OPINION
Leeds United are reportedly keen on a deal for Liverpool attacker Danny Ings in January, but Aston Villa should look to hijack the move.
The Football Whispers section of ESPN FC claim that the Championship side are interested in the 25-year-old and that he could be allowed to leave Anfield on loan in January to experience regular first-team football.
Ings has struggled with injuries during his time with Liverpool since his £8million move from Burnley and needs a fresh move to reignite his career.
Villa should consider joining the race for the centre-forward as he could have the firepower needed to take them back to the Premier League.
Steve Bruce’s side would be good enough to secure automatic promotion with the one-time capped England international in their attack.
The Midlands giants are just five points adrift of early pace setters Cardiff in the Championship table and are well placed to get promotion if they add a few extra goals in January, with their defence beginning to look resolute with John Terry at the heart of it.
Ings may have suffered with injuries recently, but is ready to make his comeback and would have a point to prove if he dropped down to the Championship.
Villa already have some talented attackers in the shape of Jonathan Kodjia, Scott Hogan and Keinan Davis.
They would have arguably the best forward options in the division if they added the current Liverpool fringe player to their ranks and could rotate across a busy schedule.
Ings has good experience in the Championship with 27 goals in 87 league games for Burnley and would be able to tear apart most defences with his clever movement.
The forward also has a brilliant touch in front of goal and just needs a run of games to restore his confidence.
He was good enough to break into the England squad in the past and can return to that form if he stays injury free.
Villa would be adding a top quality player if they managed to beat Leeds to Ings’ signature and his goals could be the difference between automatic promotion or a play-off spot.