Villa Park transfer news: Danny Ings is still a 'key part' of Aston Villa's future

Journalist Pete O’Rourke reckons that Danny Ings remains a “key part” of Aston Villa‘s plans moving forward despite his lack of chances under Steven Gerrard.

The striker only made the switch from Southampton for £25m last summer but has been overlooked by Gerrard of late.

When Ings arrived at Villa he looked set to become first-choice striker, with Ollie Watkins, who was their number one through the middle last season, likely to move out wide.

That proved the case early on as Ings started the opening nine Premier League games of the season and would chip in with three goals and two assists.

But since the arrival of Gerrard, Ings has found minutes hard to come by, starting just five of his 13 top-flight games in charge, highlighting exactly how quickly he’s fallen out of favour.

He was recalled to the starting line-up against Watford on Saturday but was Villa’s worst-rated starter on the day (6.20) as they slipped to a 1-0 defeat.

Ings had three shots, although none were on target and managed just 13 more touches than Watkins, who only played the final 33 minutes.

Transfer insider Dean Jones recently said that Ings could be available to leave Villa at the end of the season, although O’Rourke doesn’t think there should be any concerns over his future.

He told GIVEMESPORT: “I don’t think there’s any doubts over his future. I still think he’s a key part of Villa’s plans going forward. He was a big signing.”

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Despite not being a nailed on starter, Ings has started more than 50 percent of Villa’s Premier League games, featuring in all but six.

That will no doubt still frustrate the striker, who was used to being one of the first names on the teamsheet at