Ashley Young
Posted in2020-2021-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Aston Villa secure #AshleyYoung signing as Burnley miss out #AVFC

June 18, 2021
BURNLEY have missed out on the signing of Ashley Young after the former England international rejoined Aston Villa on a free transfer from Inter Milan. The Clarets saw the versatile 35-year-old as someone who could help supplement them in wide areas and at one point looked to be in pole position to secure his signature. Young, who scored 38 goals in 190 appearances for Villa between 2006 and 2011, has however signed a one-year contract to return to Villa Park. “It feels amazing to be back, it feels like I’ve not left,” he said. “I’m just delighted to be back, seeing some old faces, being back at the training ground, seeing the facilities and how well they’ve grown. “You can see how much the club has evolved since my time and I’m just ready to get down to work now.” Young, who won 39 England caps and travelled to Euro 2012 and the 2018 World Cup, joined Villa from Watford before leaving for Manchester United. He won the Premier League, FA Cup, League Cup and Europa League while at Old Trafford before moving to Inter – where he clinched the Serie A title last season – in January 2020. Young, who can operate at full-back or on the wing, has made 369 Premier League appearances in total and had also been linked with a return to Watford before opting for Villa Park. “When I heard of the interest from Aston Villa, it was straight to my agent, ‘get a deal done, whatever you can, get a deal done’,” he added. “I think someone said (about me), ‘he’s coming to the end of his career’, ‘he hasn’t got that hunger any more’, ‘he’s just going there for a swansong’… “That’s not me at all, I’ve still got that winning mentality, that winners’ attitude, that desire and hunger to go and win.” Head coach Dean Smith said: “Ashley brings with him a wealth of experience of top-level football both at club and international level and he is joining having just won a league championship in Italy. “He is a player who can play in a number of positions and, having spoken to him at length, I know he is determined to make a real impact with us this season.”
Dean Smith Aston Villa
Posted in2020-2021-Season Daily News

#PLStories- #DeanSmith gives an update on all injured Aston Villa players #AVFC

March 7, 2021
Dean Smith has joked how he's told Jack Grealish he's not a guaranteed starter for Aston Villa when he's back fighting fit. The captain watched Villa's goalless draw with Wolves from the Trinity Road Stand alongside Matty Cash as Villa claimed a point against their near-neighbours. It was the fourth game on the spin Villa have had to make do without their skipper as he continues to recover from a lower leg issue. As for Smith, he explained how he spoke to Grealish, 25, prior to kick-off against Wolves with the pair exchanging some light-hearted jibes. "He was close," Smith said, when asked if Grealish was close to being fit for Wolves. "He was running on the AlterG (anti-gravity treadmill) on Thursday and Friday. "Hopefully, we can get him on the grass this week. I saw him before the game and he said to me if he gets on the grass he's playing. But I said to him, 'I've got to pick you first!' which he also laughed at as well..." Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will auto-play soon8Cancel With Grealish touch-and-go for Friday's trip to Newcastle, just how is Villa's squad shaping up? Against Wolves, Morgan Sanson and Bertrand Traore were taken off after picking up slight knocks while stand-in captain Tyrone Mings soldiered on after an apparent ankle injury after landing awkwardly in a duel with Fabio Silva. Read More Related Articles Read More Related Articles Here's Smith's rundown on Villa's walking wounded after the Wolves draw: BERTRAND TRAORE INJURY: KNEE SMITH SAID: "Berto's OK as well. I just decided not to take the risk knowing it was three games in such a short period. When I saw him I thought it was his hamstring at first but when I got the green light from the doctor I just thought to get him off as a precaution really." TYRONE MINGS (Image: PA) INJURY: ANKLE SMITH SAID: "Tyrone's fine. He's had some ice on it now but I got the green light from the medical staff so that's why he continued." MORGAN SANSON (Image: PA) INJURY: ACHILLES/ANKLE SMITH SAID: "It was a normal football knock you get in a derby match. He'll be fine and will be back training on Monday. I thought it was a really good performance from Morgan, especially first half. "I thought he tired, which is what I expected because it was his first Premier League start. The intensity is a lot quicker than the French league. In training he's been really good and deserved his starting place today. He's showed what a good player he will be for us." ANWAR EL GHAZI INJURY: INFECTED TOE SMITH SAID: "He'll get some antibiotics into him and I’m sure he’ll be fine and train either Monday or Tuesday."