Gerrard has little choice but to keep Ings

Despite suggestions that Danny Ings could be sold by Aston Villa this summer, Read Aston Villa noted that the 29-year-old would be difficult to offload after just one year in the Midlands. Matt Maher of the Express and Star has now confirmed that Ings won’t be sold and has a future under Steven Gerrard.

While the England international had a disappointing debut season, it’s not a major surprise that Villa will be keeping him. Selling Ings and making back every penny they paid would be difficult as his stock is low currently. There won’t be many suitors paying £25m and £120k-per-week in wages for striker that only managed seven goals in 30 Premier League games.

Gerrard was expected to sign a new centre-forward this summer as Ings might have been replaced, but it’s likely he’ll stick with Ings, Ollie Watkins and maybe Cameron Archer. Villa were 9th in the Premier League for goals (52) last season and boasted three players having a hand in more than 10 goals – Ollie Watkins (35 games, 11 goals, 2 assists), Danny Ings (30 games, 7 goals, 6 assists), Emiliano Buendia (35 games, 4 goals, 6 assists).

In other news, Steven Gerrard will need to sign left-back after Matt Targett and Ashley Young departures