Time to map out a plan for Villa's future
- Says blogger Matthew Turvey
Villa set to hold on to Ashley Young
Friday 13th August 2010, 11:30AM BST.
Villa look set to fend off interest from Tottenham and hold on to Ashley Young after “positive” talks with the winger.
Sources close to the England winger suggest Young will not look to imminently follow Manchester City-bound James Milner and manager Martin O’Neill out of the club after encouraging discussions yesterday.
It is understood Villa are ready to offer the former Watford star, who is already their highest earner on £65,000-a-week, an extended deal on improved terms in a bid to keep him out of the clutches of Tottenham, along with Liverpool and Everton, who have also been keeping tabs on the midfielder’s situation.
The Villa board are believed to be conscious of not wanting to lose another popular player so soon after Milner – if his move to Eastlands goes through.
However, it is believed Young, who has two years left on his current contract, will wait to discover the identity of Villa’s new manager before deciding on his long-term future.
The likelihood is Young will assess his options in January when O’Neill’s replacement is in place, the extent of Villa’s ambitions will be clear and the finer points of a new contract will have been thrashed out.
Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp has often spoke of his admiration for Young, who has been hailed as a “genius” by O’Neill.
Young gave a glimpse of his potential by setting up both goals for England skipper Steven Gerrard during the 2-1 win over Hungary at Wembley on Wednesday night.
Speculation today also claims Curtis Davies could be another who is offered a new deal – despite being told by O’Neill that he was surplus to requirements mere months ago.
The defender, who could be fit to start alongside Richard Dunne against West Ham tomorrow, has reportedly been told he still has a future at Villa.
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good news if Ashley stays…but big news is that Bob Bradley is leaving america today and will be installed as Villa boss monday!!!!!
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£65000/week for young & close to that for Petrov (read it somewhere else), no wonder the club is in financial problems. Petrov will be getting £70000/week in final year of his 4 year contract !!
We signed Young from Watford not Inter Milan, so why is he on £65k/week already ? Spurs do not pay this kind of wage. Young was not even well known when we signed him.
Someone at the club (maybe Lerner) needs to take responsibilty for not controlling O’Neill earlier. Petrov was given a 4 year contract on top wage, why ?
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