RALPH Hasenhuttl refused to be drawn into questioning surrounding Danny Ings after he was ruled out of Friday's meeting, but insisted: “I have absolutely no problem with what happened, we had a very good last talk.”

The 29-year-old former Saints striker was due to make his first return to St Mary’s with Aston Villa, following his £30million move in the summer.

But after missing their 4-1 defeat to West Ham last weekend, he was one of a trio of first-teamers who Villa manager Dean Smith ruled out of the next contest too, due to injury concerns.

The Winchester-born frontman scored 46 goals in 100 competitive appearances for Saints over three seasons, signing initially on loan from Liverpool.

The manner in which his departure came about left Saints’ supporters shocked and disappointed, no less with the move to Aston Villa rather than a European challenger like had been previously touted.

Daily Echo: The most prolific spells of Danny Ings' career have come in Saints colours (Pic: PA)The most prolific spells of Danny Ings' career have come in Saints colours (Pic: PA)

Hasenhuttl was quizzed whether he was ‘disappointed’ that his former star-striker had been ruled out, but refused to be drawn into the question.

Speaking ahead of the meeting, he answered: “When I say yes, then you will say that I still miss him.

“When I say no, then you will say that we do not care of him anymore. So whatever I answer I think it’s bad.

“I think what I can answer is that it doesn’t matter, the team that comes is the team that we have to play a good game against.”

He continued: “I have seen him so far this season playing in a different shirt. I have absolutely no problem with what happened, we had a very good last talk when he was leaving and also afterward I have complimented him for scoring goals."

Daily Echo: Ollie Watkins and youngster Cameron Archer will likely be tasked to fill Danny Ings' void (Pic: PA)Ollie Watkins and youngster Cameron Archer will likely be tasked to fill Danny Ings' void (Pic: PA)

Ings has scored three in nine in the Premier League, since his move to Villa.

“He’s a fantastic lad and one of the guys you want to meet again when you’re not working with him anymore. I think he did a fantastic job for this club, the club got a lot of money for him when he was leaving and we wish him all the best.

“That’s what football is, you don’t always work with a player or a manager for 10/15 years. It’s a very quick changing business and you have to get adapted to it otherwise you cannot do this job.”

Smith’s Aston Villa travel to St Mary’s on the back of four consecutive defeats in the Premier League, having conceded 12 goals in that time.

With Bertrand Traoré and Douglas Luiz still out, and important centre-back Ezri Konsa suspended following a red card, Ings’ absence adds a body-blow on what will be a youthful Villa side.