Three keys to Aston Villa’s success in 2022/23: Identity, No.9, Ramsey

Choose between Ollie Watkins or Danny Ings

Danny Ings’ summer arrival from Southampton ahead of the 2021/22 season always had the potential to disrupt Aston Villa’s pre-existing options in attack.

Albeit sparse – Ollie Watkins the only other obvious striker candidate – Watkins was signed under the proviso he’d be the leading man.

He provided a steady output in his maiden season in the top-flight after joining from then Championship outfit Brentford – notching 14 goals and five assists in 37 appearances in 2020/21.

A player that evidently thrives off responsibility, the addition of an established Ings meant that had to be shared with many now viewing Watkins as the second in command.

Ings’ record is undeniable and dwarfs his less-experienced teammate, but he struggled to find the form shown previously. The 29-year-old managed seven goals in 2021/22, a meagre amount in comparison to the 12 and 22 recorded the two seasons prior.

The easiest conclusion to come to is that they are counter-productive for one another. Gerrard tried to fit them into his lone striker formation with Watkins fielded wide of his strike partner.

And while instances of this showed potential such as back-to-back wins over Norwich and Burnley, the Villa boss tends to favour a creative winger that drops deep alongside a more direct representative.

You’d have thought Watkins would suit the latter, but he can be found lacking in regard to chance creation and a tendency to drift centrally risks suffocating Ings who is undoubtedly most effective when up front on his own.

A clear and obvious first-choice striker needs to be identified. Who out of the two is down to taste, but it is vital one is given the opportunity to make it their own.