View: Transformation of Ashley Young between two Aston Villa stints is miraculous
Sixteen years after making his Aston Villa debut, 37-year-old Ashley Young is still going as strong as ever.
Amidst all the comings and goings at Bodymoor Heath in the summer, the capture of Villa’s once-elaborate winger on another year’s contract was a deal that went ever-so-slightly under the radar.
This season the ex-Manchester United captain has been an ever-present in both Steven Gerrard and Unai Emery’s plans, taking the armband at times and reconfirming his cult hero status with the claret and blue faithful.
The fact is that he is two years older than his former partner in crime, Gabriel Agbonlahor, who is now drinking tea and sharing his football wisdom on TalkSPORT radio on a daily basis is quite miraculous.
Young has made his transformation from a skilful and fleet-footed winger into a dependable fullback look like a mere formality, and he has even supplanted Matty Cash from the Villa starting XI in recent weeks.
The Englishman has undoubtedly contributed to some of Aston VIlla’s most fruitful years in the Premier League and was an absolute menace under former manager Martin O’Neill when arriving in the West Midlands in 2007.
Usually playing on the left wing and forming an potent attack alongside John Carew, Agbonlahor and Stewart Downing, Young dazzled fans with his flamboyancy on the ball and his ability to whip in peachy crosses week after week.
His numbers during his four initial seasons at Villa Park speak for themselves. A mammoth 42 assists alongside 27 goals during this period (via Transfermarkt) saw him called up to Fabio Capello’s England squad and made him one of the most desired players in the leagu]
Eventually, the lures of Champions League football got the better of Young, as he secured a move to Manchester United in 2011 – much to the disappointment of the Villa fanbase.
However, since his reunion with the club in 2021, it’s like he never left. Battling away with the same aggression as the 21-year-old who signed for Villa from Watford, there’s certainly life in the old dog yet.
With the Emery era well and truly underway, the 195-capped Aston Villa veteran will look to add a few more appearances to his ever-flourishing CV.
In other Aston Villa news, Jan Bednarek’s return to Southampton will make no difference to Villa.