17 April 2023 , 14:00
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Aston Villa club captain Ashley Young is keen to stay this summer but could be forced to move abroad if the Villans don’t firm up their interest soon.
Ex-Manchester United veteran Young continued to impress for Villa this term in the Premier League. The ace has made 47 top-flight appearances since returning to the club in June 2021 on a free transfer.
Villa boss Unai Emery wants Young to stay after the right-back signed a new one-year deal last July. But Young, who played for Villa previously from 2007-2011 before moving to United, is due to be out of contract again at the end of this season. Talks over fresh terms are yet to start and it has opened the door for interest from abroad, including the MLS, with the ace now at liberty to speak to overseas clubs.
Young made his latest appearance on Saturday in Villa’s stunning 3-0 home win over high-flying Newcastle.
He started at right-back for the fourth game running following an injury to Polish international Matty Cash. And he impressed in an emphatic home win which ended Newcastle’s five-game running run.
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Now Young is keen to sort out his future ahead of turning 38 in July.
Former Villa boss Steven Gerrard was a huge fan of Young’s versatility, experience and influence in the dressing room where he made him club captain. Young, who won 39 England caps, can provide cover at full-back on either flank and operate higher up the pitch too.
His value has not been lost on Gerrard’s successor Emery whose sixth-placed side are bidding to qualify for Europe next season.
Young boasts a glittering CV after winning the Premier League, FA Cup, League Cup, Europa League and Community Shield with United from 2011-2020. He then won Serie A with Inter Milan after 18 months in Italy under Antonio Conte.
Now the evergreen star hopes to help Villa into Europe and pen fresh terms at the club to keep playing until he is almost 39.