Aston Villa veteran Ashley Young included in provisional England World Cup squad – report
Aston Villa veteran Ashley Young was shockingly included in England’s provisional World Cup squad as one of 55 names, according to Matt Law.
The 37-year-old winger-turned-full-back has been a regular in the Villa side this season, filling in for both Lucas Digne and Matty Cash at both right back and left back.
His form and experience has seen him included in the provisional 55-man squad list by Gareth Southgate according to The Telegraph’s Law, although he isn’t expected to be named in the final squad on Thursday (10 November).
“As we all wait for tomorrow’s England squad announcement, I’m told Ashley Young was on Southgate’s provisional 55-man list,” he said on his personal Twitter account.
“No real prospect or expectation of him making the 26-man squad but that’s still pretty incredible for the 37-year-old.”
Amazing
Amazing? Pointless? We’re not really sure what to make of it, especially considering the form that Villa have shown this season.
One obvious point is that Young was part of the England squad at the last World Cup under Gareth Southgate and filled in well in his wing-back positions, so it’s a player that the manager clearly trusts.
But Villa have not been good this season and full-back or wing-back is not a position that England are short on options for like they were four-and-a-half years ago.
His inclusion is arguably a waste of a spot with so many young talents available who could offer just as much if not more, but his experience was probably a mitigating factor.
In the end it doesn’t matter because he won’t be going to Qatar anyway, but it’s a sure-fire boost for the player and hopefully he can use that as fuel to keep going and help get Aston Villa out of any trouble this season.
In other Aston Villa news, trio out of Carabao Cup clash vs Manchester United