Mings in the clear after FA review

VILLA defender Tyrone Mings has escaped a ban for clashing with Reading forward Nelson Oliveira after the FA found there was no case to answer.

Oliveira required surgery for sickening gashes to his face after he was caught by the studs on Mings’ right boot as he lay on the pitch (pictured).

The FA reviewed video footage of the incident in Saturday’s 0-0 draw at the Madejski Stadium after it appeared to go unnoticed by referee Geoff Eltringham.

Yet football’s governing body decided not to take any further action because the matter had been seen by match officials.

Mings, who made his Villa debut after joining on loan from Bournemouth last week, would have been hit with at least a three-match ban had he been found guilty retrospectively of violent conduct.

The 25-year-old received a five-game suspension for stamping on Manchester United attacker Zlatan Ibrahimovic in a game at Old Trafford in March 2017.

Mings immediately gestured for the Reading man to receive treatment following the clash and issued a swift apology. He tracked Oliveira down after the match to check on his welfare and the pair shook hands. He also took to Twitter to reiterate his concern. “Feel awfully sorry to Oliveira, I hope he is OK,” Mings posted.

Former Premier League referee Mark Halsey felt it was a collision Mings could have avoided and that he should have been punished.

“I cannot imagine any footballer from any level would deliberately stamp on another player’s head, only Tyrone will know,” he said.

One player who did leave the Madejski with his reputation intact was Villa keeper Lovre Kalinic, who was buoyed by his first clean sheet for the club. The 28-year-old, signed from Gent in the transfer window, produced good first-half saves from Oliveira and Liam Moore to keep the relegation-threatened hosts at bay.

“I’ve played five games in a row and have my clean sheet now, which I’m happy about,” said Kalinic. “It’s been a new club and a new environment for me over the last month. I’ve needed time to adapt but now I think good times are coming.”

Villa will need to show their defensive fortitude again on Friday night when third-placed Sheffield United visit Villa Park.