Ashley Young

Ashley Simon Young (born 9 July 1985 in Stevenage, Hertfordshire) is an English Association footballer who currently plays as a midfielder for Aston Villa F.C.. Young has a younger brother, Lewis Young who plays for Watford F.C..

Club career

Watford

Despite having been turned away by Watford's Academy after an unsuccessful spell, Young endeavoured to improve himself as a player and was eventually offered a professional deal by the club. The 18-year-old was handed his first team début under Ray Lewington in September 2003, scoring as a Substitute (football) against Millwall F.C.. He achieved five substitute appearances that season, scoring three goals, and made his first start for the club in the Football League Cup. Young came to prominence in the 2004–05 in English football season, playing a part in 34 of Watford's league matches as they struggled to survive in the Football League Championship. Although he failed to find the net, he supplied several assists. His performance during this season earned him the club's Young Player of the Season award.

Under Aidy Boothroyd in the 2005–06 in English football season, Young was given a new lease of life as a striker. Young started 41 League matches, finding the net 15 times, as Watford qualified for the Playoff English League promotion playoffss and eventually beat Leeds United A.F.C. 3–0 to gain promotion to the Premier League.

In the January 2007 transfer window, three clubs made Pound sterling5 million offers for the Under-21 International. Watford rejected these approaches, as well as (as of 12 January 2007) an offer of £7 million, again from an unnamed club

An improved offer of nearly Pound sterling10 million from West Ham United F.C. was accepted. However, Young rejected the move, opting to wait for offers from clubs for whom relegation was not an issue.

Aston Villa

On 18 January 2007, Aston Villa had an Pound sterling8 million offer (rising to £9.75 million with add-ons), accepted - the club's record transfer fee. This allowed manager Martin O'Neill and the Aston Villa board to discuss personal terms with the player. Two days later O'Neill confirmed the player had "verbally agreed" to join the club. Young underwent a medical on 21 January and the signing was confirmed on 23 January 2007. On 31 January, he went on to score in his debut for Villa at St James' Park against Newcastle United F.C., but Villa went on to lose 3–1. Ashley Young started the 2007-08 season well, receiving several Man of the Match awards. The good start was highlighted by his callup to the England Squad.

On 20 April 2008, Young scored 2 goals and assisted two goals for Aston Villa against Birmingham City F.C at Villa Park and Villa went on to win the game 5–1. He also scored a stunning winner against Danish side Odense Boldklub in Villa's home leg of the UEFA Intertoto Cup 3rd round.

In the 2007–08 Premier League season, Young finished second to Cesc Fàbregas in assists with 17. Young was included in the Premier League Team of the Year, and apart from Portsmouth F.C.'s David James (footballer), he was the only other player who did not come from any of the 'Big Four' (Chelsea F.C., Arsenal F.C., Liverpool F.C. and Manchester United F.C.) to make it into the best XI of the season. He is known for his electric pace, set pieces, running around defenders and ability to pass and shoot.

On 10th October 2008 Ashley Young won the Player of the Month award. This was due to his brilliant performances in the 2008-2009 premier league campaign with Aston Villa. Having also picked up the award in April 2008 Young joins an elite band of players, including Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and Steven Gerrard, who have won the award more than once. Despite this he is still yet to feature in Fabio Cappello's England squad.

International career

As a result of his form for Watford during the 2005–06 season, in February 2006 Young earned a call-up to Peter Taylor (footballer born 1953)'s England U21 League squad to face an Italian Serie B squad alongside team-mate Chris Eagles. Young started alongside Eagles in the 1–0 win, playing the first half. His continued form into the 2006–07 in English football season earned him a first England national under-21 football team call-up to face Switzerland national under-21 football teams in September 2006. Young played the last 15 minutes of the match as England scored a late goal to win 3–2, topping their group, and reaching a playoff for a place in the 2007 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship. At the finals Young played three times. He is no longer eligible for the U21s.

On 31 August 2007, Steve McClaren called Young up to the full England national football team squad for the first time to face Russia national football team and Israel national football team in the Euro 2008 qualifiers. He was again called up for the Euro 2008 qualifiers to face Estonia national football team and Russia national football team. On 16 November 2007 Young finally made his international debut and came on as a half-time substitute for England in a friendly against Austria national football team.

Personal

He currently lives in Stourbridge, West Midlands (county).

Young has two brothers in Watford F.C. Academy system. Lewis Young is a second year scholar, and Kyle Young trains with Watford's under 11s. Ashley is an Arsenal F.C. fan (Ian Wright was his favourite player) and his parents are Tottenham Hotspur F.C. supporters. His brothers are all Arsenal F.C. supporters, despite all playing for Watford.

Ashley Young was in the same year at The John Henry Newman School as Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton, and they played football in the same team.

On the 22nd of September The Sun issued a story regarding Ashley Young being held up in his BMW by a crack addict with a knife and being robbed for his £11,000 watch. The Crack Addict was later caught and jailed for 5 years.

Career statistics

Last Updated: 28/09/08

Honours

Watford
2004–05
- Watford Young Player of The Season

2005–06
- Championship Play-Off Winner

Aston Villa

2007–08
- Member of PFA Team of The Year
- Player of the Month Award

2008–09
- Player of the Month Award