Danny Ings: Pundit issues ‘phenomenal’ verdict after Aston Villa reveal
Noel Whelan has insisted “phenomenal finisher” Danny Ings is “thriving” alongside Aston Villa teammate Ollie Watkins.
The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, claimed the partnership is “flourishing” with the pair “building that telepathy”.
Ings notched a goal and two assists as Aston Villa thumped the striker’s former side Southampton 4-0 at Villa Park on Saturday (5 March).
Speaking post-match and quoted by Birmingham Live, manager Steven Gerrard hailed the England international – claiming he “did a lot of good things” during the win and praised the striker’s “really important” role in holding up the ball.
Watkins also netted during the convincing victory – bringing his league tally for the season to seven.
Whelan insisted the pair have silenced their critics after a barren spell over the festive period.
“He’s thriving – playing in a two really works for him, we saw that at Southampton,” he told Football Insider‘s Ewan Kingsbury.
“He’s showing what a good player he is and how dangerous he can be when he drops between the lines to feed Ollie Watkins.
“He is a phenomenal finisher as well, and we’re really seeing that partnership work with Watkins. They’re building that telepathy, which is key to any good side.
“It’s what we’ve been asking for. They’ve had questions asked of them, criticism about the lack of goals – but they’ve shown exactly why Aston Villa paid the money to get them both in.
“They’re big players and they are goalscorers. It’s a partnership which is really flourishing now.”
Ings, who joined Aston Villa last summer (2021) for a reported £30million, has registered five goals and four assists this term.
The Midlands side, who sit 11th in the Premier League, face Leeds on Thursday (10 March).
In other news, Kieran Maguire salutes Aston Villa after “fantastic” £56m document reveal.