Man Utd target focusing on Aston Villa
Ashley Young has refused to dismiss the possibility of leaving Aston Villa this summer but has vowed to stay committed as the underperforming second city side battle to end a disappointing campaign in the top half of the Premier League table.
The winger, who has often been deployed behind the striker in recent months yet showed away to West Ham last weekend why he has spent most of his Villa career playing in a wide position, is widely expected to exit Villa Park later this year, with Manchester United a possible destination.
The former Watford trainee shelved talks about a contract extension earlier in the season and instead insisted on waiting until the summer to discuss his future, prompting accusations of a lack of commitment, though he is gradually regaining the form that made him so popular with Villa fans.
He said: "If you see the performance I put in against West Ham, you'll see I'm fully committed to the club."
The 25-year-old is likely to attract the interest of several top Premier League clubs, with Liverpool one of the ones obviously lacking on the wings and Manchester United constantly mentioned despite the presence of Nani, Antonio Valencia and Park Ji-Sung in their squad.
He appears determined to ensure that if he does move away from the midlands that he does so with the blessing of his current employers though and salvaging a hugely underwhelming season with a top-ten finish at [1.85] would definitely go some way to achieving that goal.
Gerard Houllier's team are currently in ninth and still have home games against Stoke, Wigan and Liverpool - who may have less to fight for on the final day than themselves - while they must visit West Brom and Arsenal.
Can Houllier earn himself a second campaign? Have your say below...
Published: 19 Apr 2011
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