Robinson tells Villa ‘to replace’ Ings for Bissouma

Danny Ings joined Aston Villa for £26.5m from Southampton last August and has made 25 appearances in all competitions, scoring just five goals with five assists.

The 29-year-old has netted only one goal since January and doesn’t always command a starting place under Steven Gerrard, so it’s fair to say his debut season hasn’t gone to plan.

Despite having two years remaining on his deal at Villa Park, Ings is already being linked with a departure amid interest from Brighton & Hove Albion, so his future in the Midlands is uncertain.

Ings going to Brighton could see Yves Bissouma moving in the opposition direction too – the defensive-midfielder Villa have been desperate to sign – so there might be temptation to make the switch.

Paul Robinson says he would offload the England international to bring in Bissouma, telling Football Insider: “(Ings has) not settled at Villa. He hasn’t had the goals or the impact that I expected him to. At the beginning of the season, many people were tipping him to be one of the coups of the summer.

“It hasn’t worked out for him or Villa. Bissouma is a top player, and we know Gerrard has been after him since he took the job. If Ings leaves, they’d have to replace him – but it’s worth doing if they can get Bissouma in.”

Gerrard has made it clear that he wants a defensive-midfielder this summer and Villa have been linked with Boubacar Kamara and Kalvin Phillips in addition to Bissouma.

Ings’ sale would require a new striker to be brought in, but Bissouma is arguably a more important signing than another centre-forward so Villa have a tough decision to make.

In other news, Kevin Campbell says Douglas Luiz should join Arsenal