Danny Ings is gone but don’t let his departure overshadow the fact that Ralph Hasenhuttl has some exciting young talents in his Saints side

You would be forgiven if you had forgotten that Southampton played a football match on Wednesday evening with the Saints’ penultimate pre-season friendly against Levante kicking off at 7 pm, only 20 minutes after Aston Villa announced that they had secured the signing of star striker Danny Ings.

The 29-year-old has been subject to transfer speculation for a handful of months, with it quite clear that he didn’t want to sign a contract extension on the south coast. However, no one foresaw what was to come.

20 minutes before Southampton’s pre-season friendly against Levante, Aston Villa tweeted that Danny Ings had joined the West Midlands club on a three-year deal. There had been no rumours, no articles. It was a complete shock.

Admittedly, the news overshadowed the fact that the Saints were playing an important friendly match. The fact that it turned out to be an uninspiring game added to the fact that the events on the pitch were always going to be foggy given the colossal piece of news.

However, had you watched the game with full attention and interest, you would have noticed that no matter what pessimistic fans spout regarding Southampton’s prospects for the season, the Saints have a handful of exciting prospects in their squad.

The likes of Nathan Tella, Mohammed Salisu, Ibrahima Diallo and Romain Perraud all impressed on Wednesday evening. The common factor linking the quartet is that they are 23 years old or younger.

Earlier this week, Southampton also signed exciting 18-year-old full-back Tino Livramento from Chelsea to provide back-up to the likes of Perraud and Kyle Walker-Peters, who could be involved in the Saints’ final friendly against Athletic Bilbao on Saturday.

The Saints ran out 1-0 winners thanks to Walker-Peters’ precise low finish after a dominant performance that arguably warranted more goals for the hosts. It was also a good night for the aforementioned gems that Saints have in their possession.

For Perraud, it was the first opportunity to play in front of Southampton fans after his £12 million move from Stade Brest earlier in the window, and the left-back impressed.

When Southampton had the ball, the Frenchman made it his mission to be involved, with fellow countryman Diallo slotting in as cover.

He was in the thick of things with a few decent crosses, tackles and interceptions. Perraud didn’t set the world alight but he’s certainly begun his Saints tenure on good terms with the fanbase after not only a good performance on Wednesday but decent showings against Cardiff and Swansea too.

Mohammed Salisu was also impressive once again at the back. A second clean sheet for the Ghanian defender with the idea of him starting against Everton next weekend not an odd one.

Bar one error where a header set up a Levante counter, the 22-year-old was faultless, demonstrating fantastic pace and strength as well as a decent reading of the game.

The midfield was in control thanks to Diallo and Oriol Romeu, who looked comfortable alongside each other, and then, of course, there was Nathan Tella.

Every time the 22-year-old puts on a Saints shirt, it feels like he’s going to conjure up something special. He’s got pace, he’s got skill, he’s got intelligence. In terms of end product, he’s not quite up to scratch yet but it will come with time and it feels like the forward has a big season ahead.

Losing a star player is always tough, but Southampton fans have to remember that there are still some bright prospects in their squad, and the money received for Ings will go towards a replacement. It’s not all doom and gloom just yet.

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