Aston Villa: Matty Cash stunned by Danny Ings after quick start under Unai Emery
Aston Villa defender Matty Cash has labelled Danny Ings “one of the smartest players” he has ever played with and praised the forward’s “brilliant” movement, in an interview with VillaTV.
Ings is Villa’s top scorer so far this season with five Premier League goals including a brace against Brighton in the club’s last match prior to the World Cup break.
Since moving to Villa Park in the 2021 summer transfer window, the 30-year-old has struggled for consistent game time as he fights for a starting berth alongside Ollie Watkins.
The Englishman has therefore started just eight of the team’s 15 matches so far this season, but Cash waxed lyrical about the forward’s potent finishing and all-around forward play.
Speaking to VillaTV, the Polish right-back said: “I was delighted for Danny. He is one of the smartest players I have ever played with. His record speaks for itself. He’s scored goals at the highest level. Any striker needs goals and he got them at Brighton.
“His movement in front of goal is brilliant. He knows when to run and when to get in the middle of the goal.
“That is why he has scored so many goals in his career. Any striker needs to watch him and his movement because he is brilliant.”
Best yet to come
Although Ings is currently Villa’s top goal scorer this season, he will expect more returns under new manager Unai Emery.
The ex-Southampton striker will hope that the Spaniard will reward his recent goalscoring returns with an extended run of games in the starting XI ahead of Watkins – who was preferred by the recently departed Steven Gerrard.
Although he has struggled to find his top form in a Claret and Blue shirt, he has still returned 13 goals and seven assists from 47 appearances for the club and is always a goal threat with the dangerous positions he takes up.
Ings can still have a successful stint at Villa Park but he must show Unai Emery that his work off the ball and in the press can match that of Watkins – who is renowned for his aggressive press – and therefore why he should be the starting number nine for the club.
In other news, View: John McGinn has adapted well to new Aston Villa role.