Following on from Aston Villa's rather aggressive strategy in bringing players in, they may look to do the same in getting rid of players, with a trio of first-team names potentially on their way out of Villa Park.

In a surprising twist, Danny Ings is one of the named players that could depart this summer.

What's the word

That is according to Josh Holland via GIVEMESPORT who said this:

"I think they [Aston Villa] could be in trouble. Douglas Luiz, Sanson and Ings, they are my three that I think we could see moving away from Villa Park."

As per Football Insider, Brighton would serve as a potential destination for former Liverpool striker Ings, who has completed just one campaign with Villa.

Supporters surely worried

Despite inconsistent minutes for Aston Villa in the second half of the campaign, Ings has still managed to deliver the goods up top, racking up an impressive seven goals and six assists in 30 appearances for Gerrard's side.

Which is why it comes as a shock that the three-cap England international would be allowed to leave after just one season, particularly bearing in mind Villa's lack of quality depth in the centre-forward position.

Keeping in mind the club's ambition to break into the top six of the Premier League, the departure of a star studded striker like Ings would come as a blow to Gerrard - especially given the fact that they would need to fork out a large fee for an adequate replacement in a market where reliable goal scorers are rare and often come with inflated price-tags.

Whats more, £100k-per-week Ings knows the league well and has a point to prove in this next season, as he will join Ollie Watkins in making a strong case to earn a call-up to England's World Cup squad.

At 29, Ings is in the prime of his career, so selling a striker who hit 22 goals in the Premier League just two seasons ago would be a big mistake for Villa and one that'll surely worry their supporters.

In other news: Gerrard now given green light on AVFC move for "goal machine", he's the next Ferguson