View: On this day in 2007 Aston Villa signed Ashley Young from Watford
If you were to jump into the Delorian from Back to the Future and travel back to January 23 2007, the news of Ashley Young signing for Aston Villa would greet you.
Sixteen years and 197 appearances later, the Englishman is still rolling back the years for Unai Emery’s side and more than justifying his spot in the starting lineup at right-back ahead of Matty Cash.
His never-give-up attitude alongside his tactical nous have helped him establish a Villa legacy that fans definitely would not have expected when he signed from Watford in 2007.
Upon signing the dotted line for a then club-record fee of £9.65million, the 21-year-old was a somewhat speculative signing by Martin O’Neill and one who was not expected to rise through the ranks initially upon signing.
He was ironically seen as a future investment for the club as they attempted to break into the Premier League top-four and joined just a day after a striker by the name of John Carew.
After the club completed the signature of Young, O’Neill said: “My own view is he will prove terrific value. He is only a young fellow and I have no doubt at all he is good enough.
“You think along the lines of ‘Will somebody be of value over the next four or five years’ and you base your decision on that.
“I believe Ashley is capable of great things.” [Daily Mail]
Great things have followed Young’s career, that’s for sure.
After signing for the club, he helped Aston Villa secure three sixth-place finishes in a row, alongside a Carling Cup final and a FA Cup semi-final in 2010.
His goalscoring output in those initial three seasons at the club was quite remarkable. In his debut campaign, the Englishman netted eight goals, contributed 16 assists and was named in the Premier League Team of the Year.
Usually playing on the left wing, Young dazzled fans with his lightning-quick pace and bagful of flicks and tricks on a weekly basis – forming a potent attacking force alongside Gabby Agbonlahor.
His form at Villa Park during his initial four-season spell – 42 goals and 27 assists – helped force his way into Fabio Capello’s England plans, eventually representing his country 39 times in all competitions.
After leaving the West Midlands for Manchester United and returning once more to Villa Park in 2021, Young’s legacy continues to go from strength to strength.
Now donning the title of club captain and leading Emery’s assault on the top half of the Premier League table, it is quite right that Young’s achievements are remembered on the anniversary of his signing.
In other Aston Villa news, a 17-year-old academy prospect has signed his first professional contract with the club.