DEFENDER Tyrone Mings admitted returning to Aston Villa from Cherries on a permanent deal felt like a “natural fit”.

The 26-year-old sealed a move believed to be worth around £26.5million to the Midlands outfit on Monday.

Mings helped Dean Smith’s side gain promotion to the Premier League through the Championship play-offs last season while on loan at Villa Park.

He played 18 games for Villa, including the 2-1 play-off final victory over Derby at Wembley.

Speaking to the Villa website, the former Ipswich star said: “I am obviously delighted to be back.

“After the journey we went on for the second half of the season – last year – it felt like a natural fit for me to come back here as a permanent player.

“I am delighted that, eventually, it got done.”

He added: “I don’t mean to be disrespectful to Bournemouth but I knew from day one that this was a great fit. I’ve made no secret that I have really enjoyed my time here.

“There was never really anywhere else that I wanted to go.

“It’s been a long summer waiting for things to happen and various rumours crop up of whether it’s going to happen or isn’t going to happen.

“I always had faith that it would. I’m thankful for the people that were involved in that at Bournemouth and Aston Villa and my agent, obviously.”

Mings could face a quick reunion with Cherries when Eddie Howe’s men travel to Villa Park on August 17.