{"id":49084,"date":"2021-09-04T01:13:26","date_gmt":"2021-09-03T14:13:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/astonvilla.co.uk\/finding-the-balance-the-ings-and-watkins-dilemma\/"},"modified":"2021-09-25T05:26:27","modified_gmt":"2021-09-24T18:26:27","slug":"finding-the-balance-the-ings-and-watkins-dilemma","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/astonvilla.co.uk\/finding-the-balance-the-ings-and-watkins-dilemma\/","title":{"rendered":"Finding the Balance: The Ings and Watkins Dilemma"},"content":{"rendered":"
As Aston Villa enter the international break, a question that lingers on many fans mind\u2019s is how to fit both Danny Ings and Ollie Watkins in the same XI. Throughout Villa\u2019s first three games, Danny Ings has been the spearhead of Villa\u2019s attack, playing as a sole striker in Smith\u2019s favoured 4-2-3-1 formation.<\/p>\n
However, with Ollie Watkins likely to return to full fitness after the international break, Smith has the tough decision on how to fit both strikers in the side. Watkins, who netted 14 times for Villa last season has the flexibility to play as a winger as previously shown under Smith at Brentford<\/a>, but his performances last season would suggest that playing as a number nine is his preferred position.<\/p>\n Ings, who moved from Southampton in August for a reported \u00a330 million transfer fee, is a proven Premier League striker, having scored 46 times for Southampton since 2018. Since the 2019\/20 season Ings has had a 32% shot conversion rate, a percentage that cannot be bettered by anyone throughout the league. Couple this with his big chance conversion rate of 61% and Villa are looking at the classic number 9 who won\u2019t miss many chances when played through on goal.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n In the 2020\/21 season, Villa lacked ruthlessness in front of goal despite netting 55 times. We sat 14th in Conversion Rate in the league table although we had the 5th highest number of attempts on goal (only bettered by Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester City and Leeds).<\/p>\n Although we are only three games into the new season, the impact of Ings can already be seen from a statistical point of view. So far this season Villa have struggled to create clear cut chances, sitting bottom of the league in total shots on goal. However, in contrast to that Villa now possess the highest conversion rate in the league. It is still early days, but it wouldn\u2019t surprise me if Villa\u2019s conversion rate continued to thrive due to the inclusion of Ings.<\/p>\n Coupling the clinical touch of Ings with the pace and power of Watkins should create for a dynamic strike force, however, finding a balance to have both in the side is another issue. Villa have struggled to dominate games in the midfield so far this season, so finding space for both these strikers without leaving us shorthanded in midfield will be a tough balance to strike.<\/p>\n When looking at potential ways of fitting both Ings and Watkins in the starting XI as centre-forwards, a possible 4-1-3-2 could be one to look out for.<\/p>\n The back four would be as usual for Villa, just with a slight twist offensively. With a midfield protector sitting directly in front of our back four (effectively acting as a third centre-back when off the ball), the fullbacks would have the license to push forward and offer width for the team. Both Ashley Young and Matty Cash are ex-wingers so feel at home offensively, whilst Matt Targett showed his attacking abilities last season, linking up with Jack Grealish time after time.<\/p>\n With the full-backs pushing forward in this formation, the protective shield for the back four would be essential. Luckily Villa posses two players in Marvelous Nakamba and Douglas Luiz who feel at home performing this role. This position would be the key to the whole game-plan, ensuring that Villa doesn\u2019t get caught out in transition as we have done on numerous occasions this season.<\/p>\n I\u2019m happy here 👊🏾🔥 pic.twitter.com\/xSChrB8qi2<\/a><\/p>\nWhy Ings and Villa are the Perfect Fit<\/h3>\n
How a 4-1-3-2 could look for Villa<\/h3>\n
The Back Four:<\/h5>\n
The Midfield Balance:<\/h5>\n
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