{"id":48902,"date":"2021-08-03T19:18:27","date_gmt":"2021-08-03T08:18:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/astonvilla.co.uk\/ashley-young-may-be-the-signing-of-the-summer\/"},"modified":"2021-08-22T22:52:34","modified_gmt":"2021-08-22T11:52:34","slug":"ashley-young-may-be-the-signing-of-the-summer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/astonvilla.co.uk\/ashley-young-may-be-the-signing-of-the-summer\/","title":{"rendered":"Ashley Young may be the signing of the summer"},"content":{"rendered":"
Former B6 favourite Ashley Young re-signed for the Villans this summer, after spending 18 months in Serie A with title-winning Inter Milan.<\/p>\n
After seeing out his contract in Italy, Villa were quick to respond to Youngs\u2019 desire to return to home shores.<\/p>\n
At 36 years old, this is possibly his last stint in the professional game.<\/p>\n
Dean Smith is an advocate for having members of the squad below the age of 30. However, the opportunity to bring veteran Young into the team was clearly incredibly important to the manager. So much so, he was willing to breach his own principles in order to attain the player.<\/p>\n
The thinking behind the move is clear. Young brings a wealth of experience, know-how, and leadership to help guide a young team. Importantly, he has a flexible skillset meaning he can play a variety of positions.<\/p>\n
With Neil Taylor departing, signing cover at left-back was a necessity. Adding bodies in the wide areas was also desired due to Tr\u00e9z\u00e9guet\u2019s ongoing injury, and the need for increased competition for starting places.<\/p>\n
Smith\u2019s plan to draft several of the youngsters in this season is also a benefit of the move.<\/p>\n
Jacob Ramsey \u2013 a player long admired by the manager \u2013 was given his breakthrough year in the season gone. Carney Chukwuemeka<\/a>, Brad Young, and Louie Barry are amongst those from the academy on course to play growing roles in the fortunes of Villa\u2019s coming season.<\/p>\n For such players, training alongside a player of Young\u2019s pedigree will benefit them no-end as they enter the professional game. With the Premier League, FA Cup, and Europa League just some of the trophies on Young\u2019s mantelpiece, his presence around the place was key in bringing him in.<\/p>\n For those thinking Young has been signed on the basis he can inspire the next generation of Villa youth, think again.<\/p>\n Despite his age, Young continues to play regular football. Between January 2020 and May 2021, he started 29 times for Inter.<\/p>\n Matt Target will still be Smith\u2019s first-choice left-back, however, he will face strong opposition from the new arrival.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n As will the players in Villa\u2019s winger department. Notching 13 goal contributions from his spell on the continent, Young is still a menace to opposing defences. Upon his arrival in Milan, Young scored four, and set up another four, in just half a season!<\/p>\n The manager has spoken of Young\u2019s desire to progress Villa this season. After last years successes, 2021\/22 is about closing the gap between European football and Villa Park.<\/p>\n \u201cI know he is determined to make a real impact with us this season,\u201d said Smith on the signing.<\/p>\nMore than a man<\/h3>\n