Unai Emery
Unai Emery has explained how he’s yet to sit down with Ashley Young to iron out his Aston Villa future. Young, who turns 38 in July, has just three months remaining on his current deal at Villa Park. The former Manchester United and Inter Milan star has been a shining light this season, totting up 21 appearances in all competitions.
After the World Cup break in December, Young replaced Matty Cash in Villa’s starting XI and started seven games on the spin ahead of the Polish international. However, across Villa’s last three fixtures against Arsenal, Everton and Crystal Palace, head coach Emery has turned to Cash to start at right-back, with the ex-Forest man in good form.
BirminghamLive asked Emery whether Young has a future at Villa Park beyond this season,
Unai Emery replied: “I am very happy with him. He played a lot of matches but, now, he has been on the bench in the last matches behind Matty Cash. Now, I think he’s very important in the dressing room and in the squad. Of course, we have to decide from now until the end of the season about his future. Now, I am happy with him. We have to be clear in the decision about him. I think we can wait because it’s in three months and we will know about his future. He has experience. He is playing well, he’s a good player. His training is good. I am happy with him but the decision is not fixed yet with him.”
Pushed on Young’s age potentially being a factor when it comes down to Villa’s big transfer decision,
Unai Emery added: “Yes but I played with players at 34 years old like Pepe Reina in Villarreal. Now I think the players are extending their career because they are focused on their body and mind and, also, if they don’t have big injuries they can extend their career.”
Young’s right-back rival and teammate Cash, meanwhile, said of his ongoing battle at full-back
Matty Cash said: “The shirt is never mine. You can’t think like that. When Ash came in he did really well and I just needed to take my chance. Every day I just try to get better. If the manager puts me on or if I start, I can do my best.”
