Aston Villa: £120k-a-week star now 'born again' under Emery | OneFootball

Aston Villa striker Danny Ings has been given a “new lease of life” under new head coach Unai Emery, according to journalist Dean Jones.

The 30-year-old had at times struggled to score enough goals for the Villans under previous boss Steven Gerrard, but his Villa Park career has been given a boost by the arrival of the Spaniard.

What is the latest news involving Ings?

With Ings having just 19 months left on his existing £120k-a-week contract, Birmingham Live report that talks are ongoing regarding a deal to extend his stay for a while longer, owing to very good form in recent weeks.

Teammate Matty Cash has recently outlined just how important the Englishman is to Villa, describing his movement in front of goal as “brilliant”, while also stating that he is one of the “smartest” players that the Poland international has played with.

The prolific striker netted twice in the Villans’ last match before the break for the World Cup, sealing a 2-1 victory at Brighton & Hove Albion, and so he has really put down a marker for the new man in the dugout that he is worthy of leading the frontline.

Jones previously stated that Ings was likely to be sought-after property in the January transfer window, however he also claimed that this depended on whether Gerrard was still at the club, as he was growing frustrated, so he may now be more likely to pen a new deal.

What has Jones said about Ings?

Jones believes that Emery will be happy with the contribution that the three-time England international has made so far and that Ings himself will be very pleased that he has been given an opportunity at Villa.

The journalist told GIVEMESPORT: “He’ll be loving what Danny Ings has brought so far. I think Ings is kind of born again now that he’s got a new lease of life, he wanted this opportunity to thrive at Aston Villa and he’s going to get it.

“I think that’s great, and it’s something that he will embrace.”

Do Aston Villa need a new striker?

It has previously been indicated that Villa may look to bring in a new striker in the January transfer window, with Pete O’Rourke outlining Jonathan David as a potential target, while Corriere dello Sport, via Roma Press, also name the Villans as one of the clubs interested in Roma forward Tammy Abraham.

It is a sign of how much the project at Villa Park has developed that they are able to attract well-known names such as these. However, if they are unable to land a younger option, Ings is perfectly suitable to lead the line for the foreseeable future.

When given the opportunity to really flourish at previous club Southampton, the talisman netted 22 goals in 38 Premier League appearances during the 2019/20 season, highlighting the level that he can get to if he is given a prolonged spell in the team.

Given that Ings is now at the age of 30, Emery may soon have to think about a long-term replacement for the man who has scored five Premier League goals this season, but in light of his fine form in recent weeks, a transfer switch for a striker does not need to be made anytime soon.