Villa have confirmed the signing of 29 year old Southampton and England striker Danny Ings in a £25m deal.
The move bolsters Villa’s attacking options ahead of the 2021/2022 season, with Dean Smith looking to push on in what will be the club’s third term back in the Premier League.
Ings arrives in his prime, and despite prior injury concerns, has moulded into a predatory top-flight goalscorer.
Good form for Burnley saw the England international make a big money move to Liverpool in 2015. Whilst his stay at Anfield was injury blighted, Ings’ three year spell at St. Mary’s delivered an almost one in two strike rate.
Villa boss Dean Smith has commented:
“Danny is an outstanding Premier League footballer who has scored goals wherever he has played.
dean smith
“He is also a top professional with a great character who will be a leader in our squad and a role model for our rapidly developing young Academy players who are now in and around the first team. I am delighted to welcome Danny to our great Club.”
Dean smith
Ings joins Villa from Southampton for a reported £25 million and a 3 year deal.
Whilst the arrival of Ings can only be welcomed, it raises questions about what shape and style Villa will adopt for the year ahead.
With Keinan Davis expected to have been shipped out on loan (with injury scuppering that), Smith was likely left pondering the unpredictable Wesley as back-up for Ollie Watkins.
Not only does Ings provide proven firepower in rotation as required, it also opens up the tantalising prospect of Villa having the justification for going two up top.