Ty Bracey has every faith that Ashley Young is still capable of an Aston Villa performance
We’re delighted to welcome Villa View host Ty Bracey as our exclusive Aston Villa columnist each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at the club…
Ty Bracey is confident in Aston Villa veteran Ashley Young to be able to “put in a shift” and provide cover whenever he is needed this season.
The 37-year-old replaced the injured Matty Cash in the draw with Manchester City on 3 September having previously only featured at the very end of the win over Everton in the league, but put in an excellent performance against the reigning champions.
He followed that up by playing the full 90 minutes in the win over Southampton on Friday (16 September) meaning the Villans are unbeaten in league games he has featured in, and Bracey has “every faith in him” to be up for the challenge this year.
He exclusively told Villa News: “I don’t think Ashley Young probably expected to be a starter every game for Villa this season, but he showed that he’s still at that level.
“He can still perform even at 37 years of age and he was massively important at keeping young Phil Foden at bay on that wing.
“So I have every faith that he’s capable of putting in a shift where we need him to as long as the performances mirror how he played against Man City.
“I think we’ll only ever see him at left-back or right-back. I think we have enough attacking options and shape to only see him at the back.
“But if there was ever a time in desperate need where that’s the shape we’re playing and we need a winger I would say he’d be trusted.”
Young looks like somewhat of a lucky charm currently, so while it is unlikely that Cash will be kept out of the side long-term by the squad’s senior citizen there could be more frequent opportunities for the ex-England international.
There is no doubting his experience and know-how, after almost 400 Premier League appearances, 39 England caps, and 44 outings in Serie A, and while he is no longer the flying winger he was in his first stint at Villa Park he still has the legs to match those much younger than him.
Losing Cash was a blow but the former Inter man is continuing to prove it was a smart move to pick him back up again two summers ago.
In other Aston Villa news, Leon Bailey needs to be played as a winger to see the best of him.