England international Ashley Young on the verge of signing new Aston Villa deal
Quite possibly Aston Villa's best player, Ashley Young is on the verge of penning a new long term contract with the club.
The former Liverpool manager and current Aston Villa boss, Gerard Houllier, confirmed earlier today that Ashley Young has agreed to pen a new four year contract at the club and that this signing will take place sooner rather
than later.
Young currently had two years left on his contract and it was feared that the player would consider his options elsewhere. This is why Houllier made retaining the player one of his primary targets at the club and it seems
like the manager might just achieve what he set out to do.
Young has had a completely different season at Villa Park this season as he has not been his impactful self and the Young that everyone grew fond of over the years seems to have disappeared into thin air. Young has not been
scoring goals or getting the same number of assists that he used to in the past. Some might say that this is because the player is now playing in the new position behind the striker; however Young seems to be lacking more in passion and hunger. Houllier will
have a tough task at trying to rekindle the spark in the player again, but if he manages to do just that, he might just win over the fans and ensure a long term stay at the club.
Houllier also went on to state that he wished to see Young back in the England squad and helping the national team reach never before seen levels of success. It seems like the manager has set out to ensure that his players
are happy, and that they don’t work or play in fear of the manager.
Houllier was reported to have said, "The good news should come early, sooner rather than later."
"Ashley, to me, has international qualities.”
"He is clever, reads the game well, works hard, is quick, has got quick feet, can score goals, make goals, takes part in movements to prepare goals.”
"Whether he can play for the national team is not down to me.”
"All I know is that we want the player to step up another level because he is on the fringe of the international team.”
"I want him to be a regular player (for England).”
Houllier ended by stating that the only way players would and could improve their game was if they were happy with how and when they were playing. The manager feels the only way to do that is by allowing the player’s room
for freedom and taking what they say into consideration at all times.
This way the players are happy, and if the players are happy they perform better for the club. All in all it seems Houllier is being an optimist and is hoping for a win-win situation, which he might just achieve.
Tags: