Ashley Young ready to take next step for Aston Villa and England

Not just because he wants to secure a seat on the plane to South Africa with Fabio Capello's England team for the 2010 World Cup, but because he has a huge role to play in the fight Aston Villa face in continuing their improvement under manager Martin O'Neill. "It is a big year coming up," as Young put it.

It has been quite a 12 months for the 24-year-old, who won the Young Player of the Year award and who insists that the increased interest and exposure has not gone to his head - even the rave reviews of Martin O'Neill, who at one point likened him to Lionel Messi, or the speculation linking him with a high-profile move to clubs such as Chelsea and Real Madrid.

The transfer rumours have been a summer-long irritation for the club. Villa have continually stressed that they would reject any offer received, and Young has for his part responded by reminding everyone that he still has two-and-a-half years left on his contract. "I am a Villa player," he says. "I'm delighted to be playing at this club."

His re-affirmation of his commitment to the cause is a fillip to what has been a bit of a disappointing close season, especially given that O'Neill has yet to make more than one signing - Stewart Downing.

A shoulder injury to Stiliyan Petrov, who has flown home from the club's pre-season base in Spain, has merely compounded their pre-season difficulties. Villa are, however, still in the semi-finals of the Peace Cup, and should they defeat Porto on Friday night, face the rather thrilling possibility of playing either Juventus or Real Madrid in the final on Sunday night in Seville.

Young will relish the chance of competing against former Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo, another player with whom he has been compared, if they were to play Madrid.

However, happy to be likened to Real's Ronaldo in football terms, he explains that the Portuguese can keep the trimmings that come with superstardom to himself. "We are totally different," he says. "I like to keep myself to myself, and get on with playing football." A good job, too - if Villa are to compete this season they will need a Young without distractions.


Source: Telegraph