(Credit: Imago)

Josh Edwards

Thu 30 April 2026 18:00, UK

Aston Villa players have sent their best wishes to Ashley Young as he called it a day on his playing career.

Young has certainly had a playing career to talk about, but at the ripe old age of 40, he announced via his Instagram that he will be hanging up his boots at the end of the campaign.

The former Villans star has made 13 appearances for Ipswich Town this season, and may still have it in him to make one more as they search for a way back into the Premier League ahead of the last game of the season.

Young is most known for his time with Man United, having made 261 appearances there across nine years at Old Trafford, with Villa Park is second home with 242 appearances.

Having announced his plans to retire, various Aston Villa players reacted to the news and sent messages to the veteran international.

How did Aston Villa stars react to Ashley Young announcement?

Given that he spent four years at Villa Park, Young encountered many Villa players, some of whom are still having a part to play today.

Tyrone Mings, Anwar El Ghazi, John McGinn and Jacob Ramsey are just a handful of the former Villa stars who sent their best wishes to him.

• John McGinn: What a guy. Legend 💜
• Anwar El Ghazi: It was a pleasure playing with you, brother ❤️ All the best for you and your family.
• Tyrone Mings: Congrats, my mate ❤️
• Gabriel Agonblahor: LEGEND
• Ezri Konsa: ❤️❤️
• Keinan Davis: Inspiration!

Young scored 36 goals for Aston Villa across his two spells with the club, while also contributing 33 assists.

While his second spell was certainly not as successful as his first, Young will certainly still go down as a Villa legend.

What could be next for Young?

As we’ve seen with the likes of Michael Carrick, Steven Gerrard, and Frank Lampard, various ex-England stars have gone on to manage in the Premier League, and he may be the next to add to the list.

Villa are said to have already discussed a potential coaching role for the 40-year-old once his playing days are over, which is fast approaching.

His experience at the top will certainly put him in good standing should that be the route he takes after the end of the season.