Ty Bracey: Ashley Young undroppable for Aston Villa despite Lucas Digne Newcastle return
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…
Ashley Young “can’t be touched” in the Aston Villa starting XI at the moment despite the return from injury of Lucas Digne, says Ty Bracey.
The 37-year-old veteran stepped in during the draw with Manchester City back on 3 September after Matty Cash went off, then switched to the left upon the Poland international’s return to cover for the simultaneous knock to Digne, and has arguably been the best player in the team during that time.
Bracey feels that a heavy work load of late is the only thing that will get Young out of the line up, but is clear that he should still start for the Saturday (29 October) trip to Newcastle.
Speaking exclusively to Villa News he said: “Yeah he’s been the stand out performer for me since he came on against Man City.
“He’s one person whose place is definitely cemented within that XI.
“It’s good to have competition, it’s healthy, and Ashley Young can play left-back or right-back, so we’ve got that depth there.
“But I really think that Ashley Young is the one player in that XI who can’t be touched recently.
“I don’t think it will be a struggle for Digne to get back in. I don’t imagine it’s easy as a 37-year-old, he’s just played three games in seven days of 90 minutes. He might be feeling a bit tired.
“It hasn’t hindered his performances, but I think maybe against Newcastle you may see 20 minutes of Lucas Digne at the end just for fitness purposes and to give Young a break.
“But I think Ashley Young stays in that XI at left-back personally.”
Incoming manager Unai Emery doesn’t take over until after the Magpies game and it will be interesting to see what decision he makes on Young.
There wasn’t much to choose from in the final weeks of the Steven Gerrard era but the former England international was a stand-out at both full-back positions.
Cash and Digne are the nominal starters but the senior man has provided the new boss with a good problem to have in proving himself so crucial, whilst clearly having maintained excellent fitness despite approaching 40.
In other Aston Villa news, Emery returns to England as a “wiser” manager than during his time with Arsenal.