Aston Villa have issued the following press statement in what is a shock and surprise move for a player who had expressed a desire to sign for a club in the Champions league.

Aston Villa is delighted to announce the signing of Danny Ings.

The England striker has signed a three-year deal after joining for an undisclosed fee from Southampton.

Ings, 29, scored 14 goals last term for both club and country and joins summer recruits Leon Bailey, Emi Buendía and Ashley Young at Villa Park.

Head Coach Dean Smith said: “Danny is an outstanding Premier League footballer who has scored goals wherever he has played.

"He is also a top professional with a great character who will be a leader in our squad and a role model for our rapidly developing young Academy players who are now in and around the first team. I am delighted to welcome Danny to our great Club.”

A few days ago Ralph Hasenhuttl spoke of how players no longer wanted to be club legends, little did we know that he was referring to Danny ings, Saints fans would not have been happy to see him leave, but they could accept if it was to a club in the Champions League or even to a lesser extend the Europa League, but to go to Aston Villa a club who finished 11th is a kick in the teeth to Saints who resurrected his career three years ago.

Photo: Action Images

PezzaSaint added 13:45 - Aug 5 Agree with San Marco on this, Danny Ings has gone down in my estimations. But it is hard facts of life supporting a smaller Premier league club and has been for a good while, but is getting worse, players have no loyalty and tell porkies! If what SaintMark1976 says is correct then you can’t see too much of the Ings money coming back for a replacement, hope I’m wrong! Me fears a very hard season, Che will have to show his Scotland form and Tella will have to have developed a lot over the summer.

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