Steven Gerrard gushes over Danny Ings ahead of Aston Villa showdown v Burnley
Steven Gerrard has gushed over Aston Villa forward Danny Ings despite insisting that the Englishman is his own “worst critic”.
The 29-year-old has had a hand in 12 goals in the Premier League this season since making the £25million move from Southampton in the summer.
Gerrard was adamant about the strikers’ ability, branding him a “top quality” player whilst urging him to fire the Lions higher up the Premier League table.
But told the Express and Star: “In terms of Danny Ings and what we think of him and how important he is to us, I don’t have to answer that question. I think it goes without saying.
“We love the kid, we love the player. He is very much part of our thoughts. When he is firing without these niggles and his focus is on the game he is a big threat for Aston Villa. I think he has proved that.
“From now until the end of the season we want his quality and goals to put us in a better place in this league.”
Gerrard added: “I think he is his own worst critic. I certainly wouldn’t read too much into that. He certainly hasn’t been underwhelming for me.
“That is not the way I see it. But I think that sums up Danny. He is very humble, very authentic and self-critical, which is probably the reason he’s played a good level his whole career and why when he is at it, you see a top-quality player.”
Spot on.
Gerrard has hit the nail on the head with this one. Aston Villa fans largely knew what they were getting when they signed Ings.
His career has been more or less the same at every club he has been at – and there are now quite a few.
The journeyman is excellent in front of goal – a clinical finisher that can win you games.
The problem is he spends too much time on the treatment table, injured. That will be the most agonising thing for the player which is why he isn’t completely happy with his first season at Villa Park.
Make no mistake, the former Liverpool man has a lot more to give but 12 goal involvements in 25 games is hardly a terrible record.
Gerrard will hope to get him in the best shape of his career ahead of next season because a fully fit and in form Ings is very dangerous.
In other Aston Villa news, Villa should sell Douglas Luiz and replace him with Yves Bissouma