Back in claret and blue: Ashley Young in 2011 (©AFP)
Back in claret and blue: Ashley Young in 2011 (©AFP)

Old Young returns to the club that made him an England international

Reading Time: 2min | Thu. 17.06.21. | 21:51

After two years in Italy, Ashley Young returns to his homeland and signs for his old club Aston Villa

Aston Villa have brought Ashley Young back to England. The 35-year-old left Inter Milan as a free agent and accepted a one-plus-one-year contract from his old club. Young played for Villa between 2007 and 2011 as a winger. He left to join Manchester United in a $20 million deal as one of the hottest wide players in the country. Ten years after leaving – he's back at Villa Park.

"It feels amazing to be back - it feels like I've not left. 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. When I heard of the interest from Aston Villa, I called my agent and urged him to get a deal done."

Boss Dean Smith wants an experienced and versatile replacement for full-backs Ahmed Elmohamady and Neil Taylor, who left the club this summer. Smith sees Young as an ideal option as he can play on both flanks and bring him a significant amount of experience. He'd be an excellent backup to both Matt Targett and Matt Cash.

"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 several positions, and, having spoken to him at length, I know he is determined to make a real impact with us this season."

Although he's now considered a veteran, Young insists that he came to fight for a place in the team and that he won't settle for being an old man around the dressing room.

"For me to come here, not to just be around the squad, I want to come here and play. Competition for places, I've had it at every club I've played at, so I'm just delighted to be back here, challenging, challenging the players who were here last season and bringing my qualities and experience to this squad."

Young will now be looking to add to the 369 Premier League appearances. He'd also represented England 39 times.


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Ashley YoungAston VillaInter Milan

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