Former Aston Villa star points to Liverpool forward as potential transfer target for Steven Gerrard

Former Aston Villa and England international Stewart Downing says he has seen the recent rumours linking Liverpool forward Divock Origi with a move to Villa Park this summer and it ‘wouldn’t surprise’ him to see the addition of one or two new players of that mould.

Origi is out of contract at Anfield this summer and the expectation is that it won’t be renewed leaving him available for a free transfer after June 30th.

The Belgian striker has been utilised predominantly as an impact sub durng his time with the Reds but impact he certainly has had.

He’s become accustomed to scoring big goals in big games including the Champions League final victory in 2019 so there’s no hiding the fact he will be a sought after commodity this summer.

There has been the odd rumour here and there linking him with a move to Villa Park and Downing agrees that it is ‘probably’ an option manager Steven Gerrard is looking at.

“I’ve seen that rumour,” Downing told bettingexpert.

“When I see him play, you don’t get to see a lot of him as he’s normally coming off the bench!

“So I haven’t seen him get a run of games and what he could be. But, he sure knows how to score and that’s a good quality to have.

“I’m sure he’s someone Steven (Gerrard) might probably be looking at thinking, ‘He could get me goals in big games’.”

Despite signing Danny Ings for big money in the summer, Villa have failed to get the best out of him and their forward options as a whole.

The 0-0 draw with Leicester City last weekend made it four games in a row where Gerrard’s men have failed to find the net from open play and Downing believes because of this, we could see more than one new face in that area arrive this summer.

“It wouldn’t surprise me if Steven looked to bring in a couple of forwards next year,” he continued.

“I think Watkins is decent and I think Danny Ings looks slightly out of the pitch at the minute.

“I think you might go right through the spine of the team, I think you look at strikers because you definitely need goals.

“Obviously if you can add Coutinho to that creativity and obviously I think you need a couple of defenders, as I don’t think they’re as strong defensively as he’d (Gerrard) probably like.”

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