Aston Villa striker Danny Ings would be allowed to leave this month with interest believed to be coming from Southampton amid their struggles.

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According to the TalkSport insider Alex Crook, Unai Emery and Villa would not stand in the way of Ings if the right proposal was to arrive on the table at Villa Park.

He said: "I'm told from reliable sources that Aston Villa wouldn't stand in his way this month if a club did come calling.

"Maybe a loan move, maybe even a permanent move away from Villa Park because I think they want to provide some funds for Unai Emery to bring in his own players."

Southampton are believed to be one of the sides showing an interest in the 30-year-old with Bournemouth also mooted as a potential landing spot for the striker.

Under Emery, Villa have made a bright start which included an impressive display away to Tottenham Hotspur which has seen them rise up to 12th in the Premier League table.

Ings to return to Saints?

Although Ings has now made 17 appearances for Villa in the Premier League this season, under half of those have come from the starting XI (via Transfermarkt).

On paper, a return of six goals in the league does not appear too shabby, however, perhaps the issue comes when four of those goals have come across two games meaning he has featured in 13 league games without a goal.

And despite scoring twice in Emery's second game in charge at Villa Park, it has become apparent Ings may not be in his immediate plans with just 130 minutes of league action to his name under the Spaniard.

Even in the defeat against Manchester United in the Carabao Cup, Emery only kept the striker on the pitch for less than an hour of action at Old Trafford.

It is, therefore, slightly surprising to see Ings sidelined when Ollie Watkins has not exactly provided a breathtaking return in the Premier League with two goals fewer than the 30-year-old in almost 600 more minutes.

Ings has failed to provide the goals which he did during his time at Southampton where the Englishman has scored 46 times across his 100 appearances for the Saints in all competitions (via Transfermarkt).

And given Nathan Jones' men find themselves struggling at the bottom of the league table, an addition like Ings could provide them with the difference between Premier League and Championship football next season.

But if they are to sign Ings, he will still likely need to improve his output in front of goal but the prospect of more regular football could help him rediscover his best form shown not too long ago on the south coast.