “I practice a lot with shooting drills and penalties, even when I've not been playing. I practice a lot and it's something you get used to. I didn't feel pressure to be honest.
“It was between Ollie and Jack for the penalty and I appreciate Jack gave it to me. I think he would take it but he knows my capabilities of taking penalties and it shows he's a really good guy to give it to me.”
